Can I interest you in a healthyish gooey chocolate mug brownie? This 3 ingredient chocolate mug cake recipe is going to your new fave quick and easy healthier dessert! All you need is 3 ingredients and 3 minutes!
My baby is 6! He turned the big 6 yesterday and I’m still trying to come to terms with it. Why does time go so fast!? I can remember his first few months so clearly, the foggy haze of new motherhood and not having any clue of what I was doing. To be honest, I still have on clue what I’m doing but I’m used to the feeling by now 😉
We had a pretty simple little party for Ozzy at a nearby playground with a few friends and more than a few cupcakes. It was perfect, and so heartwarming to see him play with his buds after all of the quarantine craziness from this year.
Today for his actual birthday we had his grandparents come over for cake…but the cake, unfortunately, was the star of the show. I wanted to make a mini ice cream cake, but it was SO hot and I didn’t leave enough time for it so it turned into a bit of a puddle. Disappointing for me, but no one else seemed to mind, including the birthday boy. So that’s really what matters, right? Right!?
Anyway, I probably should have just made everyone a 3 ingredient chocolate mug cake instead.
What is a mug cake?
If you haven’t had a mug cake yet, you really need to change that! It’s basically a few ingredients thrown into a coffee mug and microwaved into a super delicious cake. There’s a ton of different ideas out there on the web for flavors, but I love just a basic chocolate one, topped with chocolate chips and some whipped cream!
For this particular recipe, you only need 3 ingredients!!
- cocoa powder
- 1 egg
- maple syrup
Is this a healthy mug cake?
I would say this is 3 ingredient chocolate mug cake is on the healthier side. There’s no flour, no refined sugar (in the base) and you could argue that the egg gives you a nice little protein boost!
How do you make a 3 ingredient mug cake?
The EASIEST dessert!
In a mug, whisk together the cocoa powder, egg and maple syrup. If you like your chocolate cake fairly sweet, I would suggest adding a 1/2 teaspoon of sugar; otherwise, the maple syrup should be sufficient!
I like my chocolate cake just sweet enough, not tooth-aching.
Once the ingredients are whisked together, pop the mug in the microwave and heat the cake for about 40 seconds, or until cooked and soft. Since times could vary on the wattage of your microwave, start with 40 seconds and check it; if it’s looking really runny and it hasn’t puffed up, pop it back into the microwave for another 10-15 seconds.
Top that baby with some chocolate chips, whipped cream and fruit and enjoy!
Since the cake is so basic, you can customize the toppings! Add chopped nuts, Skor bits, salted caramel sauce, mini M&M’s, fruit, you name it!
So good!
Some other super easy treats for you to try:
- salted caramel chocolate almond clusters
- 3 ingredient flourless chocolate cake
- giant peanut butter cup

3 Ingredient Chocolate Mug Cake
- Total Time: 3 minutes
- Yield: 1 mug cake 1x
Description
Can I interest you in a healthyish gooey chocolate mug brownie? This 3 ingredient chocolate mug cake recipe is going to your new fave quick and easy healthier dessert!
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup*
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- optional: whipped cream, chocolate chips, Skor bits, etc
Instructions
- In a coffee mug, whisk together the egg, maple syrup and cocoa powder. If using a larger mug, feel free to double the recipe! Microwave the mug for 40 seconds** or until puffed up and fudgy looking! Top with chocolate chips, whipped cream, or anything else you want. Enjoy!
Notes
*I like my chocolate cake on the less sweet side; if you want to amp up the sweetness, you can add 1/2 tsp of granulated sugar
**Depending on your microwave’s wattage the cook time may vary. Start with 40 seconds and if it’s not cooked, pop it back in for another 10-15 seconds.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: microwave
- Cuisine: american
Keywords: gooey chocolate mug cake brownie // 3 ingredient chocolate mug cake // gooey chocolate mug cake recipe // 3 ingredient mug cake


Happy Birthday to your sweet boy, Oscar!! I love that he didn’t mind a bit about the melted cake and, you’re right, that’s all that matters. 😉
Love this rich, tasty, healthyish, mug cake. So easy!!
★★★★★
Haha no he didn’t, thankfully. I think I still need to re-do it though 😉 Thanks Marissa!!
