Mug Cake with Cake Mix

Name: Cake in a Mug Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 7 min
Ingredients: ¼ cup chocolate cake mix, (your choice of chocolate cake mix. I used Devil’s food cake mix); 2 tablespoons chocolate cake mix; 4 tablespoons milk, (I used whole milk or you can use water); 3 tablespoons vegetable oil; 3 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips; Whipped topping, (optional topping); 1 teaspoon chocolate sprinkles, (optional garnish)

This moist and delicious mug cake with cake mix is the perfect way to indulge in a little treat when the craving strikes.

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Table of Contents

Ingredients For Chocolate Cake Mix Mug Cake
Cake In A Mug With Cake Mix Substitutions And Additions
How To Make A Mug Cake With Cake Mix
How To Serve Cake In A Mug
Mug Cake Storage
Why We Love This Recipe
Cake In A Mug Recipe FAQs
This Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe Is The Easiest Dessert To Make!
More Mug Cake Recipes
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Satisfy your sweet tooth in just 7 minutes. Our cake mix mug cake recipe takes the classic cake-in-a-mug concept and transforms it into a dessert that’s anything but basic. It’s rich, gooey, and topped with whipped cream and sprinkles for a bakery-worthy finish.

close up shot of Mug Cake with Cake Mix in a cup with a fork grabbing a piece

Not all microwave cakes are created equal. If you’re tired of dry or rubbery results, this recipe will change your mind. The secret? A luscious, melt-in-your-mouth texture thanks to chocolate chips and rich Devil’s Food cake mix.

What You Need to Know

Main Ingredients: Chocolate cake mix, milk, oil, semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Quick Steps: Mix cake ingredients in a mug, stir in chocolate chips, microwave.
Estimated Time and Yield: 7 minutes total; serves 1.
Pro Tip: Use a wide, short mug for best results.
Why Our Recipe: Unlike other mug cakes that use cake mix, our recipe incorporates semi-sweet chocolate chips, which melt during the microwaving process. This creates pockets of gooey, melted chocolate within the cake, giving it a richer, more indulgent texture. This small addition makes a big difference, elevating the experience beyond a typical microwaved dessert.

Ingredients For Chocolate Cake Mix Mug Cake

Mug Cake with Cake Mix raw ingredients that are labeled

You’ll need:

¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons of chocolate cake mix (your choice of chocolate cake mix. I used Devil’s food cake mix)
4 tablespoons of milk (I used whole milk, or you can use water)
3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
3 tablespoons of semi-sweet chocolate chips
Whipped topping (optional topping)
1 teaspoon of chocolate sprinkles (optional garnish)

PRO TIP:

The leftover cake mix can be separated into 7 snack-size Ziploc bags so that you can make more individual cakes the next time you have a craving.

Cake In A Mug With Cake Mix Substitutions And Additions

CAKE MIX: You can substitute any flavor of cake mix for the chocolate cake mix, as well as the sprinkles.

Try vanilla cake mix, strawberry cake mix, carrot cake mix, or spice cake mix for a few different flavors.

CHOCOLATE CHIPS: You can substitute dark chocolate or milk chocolate chips for semi-sweet chocolate chips in this cake mix mug cake recipe.

CHOCOLATE SPRINKLES: Get creative with your garnish by swapping chocolate sprinkles for colorful sprinkles or crushed cookies for a playful touch.

You can even drizzle a bit of caramel sauce or hot fudge sauce on top to elevate the presentation and taste.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Double this simple recipe to share the rich cake with a friend. Microwave cakes one at a time if you are making more than one.

How To Make A Mug Cake With Cake Mix

This chocolate mug cake is not just quick—it’s next-level delicious! It delivers a dense, chocolatey experience that tastes like it took hours to make—but it’s ready in minutes. Here’s how you make it:

STEP ONE: Lightly spray a 14-ounce coffee mug with nonstick cooking spray.

cake mix, milk, and vegetable oil stirred in a cup

PRO TIP:

Using a wider and shorter cup for this works best and makes it easier to scoop out your cake.

STEP TWO: Add the chocolate cake mix, milk, and vegetable oil. Stir (or whisk) the cake batter together, paying close attention to the bottom edges inside the mug.

STEP THREE: Stir in the chocolate chips.

STEP FOUR: Microwave for 1 minute 20 seconds to 1 minute 30 seconds.

We found that 1 minute 30 seconds was the perfect amount of time for our cake, but it will depend on how thick your mug is.

PRO TIP:

Keep a close eye on the cake while it’s in the microwave and cook it until the center is just set.

