This single serving chocolate mug cake uses cake mix and cooks in the microwave in just one minute. No need for eggs, oil, or having to make an entire cake.
Because some days you only have enough time and energy to make a cake mix cake.
I’ve spent the last few years sharing many mug cake recipes that are pretty quick and easy, but they are all from-scratch cakes that require several ingredients. The most common issue that people seem to have when they want to make one of my mug cakes is that they are missing an ingredient, especially baking powder. However, most people do have cake mix on hand.
I had some leftover cake mix and I was wondering what to do with it when it occurred to me to try making a mug cake with the cake mix. I’ve used it to make chewy chocolate cookies before so why not a mug cake?
To my surprise, when I did a little research online to see if such recipes existed, most of the mug cakes that used cake mix also required oil, water and a fraction of an egg. Or they would require using other not as common ingredients like angel cake mix.
I was convinced there must be a way to make the mug cake without the egg because no one likes dealing with a fraction of an egg.
After several trials (I actually finished all the leftover cake mix and had to open a new one), I finally made a few versions that I’m happy with. This chocolate mug cake is soft, fluffy and moist. It does have a little bit looser crumb since there is no egg acting as a binding agent, but if you are eating it in a mug, this shouldn’t be an issue.
I don’t usually like to make cake mix cakes, but this is a quick way to satisfy your cake cravings without a lot of work or clean-up. Do you have an air fryer? You should check out my Air Fryer Cake Mix Mug Cake, too. I’ve also made a Cake Mix Lava Cake inspired by this recipe! You can check also find the rest of my mug cake recipes here.
Find all my recipe videos on my youtube page.
3 Ingredient Chocolate Cake Mix Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 6 tbsp chocolate cake mix (see note)
- 1 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tbsp semisweet chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- In a microwave-safe mug, add cake mix, water and applesauce. Mix with a mini whisk until batter is smooth. If using chocolate chips, add and stir in 1 tbsp into the batter. Sprinkle remaining over top of the batter.
- Cook in the microwave at full power for 1 minute. Allow cake to cool a few minutes before eating.
Video
Notes
- I tested this with Pillsbury and Betty Crocker cake mixes.
- I know some people might not keep applesauce on hand,but I found that it really helped keep the cake super moist and also helped bind it together better. If you don't have applesauce on hand, you can use 2 tbsp water and 1/2 tbsp oil (instead of the water and applesauce amounts listed). The cake stays moist but the crumb is quite loose which is why I prefer the applesauce version.
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.
Every post you blow me away with your creativity!
Thank you!
Aww you are too kind. Thank you!
Sooo delicious and less hassle and mess, thank you. Wondering if you know the macros? How many carbs per.mug??
that will really vary depending on the cake mix you use.
I feel ya, most days actually I only have energy for a mug cake x) I love your blog and this was one of my favorite recipes so far!
Oh yay! So glad you like it!
Just made this because this momma needed a little treat. It was great! I frequently bake cakes with applesauce to make them a little lighter. Thanks for the mug recipe!
so glad you liked it!
I frequently bake things with mayonnaise and applesauce plus a drop or two of vanilla extract. No lie my dad taught me when I was very very young.
Baking with mayo and applesauce is great!
Turned out great! I added a dollop of nutella before cooking, yummy!
So glad you like it!
I’d like to throw it out there that it’s works beautifully with gluten-free Betty Crocker cake mix too! I sometimes throw in a dollop of sunflower seed butter and/or add Enjoy Life chocolate chips to mix it up and while keeping it allergy friendly 🙂
thanks for sharing!
I have some Red Velvet cake mix left after I used half of it to make a Red Velvet Cheeseball. I’m definitely going to try this. This will be a good way to use the rest of the cake mix. My husband and I really like mug cakes.
hope you enjoy!
I’d love to know what a red velvet cheese ball is!
Omg, so good! I have tried it with and without the apple sauce. It is good both ways but way better with apple sauce. I used sweetened cinnamon apple sauce. It was amazing. Make sure you have a big mug. My sister in law found out the hard way a regular sized mug will break from pressure.
there shouldn’t be any issues with mugs breaking from pressure. Perhaps her mug wasn’t microwave safe? Anyway, I’m glad it worked out well for you!
