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.
Been looking for a mug cake recipe I’m definitely trying these
We hope you enjoy it!
WOW
I just made this and my gosh is it fantastic!!! I omitted the chocolate chips but did put a tablespoon of Nutella on the top when done. Perfect sweet treat!
Love that you added Nutella!
Great. Any alternatives to applesauce?? Kindly reply
We suggest an alternative in the recipe card notes – you can use a combination of water and oil instead of applesauce. The details are in the second bullet under the notes section.
How would I adjust the amounts of each ingredient if I wanted to increase the amount of cake I’m making for say, a taller mug?
You can try doubling the amounts if the mug is twice as big – we haven’t tried this, though, and can’t say how it will work.
tried it with the oil alternative and it tasted just like the store bought mug cake packs
So glad you enjoyed it!
This is best mug cake ever and is so easy to make. It does make quite a lot of cake and could probably do two portions, but I haven’t been able to leave any when I’ve made it (several times now). Easy to add other flavours, such as a teaspoon of coffee to Devil’s Food to make a mocha cake. Next is to experiment with half a portion, but unsure how long to cook for.
It works out at about 250 calories for the basic cake plus any additions. Slightly less for a plain sponge or carrot cake.
For those who have old cake mix, adding a little baking powder or a pinch of bicarbonate of soda for extra rise worked.
Calories based on 60g Devil’s Food mix (Betty Crocker) and 30g apple sauce (ready made supermarket brand)
We’re so glad you’re enjoying this recipe! Thanks for sharing your tips, too.
Super easy, super tasty. I made this with Devil’s Food Cake, and sprinkled marshmallows on top while it was still hot, so they got melty. YUM!
Love that you added marshmallows!
It comes out tasting a bit like that Entenmanns cake with the marshmallow icing. (Which was my favorite as a kid)
That’s great!
I used sugar free Devils food cake mix, and topped with a few chocolate chips ans tbs of peanutbutter omg. Ty!
So glad it worked with sugar-free cake mix! Thanks for letting us know.
Thank you. So easy and yummy. I added cinnamon semi sweet chocolate chips…and topped with marshmallows….deee-lish!!
So glad you loved it!
About how many calories with this be? Or weight watcher points
We don’t have the nutrition info or WW points – we recommend you use one of the many free calculators online to get this info.