Get ready for dessert in a flash! These simple steps will guide you to mug cake nirvana in just five minutes, start to finish.

Step 1: Gather Your Mug and Dry Ingredients

First, find a microwave-safe mug that’s at least 10-12 ounces in size. This will give your mug cake enough room to rise without overflowing. In the mug, combine the dry ingredients: ¼ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, and ⅛ teaspoon baking powder. Add that tiny pinch of salt too. Using a fork, whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly. This step is crucial to ensure that the baking powder and cocoa powder are evenly distributed throughout the flour, preventing clumps and ensuring a consistent texture and rise. Mixing the dry ingredients first also prevents the cocoa powder from clumping when you add the wet ingredients. Take your time here to get it well combined – it makes a difference!

Step 2: Incorporate the Wet Ingredients

Now, it’s time to bring in the moisture and richness. To the mug with the dry ingredients, add ¼ cup milk, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. Pour them right into the center of the dry ingredients.

Step 3: Mix Until Just Combined

Using your fork again, gently mix the wet and dry ingredients together. Start from the center and gradually work your way outwards, incorporating the dry ingredients into the wet. The key here is to mix until just combined. You want to avoid overmixing the batter. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tougher, less tender mug cake. A few streaks of flour are okay at this stage – they’ll disappear as it bakes. The batter should be smooth and relatively lump-free, but don’t strive for absolute perfection. A slightly rustic batter is perfectly fine for a mug cake.

Step 4: Add Chocolate Chips (Optional but Highly Recommended!)

If you’re a true chocolate lover (and who isn’t?), now is the time to add those optional chocolate chips. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips over the batter in the mug. You can gently push some of them down into the batter and leave some on top for a melty chocolatey crust. The warmth of the baking process will melt these chocolate chips into gooey pockets of pure delight throughout your mug cake. Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate chips – dark chocolate for intensity, milk chocolate for sweetness, or even white chocolate for a contrasting flavor.

Step 5: Microwave to Perfection

Place your mug in the microwave. Microwave on high power for 60-90 seconds. Microwaves vary in wattage, so the exact cooking time might differ slightly. Start with 60 seconds and check for doneness. The mug cake is ready when the top appears set (it will still be slightly soft to the touch) and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, not wet batter. Be careful not to overbake it, as it can become dry. If it’s still very wet in the center after 90 seconds, microwave for another 10-15 seconds at a time until done, checking in between intervals. Remember, it will continue to cook slightly as it cools.

Step 6: Let it Cool Slightly and Indulge!

Carefully remove the mug from the microwave (it will be hot!). Let it cool for a minute or two before digging in. This allows the mug cake to set a bit further and cool down enough to enjoy without burning your tongue. The aroma will be absolutely irresistible at this point! Now, grab a spoon and dive into your warm, gooey, and utterly delicious 5-Minute Chocolate Mug Cake. Enjoy every single chocolatey bite!