For a quick and easy chocolate fix that is lower in calories than more traditional chocolate cake, try this super simple Healthy Chocolate Mug Cake. Healthier than most, totally delicious, easy to adapt and ready in under 5 minutes. Fudgy, moist and the perfect individual chocolate treat.
We love chocolate cake just as much as the next person, but baking a whole cake is sometimes a bit too much effort when the cravings hit. So, why not make this individual chocolate mug cake, that has a couple of healthy twists. All mixed in the mug and then cooked in the microwave, it couldn't be easier.
While you're here, have you seen our Biscoff Mug Cake?
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Why you will love it
- Really easy to make
- Ready in less than 5 minutes
- Quick chocolate fix
- Kids will love them
- Easy to adapt with different flavours
- Lower in calories than regular chocolate cake
Step by step
One: Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in a large mug.
Two: Add the milk, yogurt, nut butter and maple syrup.
Three: Add the chocolate chips.
Four: Mix well so that everything is combined. Cook in the microwave on high power for 90 seconds (times may vary depending on your microwave).
Five: Top with a dollop of yogurt and chocolate sauce (optional)
What is a chocolate mug cake?
It is pretty much what it says - a chocolate cake that is in a mug. It's probably the most simple chocolate cake you could make, as you don't need a big bowl or a cake mixture. Just a mug and a fork and then a spoon to eat it with. Cooked in just 90 seconds and then a little cooling time and served with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a drizzle of chocolate syrup if you like.
What makes it healthy?
It is healthier. The word healthy is relative after all. This mug cake doesn't have all the butter, oil and refined sugar that a regular chocolate cake would have in it. It is also healthier as it is individual cakes, rather than a whole one, so it's all about portion control. If you are expecting a super sweet cake, you will be disappointed. But, this does have enough sweetness to it.
We swapped the butter for Greek yogurt and used just a little maple syrup rather that a lot of refined sugar. This is still a dessert though, so portion control is what helps it to be healthier.
There is also a little surprise when you dig your spoon in. By adding a tiny bit of chocolate to the mix, it melts and makes a molten middle. This can be left out and it will reduce the calories and it still tastes great. If you do add some chocolate, try to use good quality dark chocolate.
Flavour options
The great thing about this healthy chocolate mug cake is that you can easily adapt it with of flavours and fillings, so you never have to have it the same way twice. Here are some of our favourite things to add:
- Nutella
- Biscoff
- Orange extract
- Peppermint extract
- Cinnamon
- Cherries
FAQs
We have made this in one mug with is meant to be shared. To make two individual mug cakes, halve the ingredients and put them in separate mugs.
Cooking times really will vary depending on the mug you have used and how powerful your microwave is, so you maybe have to experiment a little. This cake is meant to be fudgy, however if you want it less fudgy, then you can cook it for 5-10 seconds longer. Be careful that it doesn't dry out though.
All the cooking for this cake is done in the microwave, and it's designed for a speedy chocolate fix. Cooking in the oven isn't really the point and there are a million great oven baked chocolate cake recipes out there.
When you're in a hurry or you just can't be bothered to bake a cake in the oven, this microwave chocolate cake is for you.
A dessert eaten straight from a mug doesn't really lend itself to accompaniments. You could drizzle a small amount of cream on top or Greek yogurt, some nut butter or sprinkle a few small chunks of fruit.
For an additional bit of flavour, why not add some orange zest or juice, desiccated coconut, chunks of cookie, cherries or ginger?
We served ours with Greek yogurt and some choc shot syrup and a little powdered sugar. Banana and caramel sauce is another great flavour topping too.
There really is no need to make ahead as the whole process takes less than 5 minutes. If you're making more than one, the cooking time increases, but it is still a very quick process.
If you are really pressed for time, you could mix the ingredients beforehand and keep it in the fridge. Remove the mixture from the fridge about 30 minutes before you are ready to cook.
More chocolate recipes
If you’ve tried this microwave mug cake, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Healthy Chocolate Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon plain flour
- 3 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 2 tablespoon 0% Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoon nut butter
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 4 tablespoon milk
- 30 g chocolate chips
Instructions
- Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in a large mug.3 tablespoon plain flour, 3 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 pinch sea salt
- Add the milk, yogurt, nut butter and maple syrup.2 tablespoon 0% Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 4 tablespoon milk, 3 tablespoon nut butter
- Add the chocolate chips.30 g chocolate chips
- Cook in the microwave on high power for 90 seconds.
- Top with yogurt and chocolate sauce (optional)
Notes
- The cake will be HOT when it first comes out of the microwave. Leave to cool for a couple of minutes before eating.
- Sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top for presentation.
- Cooking times may vary depending on your microwave.
Kiara
I started making this before realizing I didn't have cocoa powder. I used chocolate protein powder instead and everything else was as you wrote. Came out perfect!
Dannii
Oooh thanks for the tips! I will try that next time.
Amy
I really, really wanted to like this, but it just wasn't good. Too dry, not chocolatey enough. Texture was off. Disappointing.
Dannii
Sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy it. It shouldn't be dry - that sounds like you might have cooked it for too long. Every microwave cooks differently, so if yours is more powerful than mine, it will cook it quicker. As for not chocolatey enough, this is a healthier version of a traditional chocolate mug cake. So it is never going to be super chocolatey and gooey.
Jules P
Hi. Any tips on mixing this fully? I struggled to mix it all properly so had a lump of nut butter in mine and cocoa powder at the bottom! Still tasted good though! Loving all your suggestions and your site is so easy to navigate.
Dannii
What was the problem with mixing it? It being too thick? or not enough room? If room is an issue, then you could mix it in a bowl and then pour in to the mix. There shouldn't be cocoa powder at the bottom if it has been mixed properly. You have to get the spoon right down to the bottom to make sure everything is mixing. In terms of the nut butter, it will depend on what you used. What nut? What brand? Some are thicker than others. You should mix your nut butter jar first to make sure it is runny. If it still isn't runny, you can melt it in the microwave for a few seconds before using it to make the mug cake.
Kris M
Not sure what this was… but it wasn’t cake. Ew.
Dannii
Sorry you didn't enjoy it. However, as it is a healthy version and it is cooked in the microwave and not baked in an oven, it won't taste the same as a full fat caked baked in the oven.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
You had me at the words 'healthy' and 'chocolate' - those words don't often go together so when they do, they are music to my ears! You can't beat a mug cake and this sounds and looks so delicious and indulgent!
Jane Saunders
I love all your ideas for pimping this recipe occasionally. My kids love Biscoff, so that might be first.
Maria
Hey! Less guilt, more yum!
Toni
I really loved how easy this is to make! Everyone at my house enjoyed it!
Shelley
I just love that this can be whipped up in no time - and is the perfect little portion size, so I don't have to figure out what to do with an entire cake lol! And thanks for the fabulous ideas to customize it, like orange, coconut, and (YUMMM!) cherries!
Sharon
This is the perfect chocolate treat that you don't have to feel guilty about.
Claudia Lamascolo
I love how rich and dark this looks which dark chocolate is our favorite and this is so simple for the kids at college!
Jen
Perfect work from home snack. Love that you can make just one and the yogurt keeps it moist. Yum!
Danielle Wolter
I am all about a cake in a mug - and in need for a healthier version too! This sounds absolutely delicious and easier on my waistline :-)
Jess
This is everything my chocolate dreams are made of! Love that I can make this for myself to enjoy after I put kids to bed!
Chris Collins
Loving this healthy version of a chocolate cake! Can't wait to try the recipe :)
Julie Menghini
This look so super chocolatey! So good! Really love that I can make this anytime I'm craving chocolate!