Tried this with white cake mix and cinnamon chips. Tasted just like a cinnamon coffee cake. And of course applesauce and cinnamon always go well together. Yummy!
Ooh love the idea of adding cinnamon chips!
I used Duncan Hines dark chocolate fudge mix added baby food pear sauce. Very moist and fudgie. Very delightful treat.
so glad you enjoyed it!
Oh wow! I tried this a couple weeks ago with chocolate cake mix, and game changer!!! Tonight I used carrot cake mix with sweetened cinnamon (all I had on hand ?????) and OMG it was life altering! Lol Thank you so much, you’ve opened the world of incorporating applesauces into baking now for me!
I’m so glad you tried and liked this recipe!
I’m on a soft food diet while I had from jaw surgery. Boy am I glad I found this recipe! I didn’t like step number 2 in your recipe… self restraint isn’t my strong suit, but I managed. 😉 😀
I have been trying to find a good chocolate mug cake recipe, and this one is SO good! Will definitely make it again. ?
The Baker
I’m so glad you liked it!
Thank you for this recipe!! The cake turned out really well – I didn’t have apple sauce so i used butter.
I’d like to modify it.. could you kindly tell me How can I incorporate blueberries?
just add them in like you would the chocolate chips
I used 6 tbsp of red velvet cake mix, 2 tbsp of water and 1/2 tbsp of vegetable oil. I cooked it in the microwave for 1 minute and 40 seconds and it was PERFECT!!
yum, love red velvet!
OMG YES- I’ve never made a mug cake and I was craving a sweet treat after class and you totally nailed this recipe! I doubled it with super fudge cake mix, used one of my Dad’s ‘coffee bowls’, microwaved for 1 1/2 minutes- and it turned out perfectly! Topped it with some marshmallow cream afterwards. I paired it with a glass of low-fat milk and it’s perfectly delicious and warm! You even nailed it better than the usual way I make them haha
I think I’ll just make our little desserts this way from now on. It’ll save some money and lots of hair pulling 😀
I’m going to check out other recipes you’ve got! Thank you for sharing!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
I am going to try my 1st mug cake this snowy weekend.
Hope you enjoy!
Went ahead & rated this because it sure looked delicious and can’t wait to make one…..I’ve been wanting to for a long time but every recipe I saw was too much work….and I like easy recipes and this one was the best of all…
I noticed you did not use Duncan Hines Cake Mix, but I buy nothing but that…..so I will assume it will even be better than I think 🙂
Thanks for posting….and would love to receive your blog….and when I make this, I will let you know….
I’m also looking for cookies recipe for cake mix, have a box of Devil’s Food Moist cake mix, and I guess they no longer put the recipe on the boxes :(….so went to the email address they gave, took me to pinterest and everything was just jumbled together….never did find it so ran across your recipe, so clicked on it and looked at your video and recipe and I will be making this, looks so easy….only thing, there are all sizes of mugs….approx. what size mug are you talking about? That would be helpful…
Thanks, Ms. Greer
This makes one small cupcake-size cake, so most mugs will work. I usually start with a 12oz mug.
I don’t usually have cake mix on hand but they were on sale for a dollar! I used Devil’s Food cake and the applesauce, as recommended, in a large Tim Horton’s cup for 70 seconds…(what can I say … Canadians love Timmies lol). I was out of chocolate chips, (don’t know how that happened? … ha ha)so I dusted the cake, once cooked, with icing sugar. Great little treat! Thanks for sharing.
I’m glad you liked it!
Disclaimer-i didnt follow this exactly as I am in the UK and we dont have applesauce to hand, but I had a tin of peaches in the cupboard and some cheap lidl cake mix, so i blitzed them to a puree, added 3 tbsp of the peach puree to replace the applesauce and water- and it was a perfect mug cake! Light, fluffy, moist… no oil and no egg. Love this!
So glad you enjoyed it!
Loved this mug cake! Have made it half a dozen times now… Yummm!! I tried it both ways, with applesauce and with melted butter/margarine. Maybe in a white cake mix the applesauce would be good but I didn’t care for it in the chocolate.
