We’ve all been there. You’re on the couch and the movie is just getting good. Suddenly, you need chocolate. Not just a piece of candy, but something warm and gooey.
The problem? You don’t want to wait an hour for the oven. You also don’t want to wash a greasy brownie pan. I’ve been in this exact spot more times than I can count.
That’s why this brownie in a mug is my secret weapon. It’s a classic American fudge brownie that lives in a cup. It’s dense, rich, and feels like a warm hug. It isn’t like those other “mug cakes” that taste like spongy bread. This is the real deal.
Quick Look: The Logistics
This recipe is built for speed. You go from “I’m hungry” to “I’m eating” in about six minutes.
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 1 minute to 1 minute 15 seconds
- Difficulty: Total beginner
- Servings: One hungry person
A quick tip from my own kitchen: If you are making this for two people, don’t try to double the recipe in one giant bowl. Microwaves are picky. They won’t cook a double batch evenly. Just make two separate mugs. It’s much safer.
Scaling for the Crowd
| Servings | Flour | Cocoa | Sugar | Milk | Oil |
| 1 Person | 1/4 cup | 2 tbsp | 2 tbsp | 1/4 cup | 2 tbsp |
| 2 People | 1/2 cup | 4 tbsp | 4 tbsp | 1/2 cup | 4 tbsp |
| 4 People | 1 cup | 8 tbsp | 8 tbsp | 1 cup | 8 tbsp |
What You’ll Need
Most of this is probably in your pantry right now. Since there are so few ingredients, the quality of your cocoa powder matters. Pick a good one!
The Dry Stuff:
- All-Purpose Flour: 1/4 cup
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: 2 tablespoons
- Granulated Sugar: 2 tablespoons (Use brown sugar if you want it chewier)
- Baking Powder: 1/4 teaspoon
- Salt: Just a pinch. Never skip the salt. It makes the chocolate pop.
The Wet Stuff:
- Milk: 1/4 cup (Room temperature is best)
- Vegetable Oil: 2 tablespoons
- Vanilla Extract: 1/4 teaspoon
If you want a healthy version, you can swap the oil for applesauce or a mashed banana. It will be a bit more like a snack cake, but still tasty.
Step-by-Step: Let’s Get Cooking!
1. Mix the dry base
Grab a 12 oz mug. Toss in your flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Use a fork to stir it until it’s all one color.
The big secret? Smush the cocoa lumps. If you don’t, you’ll bite into a pocket of bitter powder later. It’s not a fun surprise.
2. Add the liquids
Pour in your milk, oil, and vanilla. Stir it well. Make sure you dig into the bottom corners of the mug. You don’t want a hidden pile of dry flour down there! You want a thick, glossy batter that looks like a chocolate ribbon.
3. The microwave magic
Put your mug in the middle of the microwave. Cook on high for 60 seconds. Every microwave is a different beast.
After a minute, the top should look dry. Give it a jiggle. The center should still move just a tiny bit. If it’s still liquid, give it 15 more seconds. Don’t overcook it. It will turn into a hockey puck very fast.
4. The hard part: Wait
Let it sit for 2 minutes. I know, it’s tough. But the heat inside is still finishing the center. This turns it into fudge instead of steam. If it sinks a little, don’t worry. That’s a sign it’s going to be dense and delicious.
Fun Ways to Mix It Up
This recipe is like a blank canvas. I love tossing in dark chocolate chunks or a spoonful of peanut butter.
| Style | Add-in / Change | Result |
| The Nutty Professor | 1 tbsp Peanut Butter | A salty, melty center |
| The Mocha | Use espresso instead of 1 tbsp milk | Very deep chocolate flavor |
| The Protein Boost | Swap 1 tbsp flour for protein powder | A filling snack |
| The Midnight Snack | Handful of mini marshmallows | A gooey s’mores vibe |
Serving and Leftovers
You can eat this straight from the mug. Most people do. But if you want to be fancy, run a knife around the edge and flip it onto a plate. Add a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream. The hot and cold combo is amazing.
Eat this fresh. Microwave treats get dry and hard once they sit too long. If you have leftovers, cover the mug and keep it for a day. To fix it, add a drop of water and zap it for 10 seconds.
Would you like me to help you design a “Mug Cake Station” list so you can keep these ingredients ready to go?
PrintBrownie in a Mug
This isn’t just another “cakey” microwave dessert. It’s a dense, rich, and gooey brownie designed for those late-night cravings when you want chocolate now but don’t want to wash a pile of dishes.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 1 min 15 secs
- Total Time: ~6 mins
- Yield: 1 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 2 tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 2 tbsp Granulated Sugar (or brown sugar for more chew)
- 1/4 tsp Baking Powder
- 1 pinch Salt (don’t skip this!)
- 1/4 cup Milk (room temperature works best)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
- 1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Prep the Mug: Grab a microwave-safe mug (12 oz or larger).
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: Toss in the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Use a fork to stir until the color is even. Crucial step: Smash any cocoa clumps with your fork so you don’t get bitter dry spots.
- Mix in Liquids: Add the milk, oil, and vanilla. Stir until the batter is glossy and thick. Make sure to scrape the bottom “corners” of the mug to catch hidden flour.
- Microwave: Cook on high for 60 seconds. Check it—the top should look matte/set but the center should still have a tiny bit of wobble. If it’s still liquid, add 15 seconds. Watch closely: Overcooking turns this into a hockey puck!
- The 2-Minute Rest: This is the hardest part. Let the brownie sit for 2 minutes. The residual heat finishes the center, making it fudgy rather than steaming hot mush.
Notes
Serving Suggestions:
- A La Mode: Top with a big scoop of cold vanilla ice cream.
- Fancy Finish: Add a dollop of whipped cream or a swirl of salted caramel.
Tips & Tricks:
- Healthy Swap: Replace oil with unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana.
- The “Lava” Center: Drop a tablespoon of peanut butter or a few dark chocolate chunks into the middle before cooking.
- No Whisk? Use a fork! It’s actually better at breaking up cocoa lumps than a spoon.
Storage & Reheating:
- Fresh is Best: These are best eaten immediately.
- Leftovers: Cover the mug for up to 24 hours at room temperature.
- Reheat: Sprinkle a teaspoon of water on top and zap for 10-15 seconds to bring back the moisture.
