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5-Minute Microwavable Chocolate Lava Cake in a Mug!

When I first heard that you can make a cake in the microwave, I thought it was completely absurd. And then I tried it. It took me a while to get over the hilarity of making a cake in the microwave, but that first attempt actually tasted okay! Over the last few months I’ve been tweaking my own recipe and I think I’ve finally nailed it: a cake batter that compensates for the microwave’s quirks (namely, drying things out and dulling flavors) and tastes amazing.

With some coconut butter & maple syrup magic, this cake is actually moist, fluffy, and full of flavor. Plus, it comes with a simple chocolate lava icing that you can make in the 2 minutes it takes to cook this cake. 🙂

P.S. If you want to get all specific, this isn’t really a lava cake. Lava cakes are flourless cakes with runny centers, due to incredible amounts of eggs, butter and sugar. That’s obviously not what we’re doing here. This is more of a normal chocolate cake. However, it IS in the shape of a mountain, and it DOES have chocolate lava rolling down the sides… so I’m calling it a lava cake anyways:

Cake_Icing

Cake_Slice

Makes about 2-3 servings

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
  • 2 tablespoons all-prupose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/4 cup non-dairy milk
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2.5 tablespoons coconut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • Icing (same ingredients, see below)

Step One

In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients (the first list: whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt). Mix until fully combined.

In a separate bowl combine the wet ingredients (non-dairy milk, maple syrup, coconut butter, and vanilla) and pop this in the microwave for about 30 seconds until the cocoa butter is softened. Mix thoroughly until smooth.

Note: coconut butter is the purred flesh of a coconut. It’s like coconut oil but a little lower in fat and has a creamier texture. It can be found near the nut butters in your grocery store.

Step Two

Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry and *gently* mix together. As always with wheat flour, over-mixing will develop the gluten and make the batter rubbery – a few small lumps is fine. Transfer the batter to a large mug (or ramekin, or microwave-safe dish of any kind) that has been greased with non-stick spray or coconut oil.

Step Three

Honestly, the most difficult part of this recipe is knowing exactly how long to microwave the cake. For me, it was just about 90 seconds on full power. This will vary based on microwaves and the shape of the dish. A good rule of thumb is this: watch the cake rise. When it seems to have stopped rising, give it another 20-30 seconds or so and it should be perfect. A wooden toothpick should come out clean. Allow to cool before removing, or just eating inside the mug. But of course, not before you ice this cake-in-a-mug…

Cake_Mug

Step Four: Icing

You can actually make a delicious chocolate icing for this cake in under a minute and it only uses a few of the ingredients you should already have on hand from the cake. Here’s how: combine about 1-1.5 tablespoons of each of maple syrup, coconut butter, and cocoa powder. Microwave for about 20 seconds and stir until the cocoa powder dissolves. Icing!

Cake_Iced

  • 17 Comments

    Leave a Reply
    1. This looks amazing! Is there any way to make it gluten free by subbing in something else for the whole wheat flour?

    2. Well I just made this Totally delicious and so easy I subbed avocado oil agave syrup and used an unsweetened coconut almond milk Thanks great recipe

      • Nice! I’m glad you liked it, Robyn (and bonus points for making it within hours of it being published) 😀

    3. Hi. Quick question about the serving size. It says it makes 2-3 servings.

      Does that mean there is enough batter to fill 2 or 3 mugs? Or that we are only supposed to eat half or a third of what is in the mug?

      • Hi Kim, I was referring to the fact that it’s pretty big for one person/one serving (unless you’ve had a really bad day) but I guess it’s kind of the same thing either way, right? You could split it into several small mugs, or just use one large mug and slice it into servings.

    4. Andrew, this looks great! Always love your recipes and always happy to find a great processed-sugar-free dessert idea. 🙂

    5. Wow. This is amazing! I just made it because I had a chocolate craving and it did just the trick. I ate half of it and I’m totally satisfied, it must be all the whole, natural ingredients 🙂 I love it. I’ll definitely be making this again.

    6. Hi Andrew, this looks really good! Do you think it is possible to use some vegan maragine instead of coconut butter?

    7. Oh my! Just found your website and just made this cake! It’s the moistest I’ve ever made in a mug. I made your pancakes earlier this morning and they were gone in a flash.

      • Oh, that’s great Patrice! I put a lot of effort into making sure the cake would be moist (since microwaves tend to dry things out) so I’m glad it turned well for you.

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