3-Minute Brownie in a Mug

4.71 from 51 votes

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If you have never made a mug brownie before, then today is your lucky day! Here lies a brownie in a mug recipe that is cooked in the microwave, ready to eat in 3 minutes flat. Perfect for when you’re craving Brownies, like right now.

Mug Brownie on a white plate with whipped cream on top. A couple of forkfuls have been eaten from the brownie.

Brownie in a Mug | Easy + Quick

This Brownie in a Mug recipe is SO GOOD. I’m telling you right now the texture is not like a regular chewy brownie….but it’s not a mushy, rubbery cake texture either (the kind you usually get with recipes like this). Instead, it lies somewhere else in a place I like to call dream town.

I’ve got a feeling that you all will be making this mug brownie this weekend…and it’s all thanks to my friend Claudia. That girl knows what’s up. I have no idea where she got this recipe, but it is PRIME. I was way skeptical at first, but then I tried it and just about died because:

  1. no cake made in the microwave is typically worth my time/the calories
  2. this recipe has no eggs….whaaaaa?
  3. it was super chocolatey and delicious, probably thanks to the copious amounts of whipped cream up on top.

Um, swoon.

Main Ingredients Needed

You’re only 9 simple ingredients away from this delicious single-serving treat. Like many of the people who have tried this brownie in a mug recipe (see the comments) feel free to experiment to make this recipe even more perfect for you! Here’s what you’ll need to make this perfect mug brownie:

  • Flour – this is all the structure we need for this brownie, especially if you keep it in the mug. No eggs here!
  • Brown Sugar – to sweeten. You could also use regular sugar here as well.
  • Cocoa Powder – unsweetened cocoa powder to be exact. To make it chocolatey.
  • Milk – for moisture.
  • Vegetable Oil – you can also melt the same measurement of butter and use that instead. Do not use olive oil, the taste is too pungent for this sweet treat.
  • Salt – to balance out flavors.
  • Vanilla – a good complement to the chocolate.
  • Coffee Extract – optional but it brings out the chocolate flavor even more.
  • Whipped Cream – use storebought or make your own homemade whipped cream for this recipe. Or even top with vanilla ice cream.

Looking for a brownie recipe that will feed a crowd? I’ve got you covered: Hot Fudge Brownie, Rocky Road Brownies, Cookie Dough Brownies and Butterfinger Brownies.

Mug Brownie on a white plate with whipped cream on top. A forkful of brownie is also on the plate.

Microwave Brownie Pro Tips

To ensure a perfect brownie in a mug every time, I’ve compiled these tips and tricks, just for you!

  • Don’t Overmix. The more you mix, the more gluten will form, the more it will taste like rubber.
  • Don’t Overbake. Again with the rubber thing…..not good when we’re talking about brownies.
  • Adjust Microwave Times. You’re probably going to have to do a little trial and error with your microwave, but I’m sure tummies across this great globe will happily oblige.
  • Toppings. Ice cream and/or whipped cream is best placed on top of such a mug brownie.
  • No Mug Brownie. If you want to not eat your brownie out of the mug and make it look prettier a la Lauren’s Latest, combine the batter together in a small bowl and pour into a greased mug. After it’s baked, loosen up the edges and plop it onto a plate. Add appropriate accouterments as necessary.

How to Make a Brownie in a Mug

For full details on how to make a Brownie in a Mug, check out the recipe card down below (with a super helpful video)!

Make Batter

In a small bowl stir flour, sugar, salt, and cocoa powder together so everything is evenly dispersed. Add in wet ingredients and stir to create a batter.

Microwave!

Spray mug with nonstick cooking spray and pour the batter in. Microwave 1-1 1/2 minutes until cake is just baked. Turn out of mug onto a plate and top with whipped cream.

And there you have it! Fabulous, 1-person chocolate treat ready in 3 minutes. Hot diggity dog.

Mug Brownie on a white plate with whipped cream on top. A couple of forkfuls have been eaten from the brownie.

Even More Brownie Recipes to Try!

The printable recipe card is below along with a super helpful video. Thanks for the microwave brownie recipe, Claud!

Mug Brownie
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4.71 from 51 votes

3-Minute Brownie in a Mug Recipe

If you have never made a mug brownie before, then today is your lucky day! Here lies a brownie in a mug recipe that is cooked in the microwave, ready to eat in 3 minutes flat. YUM!
servings 1 serving
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 3 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a small bowl stir flour, sugar, and cocoa powder together so everything is evenly dispersed. Add in wet ingredients and stir to create a batter. 
  • Spray mug with nonstick cooking spray and pour the batter in. Microwave 1-1 1/2 minutes until cake if just baked. Turn out of mug onto a plate and top with whipped cream.

Video

Notes

If the calorie count is scaring you, simply halve everything!

