Nutella Mug Cakes
Quick and easy Nutella mug cakes that cook in the microwave in less than two minutes! These mini cakes taste as good as a cake baked in the oven but are faster and perfectly sized for one person.
Mug cakes have been on my radar for over a year now and the idea is pretty neat. You combine all the ingredients in a large mug, cook it in the microwave for a few minutes, and out comes a delicious cake.
The cleanup and prep time are both minimal. I think start to finish the process took me less than 10 minutes and that includes the time it took to gather all of the ingredients together.
I’ve done a lot of research and based on other recipes I’ve seen (and the comments from readers) some mug cakes are dry, but this Nutella mug cake recipe I’m sharing is so moist and rich. The texture is just like a cake that is baked. I couldn’t tell that it was made in a microwave and I can’t believe it was cooked in the microwave for less than two minutes.
Update: Since sharing this mug cake I’ve made so many more! Be sure to check out my post all about my favorite mug cake recipes for more inspiration.
Easy Nutella Mug Cake
- This recipe makes one large mug cake or you can split the batter into two smaller mugs to make two cakes. One cake is quite large and definitely enough to serve two people.
- Be sure to mix the ingredients thoroughly. If you have a small whisk you can combine them in the mug or mix them in a separate small bowl and then pour the batter into your mug.
- If you make two cakes, be sure to cook them one at a time.
- I recommend cooking your cake for 1 ½ minutes to start. Check it and if it is not done, continue to cook it in 30-second intervals. You don’t want to overcook the mug cake otherwise the texture will be rubbery.
I’ve made this recipe several times and I think the cake tastes great plain, but you can also add a topping. Whipped cream, chocolate syrup, salted caramel sauce or even a scoop of ice cream work great and make the cake extra decadent.
More Mug Cakes
Nutella Chocolate Mug Cakes
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp all purpose flour
- 4 tbsp white granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 1/2 tbsp Nutella
- 3 tbsp milk
- splash of vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large coffee mug. Whisk well with a fork until smooth.
- Microwave on high for 1 1/2 – 3 minutes. You should try it at 1 1/2 minutes and then take it out to check to see if it is done. If not, continue to microwave in thirty second intervals. Mine was done at 1 1/2 minutes. You don't want to overcook it or it will become rubbery.
Nutella? I’m all in! Heres the problem with dry chocolate mug cakes, you only need 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, but pack it down in the spoon. It acts like extra flour so the cakes come out a little dryer. So use less cocoa powder. The trick is packing the cocoa into the spoon and leveling it off. Still get that strong chocolate flavor!
thank you. this is actually an old recipe and I’ve come up with some better solutions since. Hopefully you’ll take a look at my mug cake category for the latest recipes. https://kirbiecravings.com/category/recipes/mug-cakes
I die to try one of your mug cakes but I want to know what kind of mug should it be? I talk about the material, i’ve never put a mug in the microwave 🙁
you need a microwave-safe mug. Usually something made of thick glass or ceramic
I love this recipe! This is much easier to understand compare to other Nutella Mug Cakes that I had seen, to be honest I didn’t know that it is possible to bake in the microwave oven, so this was my very 1st try! I didn’t have All Purpose flour though so I used Great Value’s Pancake Mix with Blueberry, it turned out really goooood with the berries on it.. I just burnt my 1st half cup cause I’m still tesing the right timing.. Instead of using mug, I baked it in a tupperware and it turned out fine,I serve it by squares and then top it off with gelato or sandwich the gelato in the middle 🙂 Never mind the calories in the mean time, this is a chocolate desert, it should make you happy, not regretful 🙂 Thanks for sharing this! <3
glad this turned out well for you with the pancake mix!
Just made this and it tastes amazing! BUT it kept overflowing in my microwave :/ I used a very large mug also… Any tips?
Hmm, I haven’t had this issue. I usually use a 16 oz mug. what is yours? You can split the batter into two mugs and cook them separately with half the time.
this is awesome!! i just made it and i’m eating it right now. but it didn’t fit in my cup though :/ so i used a bowl instead.. thank you so much for this! <3 <3
glad it worked out for you!
Love this idea, but it comes in at a whopping 917 calories! Will have to save this for a VERY special occasion.
This is an old recipe. I’ve improved it and cut down on calories. https://kirbiecravings.com/2013/03/four-ingredient-nutella-mug-cake.html Try this one instead.
Just made this, only I had no cocoa powder, so used Milo-a malt style hot chocolate, and it worked wonderfully! Would definately halve the recipe next time though… too much chocco for one person 🙂
I usually treat it as two servings; it’s just a pain to only do half the recipe since you have to split the egg
Hi!
I have been reading your blog and I have been dying to try one of your mug cakes. I tried this 1 because I love Nutella. it was delicious! I I am on a diet since I will be getting married next year. I try not to keep any desserts in the house because that is my weakness. But when I absolutely need a fix this is perfect! Thank you! By the way I used Skim Plus milk and it turned out great….
That’s great to hear! This is one of my favorites.
