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.
John says
We fluffy cake and it was delicious
Jessica Holmes says
So glad you liked it!
Fessy says
Been baking cakes for 25 years, this was perfect!! Light fluffy right amount of chocolate, I cooked for 1 minute 40 seconds @800w microwave.
Turned it onto a plate, this will be new family favourite now!! Thank you
Jessica Holmes says
Yaaay! Love hearing that!!
Rachael says
The taste isn’t bad, could be better but that’s my fault because I didn’t add enough Nutella. My main issue is it’s just really dry. I didn’t overcook it because this is my second time making it and I cooked it less than I did last time it’s still really dry.
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Rachael, try make sure you aren’t adding to much flour/cocoa powder as that could result in a dry cake. And maybe try reducing the cooking time for your microwave.
Claire says
Best mug cake BY FAR I’ve made a few & my husband has never been very impressed. I insisted he try this one and he wanted me to make him one too, as it’s so good!
Jessica Holmes says
Yes! Love hearing that Claire!
Nicki says
Perfect texture and great flavour. The Nutella pooled at the bottom of the mug which was particularly delicious! I’d definitely recommend it, especially with a scoop of ice cream.
Jessica Holmes says
Oh love that Nicki!
Liam says
Amazing
Jerry says
Very tasty 😀
Wendy says
OMG…your recipe has put an end to my disappointing journey to find the ultimate Nutella Mug Cake. I’ve tried ALOT of Nutella Mug Cake recipes over the years and wasted numerous jars of Nutella. Your recipe made a super moist,chocolatey cake and the bites with Nutella in them were absolutely devine. I will have to try some of your other Nutella recipes to see if they are as fabulous as the mug cake!
Jessica Holmes says
Yay! I love hearing that Wendy! I’m so glad you love it as much as I do!
Jade says
Hi where is the nutrition details? Thank you
Jessica Holmes says
Sorry I don’t have them Jade!
ellie says
it was so moist and delicious i would recommend this
Jessica Holmes says
So glad you enjoyed it Ellie!
Lilybelle says
I love this as it is easy to make and delicious 😌✨🧚♀️💅💋❤️❤️❤️❤️💖💖💖💖
Jessica Holmes says
Yay! So happy to hear that!
Laura says
Deliciously decadent and easy to make treat – with a bit of ice cream on top 👌 you can’t get better than that.
Jessica Holmes says
Yes Laura! Love that!
Ashley says
Wow! I’ve been looking for a good mug cake for so long and I’ve FINALLY found the BEST one 😀
Jessica Holmes says
YAY! So glad you love it as much as I do!
Ross says
Can you uses olive oil or sunflower oil instead of vegetable oil
Jessica Holmes says
Yes!
Lauren says
Is it bad I’ve had this twice in the past three days? Had a craving again but I found the whole recipe was a bit much for me the first time, so I divided the batter in half (in smaller mugs), kept the Nutella amount the same (duh) and microwaved for half the time. It was absolutely perfect and I have another half of the recipe prepped in the fridge for when I’m feeling that craving again🤗
Jessica Holmes says
Love this Lauren! So glad you enjoyed it – and halving the recipe is brilliant too.