Healthy Chocolate Mug Cake

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?

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Why you will love it
Step by step
What is a chocolate mug cake?
What makes it healthy?
Flavour options
FAQs
Extra tips
More chocolate recipes
Recipe
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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.

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.

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 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.

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

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

someone spooning out some chocolate cake from a large mug.

FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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