These mug cake recipes are great for children to make also, I wish I knew about this when my kids were young. I’ll be making these instead of the cake pan version since it’s just me now, kids all grown and left, living on their own. I’ll be sure to pass it on to my kids since they loved my cakes when they were home with me.
I’ve had quite a few friends who make it with their kids. I never thought about that aspect when I first made them but I’m glad it is something that is kid friendly. I just love the little cleanup and how fast and easy it is. And it stops you from eating an entire cake too. hehe
Thank you so much for this! I used a different recipe the other day and it came out super floury and awfully dry. Yet this one was so moist and tasted just like I baked it in the oven! Loveeee <3
Glad you like! This is one of my favs
can you use oil instead of butter?
I think it should be fine.
I’m eating my mug cake right now! I split the batter between 2 cups and microwaved it for 1 minute. So good, but it could use some ice cream! Thanks for this recipe. Definitely going to make this again.
Awesome! This is the first one I tried. It’s so moist because of the Nutella. After this I totally fell in love with mug cakes.
Oh…I just made this mug cake (divided into 2 mugs) and it’s the best mug cake that I’ve ever had! It’s basically just delicious chocolate cake! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Aw, I’m so glad you like it! This is one of my favs. I also really love the chocolate brownie mug cake and the flourless Nutella lava cake.
Wow this changed my life! As a sweet addict I am always in the mood for chocolate and cake but I am not always in the mood to drive to the grocery store and buy one or make one that serves 12 other people. This recipe was fabulous and exceeded all of my expectations! In 10 minutes (including the prep time) I had a moist and gooey cake that easily rivaled the chocolate lava cake I had at a local restaurant last week! I cannot wait to invite my friends over and share this with them! THANK YOU!
Aw, I’m so glad you like it! These mug cakes have changed my life too. I’m obsessed. I love the one serving thing. You may want to check out my other mug cakes!
This sounds really nice~ But what would be the estimated time if i used a conventional oven instead of a microwave..?
Sorry, I’m not sure. The main thing that makes this cake unique is that it is a microwave cake.
This sounds awesome but, I’m wondering if you could make this recipe w/o cocoa powder or is there any substitute?
subsitute for the nutella? Yes there are versions with just cocoa powder. I prefer the nutella and cocoa powder because the Nutella makes the cake more moist.
Wow, I just made this after looking at your recipe and it is really tasty! The only difference is that I only had Hazelnut Spread, which is pretty much nutella, and it worked as a good second! 🙂
Yeah it should pretty much be the same. So glad you like it!
Delicious! I refrigerated it overnight and it was just as delicious the next day! Thank you!
I never tried refrigerating it. Good to know it still tastes good after!
I have now made this microwave cake several times since someone showed it to me, and it’s by far the best one I’ve ever tried! You might say I’m a microwave cake addict…so thank you!
It is fun and easy to make so I can see why you would be an addict! Glad you like this version.
Wow! I’ve been living in the Czech Republic for 9 months, and I never bake because my kitchen flat is so tiny that I can’t have tons of kitchen staples lying around…but this recipe is perfect! Few ingredients, quick and simple, and I can even split it into two mugs if I’m feeling nice enough to share 🙂
Oh this is definitely perfect for you then!
Hello,
Cake tasted great!
Wonder where you got those Paris mugs?
They are awsome..
I got them as a gift from a friend when he went to Paris. I really like them
I just discovered Nutella in the past week. I’m definitely going to try this!
So glad you discovered nutella! I think you’ll like these cakes.
Great recipe! Usually I don’t like mug cakes, they taste a little too dry, “floury” or “cocoa powdery” for me. I just made this, and it’s not like that. The nutella adds some nice moisture and flavor.
I haven’t tried other mug cakes but I heard that some of the others do that. I agree the nutella makes these more moist and I like that you can taste the nutella and the flavor doesnt get lost
Sounds like a tasty thing to wake up to… >_>
It’s definitely something that works any time…breakfast, snack, dessert, etc. =)
absolutely irresistible !!!
These are pretty irresistible.
Did you let the cake cool? I find that chocolate cakes are way too sweet when you eat them hot.
I like eating desserts while they are hot, so I ate mine hot. I didn’t really notice a difference in sweetness. I had some after it cooled down too.
Very original! Never seen this type of dessert before. Didn’t know you could “bake” a cake in the microwave. I bet you have to watch the batter very carefully and it also depends on how powerful your microwave is.
Yeah, you will have to be a little careful. I think most people’s will be done at about 1 1/2 minutes. But if you have a particularly strong microwave, you might want to try one minute. You should try it out!
These look delicious. I know what I will be making tonight for desert. Thanks for sharing this.
I’ve made this for dessert two nights in a row! It’s a dangerous recipe. Haha
That recipe is almost evil it is so simple. It looks delicious.
Yeah. It makes having a chocolate cake whenever you are in the mood a little too easy…
This is so awesome. I’m totally bringing this to work to make a mug of chocolate cake and make all my coworkers jealous!
Haha, you are so evil 😉