Brownie Mug Cake

Published: Aug 21, 2021 · Modified: Aug 21, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links.

This rich, decadent Brownie Mug Cake is ready in just 5 minutes from start to finish. Save this delicious, fudgy, single-serve brownie to enjoy at the end of the day.

Don’t want to make a whole pan of brownies? When I’m craving chocolate but only need one serving, this single serve mug brownie recipe is my go-to! It’s made with simple ingredients and comes together quickly, but still has a big payout in flavor!

If you have a little more time, you could whip up some 4-Ingredient Vegan Fudge or No-Bake Vegan Cocoa Maca-roons. (As a bonus, both of these recipes can be made in advance and stored for later snacking!) But if you’re not feeling chocolate, you can whip up a batch of these crispy and creamy Baked Banana Wontons—with or without the Coconut Caramel Sauce!

This Brownie Mug Cake recipe is… 

• Made with 10 ingredients
• Egg-free
• Easily made dairy-free 
• Cooked in the microwave 
• Quick to make
• Single-serve

How to Make Brownie Mug Cake

1. Whisk all dry ingredients together until well-combined.
2. Next add in the milk, vanilla, and oil. Mix well till combined. 
3. Fold in the nuts and chocolate chips. 
4. Place mug in the microwave and cook until the brownie is done. 

Tips & Tricks for Brownie Mug Cakes

Microwave-Safe Mug 

Make sure to use a microwave-safe mug. You also want to make sure your mug will be large enough to hold the brownie batter—and have room for the batter to expand as it cooks. 

Whisk 

I recommend using a whisk to mix the ingredients together. You will find that a whisk will help you avoid having dry lumps of flour or cocoa powder in your brownie. 

Cooking Time 

All microwaves cook slightly different, so make sure to watch your brownie. You don’t want it to get overcooked and dry out! I would start with 50–60 seconds of cooking time, then check your brownie. If it is still doughy and wet, cook it in the microwave for another 10–30 seconds. Then go from there. 

Variations to Brownie Mug Cakes

Dairy-Free 

You can swap out the milk in this recipe for any of your favorite plant-based dairy replacements. As for the chocolate chips, you can omit them or swap them out with a dairy-free version as well. 

Mix-Ins 

Get creative! Try adding chocolate chips and nuts, only nuts, peanut butter cups, or other chopped candy bars. Have fun mixing in whatever your heart desires! 

Toppings 

Try drizzling some caramel sauce over the top with some crushed pecans for a turtle-style dessert. Or try adding a little frosting for a frosted brownie!

Brownie Mug Cake FAQs

How do I know when my mug brownie is done? 

You will know when the brownie is done by the way it looks and feels. The brownie will dry up a bit and not have any more wet batter.

You can test this by sticking a toothpick in the center of the brownie. If there is any wet batter on the toothpick, return the brownie to the microwave and cook your brownie a bit longer. 

Can I make this brownie dessert in advance? 

Want to mix up all the dry ingredients in advance? Go right ahead. Place the dry ingredients in a bag or airtight container. Then write the list of liquid ingredients (oil, milk, and vanilla) on the bag so you can whip up your mug brownie as quickly as possible when you want it! 

Does this recipe work with gluten-free flour? 

I have not tried making these mug brownies with gluten-free flour, but you should easily be able to swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure to convert the measurement if needed.