3-Ingredient Mug Cake (Done in 5 Minutes)

This 3 ingredient mug cake gives you a warm, fudgy single-serving chocolate cake in under five minutes. It asks for nothing but a mug, a fork, and three basic ingredients.

No creaming butter or sifting flour. The result is spoonable, dense, and chocolatey enough to scratch the brownie itch with zero clean-up.

Why This Mug Cake Stays in the Rotation

I reach for this when a full sheet cake feels like too much work but I still want something warm and chocolatey for dessert. The Nutella does all the heavy lifting, it gives you both the fat and the sugar, so you skip the measuring cups.

The texture is what gets me every time: spoonable, a little bit fudgy, with a crackly top. It is exactly the kind of treat that disappears from the mug three minutes after you mix it.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Nutella: any chocolate hazelnut spread works
• 1 large egg: at room temperature for the smoothest batter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour: a gluten-free blend works, see the FAQ

Variations / Substitutions

• Swap the spread: Biscoff cookie butter or almond butter will both set up nicely, though you may want a pinch of salt with the almond butter.
• Add a topping: stir in a few chocolate chips or a spoonful of peanut butter before microwaving for an extra layer.
• Make it dairy-free?: Nutella contains dairy, but many vegan hazelnut spreads exist. Use one and swap the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, let sit 5 minutes), though the texture will be denser.

If you want a classic chocolate cake in a mug, try my 2-Minute Chocolate Mug Cake.

How to Make 3 Ingredient Mug Cake

Step 1: Mix the Batter

Scoop the 1/4 cup Nutella into a microwave-safe mug that holds at least 10 ounces so the cake has room to rise. Crack in the egg and sprinkle the 2 tbsp flour right on top. Stir with a fork until you cannot see any white flour streaks and the mixture looks glossy.

Step 2: Microwave the Cake

Pop the mug into the microwave and cook on high for 1 minute. Check the cake, it should look set on top and puff slightly above the rim. If your microwave is lower wattage (under 900W), add 10-second bursts until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs, about 1 minute 30 seconds total. Do not overcook it; a mug cake goes from fudgy to rubbery in seconds.

Step 3: Serve It Warm

Give the mug a minute to cool on the counter, it will set up a bit more as it rests. Eat it straight out of the mug with a spoon. A dusting of powdered sugar or a scoop of vanilla ice cream turns it into something weekend-worthy, but it is just as good plain.

Tips for the Best Mug Cake

• Stick a piece of dark chocolate into the center of the batter before you cook it. It melts into a little lava core.
• If you prefer a fudgier center, microwave for 50 seconds instead of a full minute. The egg is still cooked through, but the texture stays gooey in the middle.
• Do not skip the 1-minute rest. The mug is unreasonably hot and the cake finishes setting from the residual heat, so letting it sit saves your tongue and the texture.

Microwave times by wattage:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of flour?

Yes, a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works the same way. Avoid almond flour or coconut flour here, they need more liquid and will not set properly.

Can I make this without an egg?

Yes, a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit 5 minutes) works, though the cake will be denser and a little gummier.

Can I double this recipe to serve two?

Yes, split the batter between two mugs and microwave each separately for the same time. Doubling the batter in one mug will leave a raw center.

Can I bake it in the oven instead?

Yes, pour the batter into an oven-safe ramekin and bake at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes, until the top springs back. The texture will be a little drier.

3 Ingredient Mug Cake Recipe

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Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 minute min

Total Time 3 minutes mins

Servings: 1 servings

Calories: 330

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1/4 cup Nutella
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

Method

 

1. Combine the Nutella, egg, and flour in a 10-ounce microwave-safe mug. Stir with a fork until smooth and glossy.
2. Microwave on high for 1 minute, until the top is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.
3. Let the mug rest for 1 minute, then eat the cake straight from the mug.

Notes

The cook time depends on your microwave’s wattage. Start with 1 minute and add 10-second bursts if the center is still wet. For an 800W microwave, 1 minute 30 seconds usually does it.