That texture is just incredible Katherine! I would love to try this amazing mug cake!
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Thanks Christie!! It is such an easy dessert, and delicious!
I hope Ozzy had a fabulous birthday! Your kiddos are growing up SO fast!! Love the sound of this mug cake and how easy it is to make! YUM!!
I can’t believe how fast they’re growing up. It breaks my heart a little! Thanks Kelly!!
I can never resist a quick and easy sweet treat, and this chocolate mug cake is perfect to satisfy cravings! 🙂
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PERFECT way to satisfy those cravings!! Thanks Alex!
Sounds so incredible. Simple and chocolate is the way to go for a quick chocolate fix, which I get quite often! YUM!
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I need my chocolate every day, Kim! Thanks pal!!
You might convince me to get a microwave with this recipe Katherine!😉. Looks so delicious and so easy!! And six, it’s amazing how the time flies. I’m also with you on not really having a clue to what I’m doing with motherhood, but I’ve also gotten used to that feeling.
Once you get used to that feeling it gets a little easier, right? Haha. Thanks Tasia – I don’t know you survive without a microwave!!!!
You got my attention the other day on IG with this recipe! Looks like the perfect dessert to whip up when you’re craving something chocolatey but don’t need a lot. Happy birthday to Oscar! Hope he had an awesome day.
★★★★★
YES! It’s perfect for those days. Which, for me, is pretty much every day. Thank you!! He had a terrific day!
Oscar is 6? WHERE does time go? That’s crazy! Tell him happy belated bday from me! And I’m coming over for mug cake and coffee later–this looks delicious!
I KNOW isn’t that totally nuts!? Thanks Kelsie!! Can’t wait for the coffee and cake date!
Can’t beat a quick and easy mug cake Katherine! Better sometimes than having the whole cake, because I’d be too tempted to have more than one slice. Pinned!
★★★★★
YES that’s exactly what they’re good for. I usually can’t stop at just 1 piece of cake haha! Thank you Mary Ann!
Happy birthday to Oscar! Love that this has only 3 ingredients and it looks this good! Such a fun (and delicious) treat when I’m craving something sweet 🙂
★★★★★
Thanks Dawn!! He had a terrific day. I love this treat for those cravings!
How is it that I have never tried a mug cake before? But yours looks so easy and delicious! I have got to try it soon!!
★★★★★
It is SO good!! And such an easy way to cure that chocolate craving!
I agree, Katherine – WHERE does the time go? My youngest – starting college this year? How did that happen? He’s just a baby, after all. Anyway, just another reason I absolutely need this easy microwave, super-chocolatey, let me eat my feelings in a controlled way, cake. thanks so much!
★★★★★
Wooow that’s crazy! I will need all of the chocolate when my kids go off to college. The time goes so fast doesn’t it!? Thank you Laura!!
Recipes like this are dangerous, Katherine! Dangerous to know we are seconds away from this warm, chocolaty goodness! Yum!
★★★★★
So dangerous!! As I sit here replying to you I’m thinking about running to the kitchen to make one, haha!
This mug cake looks amazing, so gooey and delicious! And with these wonderful ingredients, I won’t feel guilty about sneaking in a little scoop of ice cream! 😉
★★★★★
It is so gooey, I love it!! Thanks Catherine. Gotta have that vanilla ice cream!!
Give a big hug to your big boy Katherine ! It’s very hot over here and I thank you for this lovely and quick chocolate dessert !
★★★★★
Lots of hugs for that boy lately 🙂 Thanks Davorka!!
I did this for a project, but I had no Cocoa powder, so I substituted it with Milo powder, a milk powder famous here where I live. Over all, a great recipe! Thank youuu!
★★★★★
Hooray! Happy to hear the substitution worked out.
Loved the simplicity!
XO from TO
★★★★
Thank you!!
Is there something I can substitute the maple syrup with?
★★★★★
Honey would work just as well, but I haven’t tried any other sweetener than those
If I use hot chocolate powder that has sugar already in it, do I really need the maple syrup?
Probably not, I would give it a try without first!
Great recipe love it alot
★★★★★
Can you use the oven instead of the microwave? Unfortunately I don’t have a microwave
★★★★
My mug cake was very dry and i put all of the right ingredients i did this twice and it failed
★★★