This post may contain affiliate links.
If you’re craving something chocolatey, warm, and gooey but don’t have the time to bake an entire cake, then this Microwave Lava Cake with Nutella is the perfect dessert for you!
This Microwave Lava Cake is ideal for those moments when you need a quick chocolate fix, and it’s so simple that you can make it in just a few minutes.
HERE IS WHAT OUR READERS ARE SAYING:
“I’ve been making this recipe for the past 3 years and my entire family LOVES it!!! Thank you so much! I like to add a Lindt truffle in the middle with my Nutella, it really complements the recipe! Love to eat it with ice cream as well!” – Allison
With a rich, molten chocolate center and a fluffy, cake-like exterior, this molten chocolate lava mug cake is a dream come true for chocolate lovers.
One of the best things about this recipe is that it uses simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
All you need is a coffee mug, a few pantry staples, and a microwave. In less than two minutes, you’ll have a delicious chocolate dessert with the perfect texture for late-night chocolate cravings.
Plus, since it’s a single serving recipe, there’s no need to worry about leftovers—just enjoy your warm, gooey cake straight out of the mug!
This gooey chocolate mug cake is not only easy to make but also incredibly versatile. You can customize it with your favorite toppings, add-ins, and flavors to make it your own.
We’ve waited long enough! Let’s get into this Microwave Lava Cake! That molten middle is just calling to me.
Some of our other favorite CAKE RECIPES we have on our site include: From Scratch Apple Pie Cupcakes Recipe, Best Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe, and White Chocolate Golden Oreo Cheesecake Bars Recipe.
Jump to:
- WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- HOW TO MAKE MICROWAVE LAVA CAKE:
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
- DO I HAVE TO TAKE IT OUT OF THE CUP?
- HOW LONG DOES THIS COOK FOR?
- ANY ADDITIONS?
- ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
- HOW TO STORE:
- DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Nutella Microwave Lava Cake in a Mug
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Quick and Easy: This microwave mug cake comes together in just a few minutes, making it perfect for when you’re short on time but still want a delicious treat.
- Simple Ingredients: With basic pantry staples like flour, sugar, cocoa, and milk, you can whip up this dessert anytime you’re in the mood for chocolate.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the recipe to suit your taste by adding different flavors, toppings, or mix-ins, making it a versatile dessert option.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Self-raising flour
- Granulated sugar
- Cocoa powder
- Vegetable oil
- Milk
- Nutella
- Egg
- Optional: Ice cream or whipped cream
HOW TO MAKE MICROWAVE LAVA CAKE:
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, cocoa, oil, milk, egg and 1 tablespoon Nutella. Mix all together until you have a smooth mixture.
- Grab a cup and coat with oil and a mixture of flour and cocoa (just a tiny bit). Shake the excess off.
- Pour the batter into the cup (aim to fill no more than 3/4 of the cup).
- Add 2 tablespoons of Nutella in the middle. You can add more if you want a richer “lava” in your cake (or use chocolate with a more runny texture when melted).
- Place into the microwave on high for 1 min 40 seconds. You may need to experiment with that as microwaves have different settings (mine is 850 watts). The secret is not to overcook the batter. The cake should rise with a fluffy texture and a glossy top.
- Serve immediately.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
DO I HAVE TO TAKE IT OUT OF THE CUP?
No, you don’t have to take this molten chocolate cake out of the cup.
The beauty of this microwave chocolate lava cake recipe is that you can enjoy it straight from the coffee mug.
Just grab a spoon and dig into the gooey center for a ridiculously satisfying treat!
Dipping into that warm cake is a little bit of heaven.
HOW LONG DOES THIS COOK FOR?
The cooking time is typically about 1 minute and 40 seconds, but it can vary depending on your microwave’s wattage.
Different microwaves have different power levels, so you may need to adjust the time slightly.
The key is to keep an eye on it and stop cooking as soon as the cake has risen and the top is glossy but still soft.
ANY ADDITIONS?
Mug cake recipes are great for adding all kinds of things!
- Chocolate chunks: Add some chocolate chunks or chips to the batter for an extra gooey center.
- Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla extract enhances the chocolate flavor.
- Peanut butter: Swirl in a spoonful of peanut butter for a nutty twist.
- Marshmallows: Add mini marshmallows for a s’mores-inspired treat.
