This recipe is just 2 ingredients and it produces a rich, decadent, individual-sized, flourless Nutella cake.
Last week my first cookbook released! I am overwhelmed by all the support of family, friends and readers who purchased the book. To celebrate the book release, I am sharing my absolute favorite recipe from the book.
Two years ago, I created a 2 Ingredient Nutella Flourless Cake. The recipe went viral on the internet and I’ve seen it shared (sometimes without credit -_-) on numerous blogs, publications, youtube videos, etc. To date, it remains the most read post on my blog and it’s definitely a recipe I’m quite proud of.
The original recipe is unbelievable. An absolutely delicious cake with just the use of Nutella and eggs. For months, I tried to figure out a way to make a mug cake version, and I finally was able to produce an equally delicious version with far less work for my new book.
The prep work is super easy. It’s simpler than the full baked cake version which requires the eggs to be whipped to three times the volume. However, there is one downside. You do need to let this cake sit and cool before eating. I recommend waiting around 2-3 hours. If you try to eat the cake right away, the flavors will not have fully developed and it will taste eggy. Wait 2-3 hours and you’ll have the same rich and decadent flavors of my original recipe. (If you simply can’t wait, then I recommend you try my 4-Ingredient Nutella Mug Cake or 3-Ingredient Nutella Brownie which can both be enjoyed much sooner.)
What I love about this recipe is that you can dress it up with some powdered sugar and fruit and serve it at a party, with each person getting their own individual cake. When the cake is finished cooking, it will pull away from the sides (even though your mug is ungreased), so that you can easily serve it on a plate or in some ramekins. I don’t recommend cooking them directly in the ramekins though. While the final cake isn’t too tall because it is flourless, it does rise significantly in the microwave, so you do want to make it in a mug to prevent it from spilling over and making a mess.
Note: When debating how to display the cake, I tried to stuff it in a ramekin but the cake was a little too wide and I couldn’t quite completely stuff it in, which is why it seems to be overflowing and taller than the version on the plate. I liked how it looked though, so I kept it like that for some photos.
Below, is the excerpt for the recipe. Please do not reprint the recipe anywhere else and if you wish to share the recipe, link back to this post instead.
As mentioned above, this recipe is featured in my new cookbook* of nearly 100 mug cakes!
*Some of the links contained in this post are affiliate links. Much like referral codes, this means I earn a small commission if you purchase a product I referred (at no extra charge to you).
2 Ingredient Flourless Nutella Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 4 tbsp (74g) Nutella spread
Instructions
- Break egg into an oversized microwave-safe mug and whisk. Even though the final cake will not be that tall, it will rise quite a bit while cooking, so make sure you use a mug to cook it in. The finished cake will pull away from the sides so you can easily remove and plate it or put in a small ramekin.
- Add Nutella and whisk vigorously until the batter is smooth and the egg is fully incorporated. Because the mixture is so dark, it will be hard to see if egg streaks remain. Lift your whisk a couple times to make sure you don’t see evidence of unmixed egg still in the batter.
- Cook in microwave for about 1 minute. Cake will look the slightest bit gooey on top, but as long as the cake has risen and is set, it should be ready. Let cake sit for several hours (I recommend 2-3) before eating, so the chocolate hazelnut flavor can fully develop and overcome any eggy taste.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
became a nutella egg sludge
Hm, that’s definitely not how it should be. Are you sure you cooked it long enough – it should look set but still be gooey. Also, you need to let it rest for at least a couple of hours so the flavors can develop. If you eat it right after cooking it, it will have an egg test and be gooey.
I was a little bit skeptical about a 2 ingredient cake, and it didn’t look too appealing when I took out of the microwave (I think I only gave it like 10 mins to rest :p) but oh was I pleasantly surprised!! Thank you so much for introducing me to something so simple and delicious!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I just made this and it was just as easy and yummy as described. I had to microwave mine for an additional 30 seconds to get it to rise up the mug. It was perfect, smooth, moist….lovely. Not a bite was left on anyones plate. I served it with vanilla ice cream with a little raspberry sauce. I have no time and am not a great cook. Thanks for making me look good. Much appreciated.
I’ve made this a dozen times and never waited to eat it.
I think it’s okay to eat straight away too, but the Nutella flavor definitely deepens if you wait and you won’t have any “eggy” taste at all
Loved this so much I have a recipe crush on it and told all my readers! https://www.shockinglydelicious.com/recipe-crushes-7-great-recipes-from-food-bloggers/
thank you!!
Ok first of all, patience is something I really lack. For example I think saying i waited 30 seconds after pulling it out of the microwave is a bit of an exaggeration (in my favor). Second, I loved it right out of the microwave! It reminded me of the fudgey cake that had the fudge in the middle. This was so good and easy! Thank you for sharing! ????
haha, that is awesome! so glad you liked it!
How do I get your cookbook? What I’ve seen looks amazing
Just click on the links in the post directing you to the amazon page! You can also buy from most major booksellers, in-store and online. =)
I haven’t tried it yet, but would love to. I was aslo wondering if you could use almond butter as an example.
It’s not a 2 ingredient recipe, but here is my version with almond butter: https://kirbiecravings.com/2015/07/flourless-almond-butter-mug-cake.html
Hi,
I made it but I was wondering should it sit out on the counter for 3 hrs or is it better to put it in
the re fridge ?
let it cool on the counter!
