This hot chocolate mug cake is rich, gooey, and ready in minutes! It's made with hot cocoa mix, chocolate chips, & marshmallows for the perfect quick treat.
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🤎 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's a great twist on a classic sweet treat. Think about your favorite cup of hot chocolate, made into an ooey, gooey cake. It's a perfect warm dessert!
- It's ready in under 5 minutes - perfect for those late night cravings.
- The ingredients are really simple. You probably have them on hand already, especially if you're a hot chocolate fan!
🍫 Ingredients & Substitutions
- 1 packet hot cocoa/hot chocolate mix - This is going to equal about ¼ cup if you're using a bigger container. Note: this is not plain cocoa powder; hot cocoa mix has sugar and milk powder added, which this recipe needs!
- ¼ cup flour - I recommend all-purpose flour for this recipe (it's the kind you probably already have on hand).
- ¼ cup milk - Whole milk is going to give this cake a really rich, smooth finish.
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil - You can use really any fat you'd like; melted butter, canola oil, or coconut oil are all great in this recipe. I like vegetable oil because a) most people have it and b) it gives the cake a little bit of texture.
- 2 tbsp milk chocolate chips - These will give you pockets of gooey chocolate throughout your cake! If you want a little bit more bite, use semi-sweet chocolate instead.
- mini marshmallows - What's a cup of hot chocolate without marshmallows? You'll just need a small handful for this recipe.
Additions
- If you'd like a fluffier, less dense cake, add ½ teaspoon baking powder. I prefer more of a "lava" cake, so I leave it out.
- Give your cake a real "lava cake" feel by pressing one jumbo marshmallow into the center of the batter before baking.
- Want it extra chocolatey? Add chocolate syrup or hot fudge to the top of your finished cake!
☕️ Try more mug cake recipes, like this birthday cake mug cake or my easy cake mix mug cake!
☕️ How to Make Hot Chocolate Mug Cake
- In a microwave-safe mug, combine 1 packet of hot cocoa mix and ¼ cup of flour. Pour in ¼ cup of milk and 2 tablespoon vegetable oil, stirring until smooth.
- Mix in 2 tablespoon chocolate chips, then gently sprinkle a handful of mini marshmallows on top (without mixing).
- Microwave for 60 seconds, or until the top is set. Let it cool for 1–2 minutes before serving.
🎬 Step-by-Step Recipe Video
❄️ How to Serve & Store
SERVING: I like to wait a minute or two before enjoying my mug cake; it can be a little too hot as soon as it comes out of the microwave.
Feel free to add more mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, or chocolate syrup to the top of your mug cake before serving. It's also great with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or ice cream!
I'd enjoy this within 30-40 minutes of making it.
STORAGE: I don't recommend saving leftovers. They tend to get kind of rubbery and dry after 30-40 minutes. Just toss them and make a fresh cake next time you need a chocolate fix.
👏🏻 Helpful Tips & Tricks
- Your mug needs to be microwave-safe and roughly double the size of the mixed batter before you put it in the microwave. If it fills more of the mug than that, it will likely overflow during cooking.
- If you make more than one mug cake, you'll still need to microwave them individually to cook them properly.
- Try putting your mug cake on the outside of your microwave's turntable to get the most even cooking.
🙋🏻♀️ FAQs
More Chocolatey Mug Cakes
I hope you love this hot cocoa mug cake! If you give it a try, I'd love to hear what you think - make sure to leave a comment 💭 and review ⭐️ below!
Hot Chocolate Mug Cake
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Ingredients
- 1 packet hot cocoa mix (about ¼ cup)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoon milk chocolate chips
- mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Mix 1 packet of hot cocoa mix and ¼ cup flour together in a microwave-safe mug. Add milk and vegetable oil; stir until blended.
- Add chocolate chips to the batter and stir slightly, until incorporated. Add a handful of mini marshmallows to the top of the batter.
- Microwave mug cake for 60 seconds, until the cake on the top is set. Allow to cool for 1-2 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Serving tips – top with extra marshmallows, chocolate chips, or whipped cream.
- Best eaten fresh – doesn’t store well, so enjoy right away.
- Microwave safety – use a mug twice the size of the batter to prevent overflow
- Microwave one at a time for proper cooking.
- Place the mug cake on the edge of the turntable for even heating.
Nutrition Facts
Leslie Lambert is a lifestyle writer and content creator specializing in home organization, family recipes, and intentional living. With 16 years of experience in blogging and digital storytelling, she helps busy women create calm, purposeful homes they love.
