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Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Dessert

Healthy Chocolate Mug Cake

Jan 18, 2022 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made · 43 Comments

1058 shares
  • 544
Diet: Vegetarian
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Healthy Chocolate Mug Cake with a text title overlay.

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.

A large mug full of chocolate cake. topped with a dollop of yogurt.

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?

Jump to:
  • Why You Will Love It
  • What is a Chocolate Mug Cake?
  • Step by Step Instructions
  • What Makes it Healthy?
  • Flavour Options
  • Extra Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Chocolate Recipes
  • Recipe
  • Feedback

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

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.

Step by Step Instructions

One: Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in a large mug.

A large mug containing flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.

Two: Add the milk, yogurt, nut butter and maple syrup.

Milk, yogurt, nut butter and maple syrup added to the mug.

Three: Add the chocolate chips.

Chocolate chips added to the mug.

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).

All the ingredients mixed together in the mug.

Five: Top with a dollop of yogurt and chocolate sauce (optional)

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.

a chocolate cake in a mug topped with yogurt and a drizzle of 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

Extra Tips

  • 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.
someone spooning out some chocolate cake from a large mug.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many does this serve?

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.

How long to cook mug cake for?

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.

Can healthy chocolate mug cake be oven cooked?

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.

What to serve with healthy chocolate mug cake

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.

Can you make it ahead?

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

  • Easy Chocolate Mousse in a glass ramekin topped with raspberries.
    Easy Chocolate Mousse
  • Slow cooker chocolate cake in a bowl with a ball of vanilla ice cream.
    Slow Cooker Chocolate Cake
  • A plate of cubes of chocolate fudge.
    Slow Cooker Chocolate Fudge
  • Mint Chocolate Dessert in a glass topped with chocolate chips and mint leaves.
    Mint Chocolate Dessert

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 in front of a towel

Healthy Chocolate Mug Cake

By: Dannii Martin
For a quick and easy chocolate fix that is lower in calories, try this super simple Chocolate Mug Cake. Healthier than most and totally delicious.
An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
Vegetarian
4.72 from 52 votes
Pin Print Save recipe Saved!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, British
Prep: 2 minutes mins
Cook: 2 minutes mins
Total: 4 minutes mins
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 272kcal
Allergens:
An illustration of a carton of milk.
Dairy
An illustration of two ears of wheat.
Gluten
An illustration of four different nuts.
Nuts

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoon Plain flour
  • 3 tablespoon Cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon Baking powder
  • 1 pinch Sea salt
  • 2 tablespoon 0% Fat Free Greek yogurt
  • 3 tablespoon Nut butter
  • 1 tablespoon Maple syrup
  • 4 tablespoon Whole milk
  • 30 g (2 tablespoon) Milk chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Combine 3 tablespoon Plain flour, 3 tablespoon Cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon Baking powder and 1 pinch Sea salt in a large mug.
  • Add 4 tablespoon Whole milk, 2 tablespoon 0% Fat Free Greek yogurt, 3 tablespoon Nut butter and 1 tablespoon Maple syrup.
  • Add 30 g Milk chocolate chips. Mix well.
  • Cook in the microwave on high power for 90 seconds.
  • Top with yogurt and chocolate sauce (optional)

Recipe Tips

  • 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.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 1cake | Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 47mg | Potassium: 600mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Calcium: 246mg | Iron: 3mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.

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Comments

  1. McKenzie says

    August 29, 2024 at 8:12 pm

    1 star
    Not sure how this is 'healthy' but figured I'd try it, very strange texture even for a mug cake, disappointing.

    Reply
    • Dannii Martin says

      September 02, 2024 at 8:45 am

      It's healthier because it uses yogurt instead of butter and no refined sugar. The texture will be different, because it isn't full of fat. You can't expect it to taste like an indulgent cake sadly.

      Reply
  2. Rkm says

    May 28, 2023 at 7:12 pm

    5 stars
    Super easy, super quick, my 5 year old and I absolutely loved it! We're a low sugar household so he's used to the richer taste of dark chocolate and this was delightful. Next time I'll halve the recipe, though. Bit too much for one person.

    Reply
  3. Kiara says

    September 01, 2022 at 3:27 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      September 01, 2022 at 5:38 pm

      Oooh thanks for the tips! I will try that next time.

      Reply
  4. Amy says

    July 03, 2022 at 11:42 pm

    2 stars
    I really, really wanted to like this, but it just wasn't good. Too dry, not chocolatey enough. Texture was off. Disappointing.

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      July 04, 2022 at 1:58 pm

      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.

      Reply
  5. Jules P says

    January 18, 2021 at 9:29 pm

    4 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      January 19, 2021 at 12:45 pm

      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.

      Reply
    • Kris M says

      March 09, 2022 at 12:56 am

      2 stars
      Not sure what this was… but it wasn’t cake. Ew.

      Reply
      • Dannii says

        March 09, 2022 at 7:19 am

        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.

        Reply
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My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist.

Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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