Mine turned out jiggly too! And it rose up and overflowed from the mug (I used an 11 oz mug). Is there any way I can prevent this? Thank you for the recipe 🙂
what do you mean by jiggly? You can try using a bigger mug, like 18 oz. 11 is a little small because it does rise a lot before condensing back down
Hi, I just used this recipe and I am so glad! I had no flour or self raising flour because I barely use it, and I was craving cake. However, when I heated it up in the microwave, the shape wasn’t very clean and the outer parts were leaning in. How do you make a perfect shape of a cake?
As you can see, mine isn’t perfect either! I dont know if there is a way to guarantee a perfect shape for this. it’s basically similar to a souffle, so it will collapse a little and lean certain ways. you can test out with different mugs. some heat more evenly and will create a prettier shape than others.
Who needs perfect shape cakes, this recipe will definitely be part of our Christmas meal served with strawberry coulis
cakes definitely don’t need to be perfectly shaped =)
I just made this and I am now waiting for it to set,
Do you have to wait 2 hours or can you eat it straight away
you need to let it set so the chocolate flavor further develops. otherwise it will be a bit eggy straight away. but after about 2 hours, it’s super rich chocolate flavor
you need to let it set so the chocolate flavor further develops. otherwise it will be a bit eggy straight away. but after about 2 hours, it’s super rich chocolate flavor.
Hi
Do you have the nutritional information of this recipe?
Do you think it would work if I used cocoa or peanut butter in place of nutella?
Sorry I do not provide nutritional information for my recipes but there are plenty of online resources you can use to analyze nutritional content of a recipe. it will not work with cocoa. I have made a peanut butter version, though it’s a different texture and taste from this: https://kirbiecravings.com/2014/05/flourless-peanut-butter-mug-cake-3.html
My son wants a Nutella cake for his birthday dessert so I googled and found this!
When u let it settle for a few hours, do u just leave it in the mug? covered or uncovered?
yes leave it in the mug unconvered
I wanted to try the 3 ingredient nutella mug cake, but my house is apparently nuts and doesn’t keep flour around! So I tried this, and since I’m lazy, I liked that I had to wait until it was done so I could do things I needed to do. I can’t wait to taste it!
Oh nice! Yeah if I’m going to make this, I usually make it right before i’m about to leave for somewhere, so then when I come back home a few hours later, it’s ready!
I just made it and it turned jiggly and not cake like. Is it supposed to be like that?
it doesnt have a fluffy cake-type texture but it also shouldn’t be jiggly. it should be pretty solid and look like the photo
Can I use egg whites instead of a full egg
no this recipe requires an entire egg
How many Watt? because my microwave has 160/350/500/750/1000 watt options.. so which one should i use? thanks 😀
1000watts
To someone like me who’s never cooked or baked before, this is heaven! I’m going to try it out for Christmas this year! Thank you so much! You’re a lifesaver 😀
I’m so glad you enjoy it!!
Well I made this using a bowl, and the aftermath came like some kind of pancake sized nutella cake! Breakfast is served! Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
mmm, sounds good! glad you liked it!
Eggs come in 5 sizes, could you please specify how many grams egg is?
Are you using 500mls mug size or larger?
I’m using US measurements here. I believe 1 large egg is about 50 grams without the shell. I used a 12 oz mug.
hello i want to try your recipe it looks delicious but i dont have a microwave and i plan to buy it so, do you have a suggestion what brands should i buy? thanks 🙂
i have no recommendations. the microwaves I have used always come with the house and I’ve never tested out different ones
Hello! I made 2 recipes today. The egg-less peanut butter one and this one. I have to ask ’cause it happened to me with both recipes: Does heating it too much may cause the cake to turn out dry? Both cakes turned out dry and the only thing I can think of is that maybe 1 minute may be too much in my microwave? I used exact amount of ingredients, so… Thank you 🙂
yes if you overcook, it can turn too dry. Perhaps your microwave is very powerful. You may want to try again with reducing the cooking time.
Would this work with nut-free chocolate spread or is it only Nutella which is magical? 🙂
I dont think a nut free choc spread will work as a direct substitute. Nutella just happens to have the right amount of oils and a great binding texture that makes it work. I’m sure there are ways to make it work with other spreads, but the recipe ratio would likely be different. Also because Nutella is magical 😉
I made this recipe last week! Very tasty and easy! The most time consuming part was just scooping out 4 tbsp of nutella into the mug. I still can’t believe it works with just two ingredients!
Nutella is a magical ingredient. =)
This is an amazing recipe and idea! I almost don’t believe that it is two ingredients… I have to try the recipe!
I’ve made it many times and I’m always amazed at how good it tastes!
Is your book sold at Barnes and Nobles at the store? How was the texture with this recipe?
it’s at barnes and noble online right now. as for physical stores, i think it will vary by location and I don’t know exactly when they will get them in, but they should eventually be there. the texture of the cake is similar to other flourless cakes, more dense and rich rather than fluffy and light.
Can’t wait to go through your book (I should be getting it tomorrow)! Nice trick with this simple one. It looks so chocolatey 🙂
yay! I hope you like the book!