An easy Nutella Mug Cake ready to eat in just ten minutes. This simple chocolate cake for one is soft, fluffy and filled with gooey pockets of Nutella. You don’t need any special equipment or an electric mixer – just a mug, a spoon and a microwave!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I’m so excited to be back sharing the very first recipe for 2017.
And THIS Nutella Chocolate Mug Cake is the perfect way to celebrate a new year! Sometimes life just calls for chocolate cake and now you are just 80 seconds away from a chocolate cake ALL TO YOURSELF. Soft, tender chocolate cake, complete with gooey pockets of Nutella, that is made in the microwave. #bestideaever
I know many people make resolutions to eat healthier when a new year rolls around, but I’m more of a all-things-in-moderation girl. So I’m putting this sweet treat forward as the perfect solution to your chocolate cravings when you don’t want a whole frosted cake sitting in the house. It is the perfect dessert for one.
Why you will love this recipe
- No fancy equipment: It takes only minutes to make the cake batter – no electric mixer needed. And you don’t need a cake pan, just a regular mug or cup will do.
- Microwave only: Baking this cake in the microwave means you don’t even need to turn the oven on or wait for it to preheat.
- Ready in minutes: The entire mug cake takes ten minutes to make and bake.
- Perfect for one: Late night craving? Midnight snack? This easy recipe makes just one small cake.
I made SO MANY mug cakes when I was testing this recipe. I was all mug-caked out but then I finally stumbled on this recipe and it made me jump for joy. I tried butter vs oil, cocoa powder vs real chocolate, chocolate chips, vanilla, eggs vs no eggs and all yielded different results. But to be honest, most of the cakes were either wet and soggy (no thanks) or dry and hard.
Finally, I had it close to where I wanted it to be when I remembered that egg yolks tend to add moisture to cakes, while egg whites can make cakes dry. So I tried it one last time with an egg yolk (rather than 1/2 a whole egg or no egg at all) and bingo! The soft and fluffy cake I wanted.
The last touch to make this mug cake one to remember, is a lovely large tablespoon of Nutella right in the middle. When it bakes, it seeps down and creates little Nutella pockets for extra flavour and moisture. #winning
The baking time for this mug cake will vary slightly according to the power of your microwave. Our apartment only has a 900 W microwave so this cake took approximately 80 seconds to bake but it might be slightly less/more depending on your microwave. I recommend having a quick peek after 60 seconds.
The chocolate cake batter should fill your cup or mug approximately halfway and it will rise as it bakes. It may also sink a little when it comes out straight out of the microwave but that’s ok. It will also be very hot so I recommending waiting a few minutes before you dive right in. Add a little extra Nutella on top – perhaps even a scoop of ice-cream – and then you have the perfect mini dessert.
See that jar of Nutella? (points up) My sister in law bought it for me for Christmas – does she know me well or WHAT? I considered not opening the jar because I loved it and wanted to keep it but obviously that resolution didn’t last long. Instead I felt inspired to kick off the year with a Nutella-themed treat since I had such an awesome supply.
More Nutella recipes
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Let’s Bake
Nutella Mug Cake Recipe
An easy Nutella Mug Cake made in the microwave.
Ingredients
- 35 grams (1/4 cup) plain flour or all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, sifted
- 3 tablespoons caster sugar or granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 large egg yolk
- 30 ml (2 tablespoons) vegetable oil or flavourless oil
- 45 ml (3 tablespoons) full fat or whole milk
- 1 tablespoon Nutella, plus extra on top
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, add the flour, cocoa powder, sugar and baking powder. Stir together.
- Add egg yolk, vegetable oil and milk and stir to combine. Pour the cake batter into a cup or mug (ensuring there is enough room for the cake to rise without overflowing).
- Add the Nutella in the middle. Then microwave your cake for approximately 80 seconds (900W microwave). Leave to cool for a minute or two. Add a little extra Nutella on top and then dive right in.
Paula says
I made this with a big group school kids. They loved the experience.
I made 2 changes, i used a hole egg and put 1 less tbsp of milk.
★★★★★
Jessica Holmes says
Oh that’s amazing to hear Paula! How fun!
Me says
Great
★★★★★
Maddy Oleschko says
Best mug cake recipe I have tried!
★★★★★
Jessica Holmes says
Yes! Love that!
Laura says
Pleasantly suprised! I thought mug cakes were a bit of a hoax because every one I’ve made has ended up raw or just terrible. I had a craving and thought I’d give it a go, and was pleasantly suprised that it actually tasted pretty good! And was really quick to make. It was also cooked all the way through. I used cacao powder instead of cocoa because it’s all I had in, I bet it would have tasted that bit nicer with actual cocoa powder as per the recipe, as cacao has a strong taste, but still it hit the spot. Thank you! Also if making, use a large mug!
★★★★
Jessica Holmes says
So glad you enjoyed it Laura!
Jennifer says
Delicious and easy to make. Use a BIG mug!
★★★★★
Jessica Holmes says
So glad you liked it!!
Milo says
Took about 5 minutes to make, very tasty especially the nutella in the middle. If you make this would recommend trying peanut butter in the middle as well!
★★★★★
Jessica Holmes says
So glad you enjoyed it Milo – and peanut butter would be amazing!
Lilly says
Such an amazing recipe that you can use whenever your in any sort of pinch!
★★★★★
Jessica Holmes says
So glad you enjoyed it Lilly!
Matra says
Nice cake texture but next time I’ll just use one heaped tbs perhaps…bit too much cocoa so found it overpowering
★★★★
Jessica Holmes says
Thanks for your feedback Matra.