Substitute: I didn’t have vegetable oil so I put 2 tablespoons of water in my mug with 1 tablespoon of butter or margarine (I’ve used both) then nuked it for 30 seconds to melt. Added the 6 tablespoons of Betty Crocker chocolate cake mix and approximately 1 tablespoon of chocolate chips and then put in the microwave for 1 minute. I let it set there for a minute while I’m getting my spoon and the vanilla ice cream out of the freezer. Top it with the ice cream and then dig in!
This is the BEST mug cake I’ve tried and I’ve tried too many to find the tastiest one. This is it! Thanks
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment sharing your experience.
Can’t wait to try the mug cake recipe but have a question. Do you use regular dry cake mix or can the Super Moist mixes work too?
Thanks
I’ve done it with the supermoist mixes too.
I used Duncan Hines triple chocolate cake mix and a 1 1/2 tsp oil I mixed it in a sprayed soup individual casserole about 3/4 c cake mix. And just enough water to make a cake batter. I put 1 TBSP of caramel on the top of the batter. Microwaved for 1:50 I got a wonderful moist cake with a lava center. MAKE SURE TO LET IT. THE CARAMEL WILL BURN.
I’m glad you got it to work for you
Heavenly! I’ve tried a number of recipes for mug cake. While good and satisfying the “hummer,” they didn’t really taste “cake-y.” I wanted to give mugs with a gingerbread cake mix (Betty Crocker) for Christmas gifts. I tried this in my search for recipes to include. Perfect! Light, fluffy, warm Gingerbread Cake! Dollop of whip cream! Heavenly!
I’m so happy you liked it so much!
Hi, can I use yogurt instead of the applesauce?
I have not tested it with yogurt
Just made this tonight as I was craving chocolate cake. So very moist and utterly delicious. I omitted the chocolate chips and topped it with some cream cheese icing. Will never buy the store bought ones again. When I tried them, I found them dry. I am dieting too so avoiding processed foods.
Was wondering how you store the leftover cake mix? Also, would you have nutritional value?
Thank you for sharing this recipe.
unused cake mix can be stored sealed in your pantry. The nutrition value will vary depending on the cake mix you choose
Claire. January 8, 2020
I made this cake tonight. I only had chunky applesauce. So I spent a little time mashing it before adding it to the cup. I microwaved it for 80 seconds. Maybe it took longer because of that applesauce or different type cup or microwave or whatever. It turned out great. Then I made myself clean up the kitchen just so it could cool a bit. I topped the cake with whipped cream and actually went to food heaven. I love this recipe. I am glad I can store the remainder of the mix in the cabinet. Thank you so much for the recipe and the advice.
I’m glad the recipe worked out for you!
Made this recipe a couple of time and it’s great! I did just try it with iced coffee replacing the water, and it was sooo good!
what a great idea!
I have used this recipe twice now with my students at school, they absolutely love it and its so easy to do and less mess, they have requested that we do this every year!! Thanks for giving me this idea, I only have access to a microwave so it was a nice treat that we could make at school!
I love that you were able to make this with your students!
This is the first mug cake I have tried. I used Duncan Hines butter cake mix and only 1 tablespoon of mini chocolate chips. My family liked it a lot. I like that it has no oil or egg, and I will definitely be making this again. Thanks!
I’m so glad you enjoyed!
I really wanted cake tonight. So I found this recipe and gave it a whirl. Both my hubby and I loved it. A great quarantine treat! Thank you
So glad you both enjoyed it!
Yummy
Have made these a few times using the oil method & they are great! So easy to make! Tonight I used the applesauce method and switched out chocolate to peanut butter chips & added some crushed almonds to it! So good!!
So happy you liked the recipe!
Yay! Love this recipe! Was looking for something to make with the leftover Funfetti cake mix I had opened a few weeks ago, and this worked great! I added applesauce like was mentioned (healthier than oil or butter) and put in white chocolate chips. So moist and tasty! Thank you for the great recipe!
I’m so glad you enjoyed!
Just want to thank you for this single cup receipe idea. As a senior I don’t buy whole cakes because it is just my husband and I. This is the best idea I have seen and tried. Worked great because sometimes I get a craving for cake and my husband does not. For 2 seniors, I can make a cup as we feel like it. Best part is “No waste!”
I’m glad you like it!