Hot Chocolate Mug Cake

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This Hot Chocolate Mug Cake recipe uses just a few simple ingredients and cooks in a mug right in the microwave. One of the ingredients... Hot Cocoa Mix! Hot chocolate in cake form is a fun single serving dessert. Don't forget the warm, gooey marshmallows on top.

microwave hot chocolate mug cake topped with mini marshmallows

Making a microwave dessert like this hot chocolate mug cake is the perfect treat! Some of my other favorite mug cake or cookie recipes are this Sugar Cookie in a Mug, Red Velvet Mug Cake, Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug, and this 3-Ingredient Nutella Mug Cake

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Why I love this Recipe
Ingredients
Step by Step - Video
Frequently Asked Questions
When To Add Marshmallows
Recipe Tips
Related Recipes
Recipe
Reviews

Why I love this Recipe

Ready in Minutes - It takes only a minute to mix up the Hot Cocoa cake batter and then just a minute to 'bake' in the microwave
Single Serving Dessert - I love making mug desserts when I'm craving something sweet but don't want to make a whole batch.
Use Hot Chocolate Mix - It's a great way to use some of the hot cocoa mix in your pantry! Another way to use up hot cocoa mix are these Hot Chocolate Brownies!

Ingredients

All Purpose Flour
Hot Cocoa Mix - use your favorite! Use a kind that can be mixed with water - not one that requires milk.
White Sugar
Baking Powder
Milk
Canola Oil
Mini Marshmallows - for topping

Step by Step - Video

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use hot chocolate instead of cocoa powder in cake?

You can swap in hot chocolate mix for cocoa powder in many baking recipes. Because hot cocoa mix is typically made up of cocoa powder, sugar, and milk powder the cake will not have as deep of a chocolate flavor as if you used only cocoa powder.

Do you add the marshmallows before or after cooking?

Either! You can sprinkle the marshmallows on right after baking and they will melt slightly from the hot cake, add them with about 10 seconds left of cook time so they get more melty, or you can add at the very beginning so they completely melt into the hot cocoa mug cake. Like in the picture below!

What type of Hot Cocoa Mix should be used?

The most important part is to use a mix that says it can be mixed with just water, not one that requires mixing with milk. The mixes that can be mixed with water have powdered milk, which is important to this recipe.

Can I make more than one mug cake at once?

This recipe is written for one mug cake, but you can easily double it to make two! You can either mix them up separately. Or mix up together and then divide the batter between two mugs. It’s best to microwave them separately, though.

Do I need to grease the mug for a mug cake?

Because you eat the cookie right out of the mug, you do not need to grease. Although, if you want easier clean up you could spray with cooking spray before mixing up and cooking. I do not grease and instead just soak the mug in some warm soapy water for a few minutes before cleaning to remove any cooked on bits.

Hot cocoa mug cake made in the microwave with gooey marshmallows on top

When To Add Marshmallows

You can sprinkle the marshmallows on right after baking and they will melt slightly from the hot cake, add them with about 10 seconds left of cook time so they get more melty, or you can add at the very beginning so they completely melt into the hot cocoa mug cake. Like in the picture above!

Recipe Tips

Don't Over Cook - To make sure your mug cake stays soft, you don't want to over cook. I recommend checking it earlier in the cook time, because you can always microwave longer.
Any Microwave Safe Dish Can Be Used - This recipe doesn't have to be made in a mug. You could use another dish like a ramekin or even small bowl - just keep in mind that using a different size may impact the microwave cook time.

Microwave mug cake made using hot chocolate mix

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Recipe

mug cake made using hot cocoa mix with marshmallows

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

Author: Kathleen
Prep Time: 4 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 mug cake
Category: Dessert
Method: Microwave
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

3 tablespoons All Purpose Flour
2 tablespoons Hot Cocoa Mix
1 tablespoon Granulated White Sugar
¼ teaspoon Baking Powder
2 tablespoons Milk
1 tablespoon Canola Oil
5 Mini Marshmallows, optional

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Instructions

Mix Batter. Add all ingredients, except for mini marshmallows, to a microwave-safe mug. Use a fork to mix up until the batter is smooth.
Optional: If desired, you can top with the marshmallows before baking - they will completely melt into the cake. Or, you can top at the end. See post for picture differences.
Microwave. Microwave cake for 45 seconds to 1 minute, until the cake is just set and cooked. Top with marshmallows. Cake is best eaten warm soon after making.

Notes

Hot Cocoa Mix - Make sure to use a mix that can be mixed with water, not one that must be mixed with milk. Use your favorite mix and have fun experimenting with different kinds.

Mug - Any standard size (8 ounces or larger) coffee mug works! The cake will puff up slightly and rise as it bakes. The most important piece is to use a mug that is microwave safe!