Mug Cake with Cake Mix microwaved in a cup

How To Serve Cake In A Mug

To serve a mug cake, allow the cake to rest for 2½ to 3 minutes after microwaving to set the texture.

Topping ideas for your mug cake:

Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a creamy touch.
A drizzle of chocolate syrup or caramel for extra sweetness.
Fresh berries like strawberries, raspberries, or sliced bananas for contrast.
Chopped nuts, such as walnuts or almonds, for a satisfying crunch.
Sprinkles or shredded coconut for a fun texture and color.

Serve directly in the mug with a spoon for a cozy experience, or transfer to a bowl for a more elegant presentation.

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Check out our from-scratch recipes for vanilla mug cake and chocolate mug cake if you are looking for a quick treat.

Mug Cake Storage

Mug cakes are best enjoyed fresh because they can lose their soft, moist texture when stored. If you must store one, it’s recommended to consume it within a day, and the texture may not be as good after reheating.

For the best experience, it’s ideal to make mug cakes when you’re ready to eat them to fully enjoy their warm, fluffy texture.

overhead shot of mug cake with cake mix in Ziploc bags

Why We Love This Recipe

INDIVIDUAL PORTIONS: Mug cakes are perfect for when you want a single-serving dessert without the hassle of baking a whole cake.

INSTANT COMFORT: There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm, freshly made mug cake. It offers a delightful and comforting dessert experience whenever you need it.

SPEEDY SWEET CRAVINGS: This recipe is a lifesaver when you’re hit by a sudden dessert craving. With minimal prep and a few minutes in the microwave, you can satisfy your sweet tooth in a flash.

Cake In A Mug Recipe FAQs

Can I freeze this single-serving mug cake?

This decadent dessert does not reheat well, and we don’t recommend trying to store it in the fridge or freezer for any length of time.

What size of mug should I use for this chocolate cake in a mug recipe?

A 14-ounce microwave-safe mug is just the right size for this great recipe.

How long should I cook this chocolate mug cake recipe?

The cooking time will depend on the wattage of your microwave, but we find somewhere between 80 to 90 seconds is about right. Keep an eye on your cake near the end of cooking and watch for the center to be just set. Don’t overcook it, or you will end up with a dry cake.

Why is my microwave mug cake rubbery?

Mug cakes can turn out rubbery either because it has been overcooked or too much baking powder was added.

Are mug cakes supposed to be gooey?

Mug cakes are meant to be very moist and gooey on the inside.

Why is my mug cake not fluffy?

If your mug cake did not turn out light and fluffy, it is likely because it was over-mixed. Only mix the ingredients until they are just combined for the fluffiest cake.

Why did my mug cake not work?

Mug cakes may not turn out as you expect for a variety of reasons. It could be that it was over or undercooked. The batter may have been mixed too much, or the ingredients are not in the right proportion.

This Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe Is The Easiest Dessert To Make!

This single-serving dessert can be made in the microwave in just a few minutes, and it’s super easy to customize according to your taste. Plus, there are an endless variety of flavors to choose from, so you will never get bored of cake mix mug cake.

More Mug Cake Recipes

Cake in a Mug Recipe

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This moist and delicious mug cake with cake mix is the perfect way to indulge in a little treat when the craving strikes.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 2

Total Time 7

Servings

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Ingredients

¼ cup chocolate cake mix, your choice of chocolate cake mix. I used Devil’s food cake mix
2 tablespoons chocolate cake mix
4 tablespoons milk, I used whole milk or you can use water
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips
Whipped topping, optional topping
1 teaspoon chocolate sprinkles, optional garnish

Instructions

Lightly spray a 14-ounce coffee mug with nonstick cooking spray.
Add in the chocolate cake mix, milk and vegetable oil. Stir (or whisk) the mixture together, paying close attention to bottom edges inside the mug.
Stir in the chocolate chips.
Microwave for 1 minute 20 seconds to 1 minute 30 seconds. I found that 1 minute 30 seconds was the perfect amount of time for my cake, but it will depend on how thick your mug is.
Allow the cake to rest for 2½ to 3 minutes before garnishing the top of the cake with a dollop of whipped topping. Sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles if you wish.

Notes

The leftover cake mix can be separated into seven snack-size Ziploc bags so that you can make more individual cakes the next time you have a craving.
Double this simple recipe to share the rich cake with a friend. Microwave cakes one at a time if you are making more than one.
Using a wider and shorter cup for this works best and makes it easier to scoop out your cake.
Keep a close eye on the cake while it’s in the microwave and cook it until the center is just set.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

Stephanie Keeping Publisher
Layne Kangas Marketing
Lexus Monroe Editorial Assistant
Teresia Shrum Recipe Developer