- Chocolate sauce: Drizzle chocolate sauce over the top for added sweetness.
- Crushed cookies: Sprinkle crushed Oreos or graham crackers on top for a crunchy texture.
- Nuts: Add chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds for some extra crunch.
- Spices: Mix in a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Fruit: Top with fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries for a fruity contrast.
- Whipped cream: Add a dollop of whipped cream for a creamy finish.
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
This molten lava cake works with lots of different ingredients.
Let me know how it turns out in the comments!
- Self-raising flour: Use all-purpose flour with a pinch of baking powder as a substitute.
- Vegetable oil: Replace with melted butter or coconut oil for a richer flavor.
- Nutella: Use any chocolate spread or even peanut butter for a different filling.
- Granulated sugar: Swap with brown sugar for a deeper, caramel-like taste.
- Milk: Use almond milk, soy milk, or any other plant-based milk for a dairy-free option.
- Cocoa powder: Replace with unsweetened cocoa powder for a more intense chocolate flavor.
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator: If you have leftovers (though that’s rare with such a delicious treat!), you can cover the mug with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Reheat in the microwave for a few seconds before enjoying.
Freezer: It’s best to enjoy this cake fresh, but if you need to store it, wrap the mug tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to one month.
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the microwave.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Don’t Overcook: The key to a perfect molten center is to avoid overcooking the cake. Keep an eye on the microwave and stop as soon as the top is set.
- Use Good Quality Chocolate: For the best flavor, use high-quality cocoa powder and Nutella or other chocolate spread.
- Mix Gently: Stir the ingredients just until combined. Overmixing can make the cake tough.
- Add a Little Extra: If you love extra gooey centers, add an extra spoonful of Nutella to the middle before microwaving.
- Microwave’s Wattage Matters: Remember that microwave wattages vary. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly depending on your microwave.
- Serve with Ice Cream: For an extra indulgent treat, top your lava cake with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Microwave Lava Cake is a quick and easy dessert with soooo much flavor.
When you want a little cake, but don’t want to wait, make this molten chocolate mug cake!
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
Nutella Microwave Lava Cake in a Mug
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup self-raising flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil plus more for coating
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 3 tablespoons Nutella
- 1 small egg
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, cocoa, oil, milk, egg and 1 tablespoon Nutella. Mix all together until you have a smooth mixture.1/4 cup self-raising flour, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil plus more for coating, 3 tablespoons milk, 3 tablespoons Nutella, 1 small egg
- Grab a cup and coat with oil and a mixture of flour and cocoa (just a tiny bit). Shake the excess off.
- Pour the batter into the cup (aim to fill no more than 3/4 of the cup).
- Add 2 tablespoons of Nutella in the middle. You can add more if you want a richer “lava” in your cake (or use chocolate with a more runny texture when melted).
- Place into the microwave on high for 1 min 40 seconds. You may need to experiment with that as microwaves have different settings (mine is 850 watts). The secret is not to overcook the batter. The cake should rise with a fluffy texture and a glossy top.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Don’t Overcook: The key to a perfect molten center is to avoid overcooking the cake. Keep an eye on the microwave and stop as soon as the top is set.
- Use Good Quality Chocolate: For the best flavor, use high-quality cocoa powder and Nutella or other chocolate spread.
- Mix Gently: Stir the ingredients just until combined. Overmixing can make the cake tough.
- Add a Little Extra: If you love extra gooey centers, add an extra spoonful of Nutella to the middle before microwaving.
- Microwave’s Wattage Matters: Remember that microwave wattages vary. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly depending on your microwave.
- Serve with Ice Cream: For an extra indulgent treat, top your lava cake with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Nutrition
Love This Recipe?
Follow @ThisSillyGirlsKitchen on Instagram and @danadevolk on Pinterest for more!
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Softest and richest mug cake I’ve ever tried!! I definitely overfilled my cup the first time (good thing I had it on a plate in the microwave)! Other mug cake recipes I’ve tried in the past were so bland and dry but this one was absolutely delicious! I will definitely be making this all the time!
I’ve been making this recipe for the past 3 years and my entire family LOVES it!!! Thank you so much! I like to add a Lindt truffle in the middle with my Nutella, it really complements the recipe! Love to eat it with ice cream as well!
Nice ideas for baking and lam happy to find your site