This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
You all know how much I love espresso/coffee-flavored things.
I try to combine coffee and chocolate all the time in my recipes because I just love how it tastes.
Well, here we are. An espresso chocolate mug cake to give me (and you) that coffee + chocolate flavor satisfaction!
As you all know, I’m kind of a big deal with my recipe for chocolate mug cake.
It’s the most popular recipe on my site because it is so incredibly easy to make and the best single-serving dessert!
Mug cake flavors
I have several mug cake flavors on my site so whatever you are feeling, you will be sure to get your quick dessert fix!
- The famous chocolate mug cake
- Vanilla mug cake
- Dark chocolate mug cake
- Peanut butter chocolate mug cake
- Salted caramel apple spice mug cake
- Pumpkin spice mug cake
And now, this espresso chocolate mug cake where you get coffee and chocolate in every single bite!
Oh you guys, it is so good and so decadent.
It’s of course amazing topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, too!
What is a mug cake?
I still seem to get this question a lot so I’ll just clear it up before we get into the nitty gritty.
A mug cake is literally as it sounds. A cake that is made in a mug.
A microwave-safe mug! This is not one for the oven.
Is this one still without eggs?
Yes, this one is still egg-free!
Can I make this in the oven?
This recipe for espresso chocolate mug cake is specifically for the microwave.
I can’t find espresso powder.
You could grind up some coffee beans and substitute that.
What kind of espresso powder?
Honestly, any kind works in this since you are just mixing it with the dry ingredients.
I used instant espresso powder.
Can I grind up espresso beans and use that instead?
Yes, I would do a very fine grind.
Can I pour espresso shots into the batter instead?
You could but you would likely need to make sure that the flour to liquid ratio is correct otherwise your batter will be really runny and it would take longer to cook.
Will this mug cake keep me up at night?
Depends on how sensitive to caffeine you are.
If you are sensitive, then I suggest using decaf or having another mug cake flavor.
Can I put something else in the center of the mug cake?
Absolutely!
Espresso Chocolate Mug Cake
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (31 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar, (you can add 1 tbsp. more if you like it a bit sweeter)
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup (61 g) + 1 tbsp. milk
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.
- Whisk in the milk and vegetable oil until all ingredients are combined and batter has no clumps.
- Pour batter into a microwave-safe mug. Mine was a 14-ounce mug. You want enough head space for the cake to rise without pouring over.
- Add mini chocolate chips in the middle of the batter. Just drop it in the middle, no need to push it down and sink it in the batter. It does that on its own when it cooks! :)
- Place a paper towel into the microwave and set the mug on top (this is to catch any batter if your mug cake overflows).
- Microwave mug cake for 70 seconds on high (PLEASE READ NOTES CAREFULLY BELOW)
- Carefully remove from microwave and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Photography by Molly Krebs
It was too bitter.
Made this tonight and it was delicious! Has quite a bite with espresso powder and dark chocolate!
YES! Great recipe. I make a lemon cake with vegetable oil so I knew how moist and yummy your cake would be, and it was! I used dark chocolate chips, 2.5 T sugar, and cooked it for 65 seconds. Added whipped cream. Will definitely be making it again in other variations. Thank you!
Mine did not turn out decadent and amazing… It just tasted like a sponge… like I had forgotten the sugar, espresso powder, and cocoa powder–but I hadn’t. No idea why it didn’t turn out.
I just ran this through another calorie calculator. I left out the mini chips in the calculation. It calculated at 499 calories, using skim milk.
Oh yeah, this is good. I’m glad it’s only a single mug, any more and I’d eat it too. It really filled my craving. Now I can go back to salad and low carb for the rest of the week, and make another one when I “need” a chocolate fix. Thank you for this recipe.
Can we use milk powder instead of milk? can we add water also? If yes for water what are the substitutes and modifications in the recipe and quantity of water to be used for any mugcake flavor?
you’re asking questions that i didn’t test the recipe with so unfortunately, i don’t know the answers! sorry.
The cake was decadent and beyond anything I have ever made in a microwave (and I have made quite a lot, trust me). Thanks for this wonderful recipe. I am keeping this one for my late-night coffee cravings.
Awesome! Wonderful to hear.
Tried this last night…it was delicious! If you have a sweet tooth definitely add in the 3rd tblsp of sugar but I thought it was the perfect sweetness especially since I added a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Thanks so much, Ines! Glad you enjoyed it!
Would love to try this but the calories for one serving seem SO high! Is this accurate? 600 calories??
I just plugged the ingredients into my fitness pal and that’s what it returned to me so i assume it is correct!