Nutrition

Calories: 605kcal | Carbohydrates: 85g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 31mg | Potassium: 265mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 55g | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 3.2mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Brownie in a Cup, Brownie in a Mug, Mug Brownie, Single Serving Brownie

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Recipe Rating




84 Responses
  1. MARYANN MAYKOWSKI

    5 stars
    This was delicious!!! I have made mug brownies before and none have tasted this great. BRAVO! I am only sorry because I am going to want this every night… I did however only need to microwave it 40 seconds.

  2. Yadira

    5 stars
    Just made it absolutely amazing!! A keeper !!! Did exactly as the recipe no coffee extract so I did a splash of actual coffee!!

  3. Katie Semrad

    5 stars
    I tried this one night when I had a bad hankering for chocolate. IT WAS AWESOME. I did have to substitute a few ingredients, like the coffee extract. I also put in coconut oil in instead of vegetable oil and it gave it a REALLY rich taste. I loved it and will try it again!

  4. kiara

    could i use 2 tbs of melted butter instead of vegetable oil? i’ve made this in the past with oil and i’ts turned out perfectly, will it do the same with butter?

  5. Lemon Cream Puffs | Lauren's Latest

    […] friend Claudia gave me the idea for this recipe (as in the Claudia who gave me this microwave mug brownie recipe) and that girl has never steered me wrong. So, a few weeks ago before I packed up my kitchen, I […]

  6. Sammie

    5 stars
    I have this recipe bookmarked because while I don’t make them often, if I do find myself in need of a mug brownie at 11:30pm on a Tuesday, THIS is the recipe I need. I’ve even sent it to friends and converted them to mug-baked-goods deliciousness. Thank you!!

  7. National Brownie Day | National Eats 365

    […] 3 Minute Mug Brownie (from Lauren’s Latest) 1/4 cup all purpose flour 1/4 cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 2 tablespoons milk 2 tablespoons vegetable oil pinch of salt splash of vanilla […]

  8. heidi ellsworth

    5 stars
    Good grief!! Hallelujah! Finally a mug o’ brownie that doesn’t taste like junk! Thank you to both of you for sharing! Gooey brownie’s are my major guilty pleasure and now I don’t have to avoid making them… knowing I’ll eat the entire pan. You girls rock!

  9. Giulia

    5 stars
    I just made it and it came out amazing! Perfect texture. Thank you for this amazing recipe. It will be my standard one for now on

  10. Suzy

    5 stars
    This is a wonderful mug brownie! I tried several from different blogs but they never turned out good. But this is amazing! On the first try I got and amazing, moist brownie. Thanks!

  11. Carrie

    5 stars
    This recipe is DEEE-licious! Best brownie-in-a-mug I’ve had. I made a substitution which made it taste super-rich: 1 Tbsp butter and 1 Tbsp coconut oil instead of the veg. oil (might help those of you who complained about oily-tasting brownies!).
    For anyone who gets a soupy mess…try leaving that microwave door shut and waiting a few minutes after it’s done…the brownie will continue cooking just a little more. Totally worth the wait!

  12. Disappointed

    I’m sorry to say it but this is the worst mug brownie I’ve ever tried (and I usually make one at least once a week). I prepared it exactly as stated and microwaved for the recommended amount of time and when I took it out it was still liquid. Like a sludge chocolate soup. So I put it in for another 30 seconds. Still sludge soup. So I put it in for ANOTHER 30 seconds. Still sludge soup, only now it was sludge soup with a slightly burnt smell. Put it on for another full minute just to see if it would EVER firm up at this point. It didnt. It turned into a thick yet still runny goo the consistency of mud, it still flowed like a liquid, though. I had to literally POUR it down the garbage disposal. I don’t see how I did anything wrong. I mixed it up with accurate measurements and I’ve never had a problem with past mug brownies. I’ve been trying different ones from various websites in an attempt to find the *perfect* one. I have no clue what I could have done wrong but this one was just no good.

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  14. Glenna

    Not certain what happened. There was not enough liquid to mix the batter. Attempted to add a little more. Ended up chucking it and going with another recipe.

  15. Emily

    5 stars
    This was so great! I baked for one minute, and it was perfectly gooey. Very chocolate-y and delicious! I used espresso powder because I didn’t have coffee extract, but still good 🙂 Will definitely be making again!

  16. Bird

    5 stars
    This is the only cake/brownie in a mug recipe I have found that actually had a good taste and texture. I use a little bit of almond extract instead of the coffee for mine.

  17. Sammie

    5 stars
    This. Was. To DIE FOR. So delicious! I’ve been really into mug cakes and cookies lately and this is the second recipe I’ve tried. 2 for 2! Oh my gosh. After a rough two weeks and the first chilly day of October, this recipe was perfect! Followed it to a T, but subbed in almond milk cause it’s what I had. Then I threw some ice cream on top…Thank you!!

    1. Kathy

      Yeah, Sammie! I used to fix this and had no whipping cream, but I did have ice cream, usually vanilla, that I used in it’s place. It was wonderful. Almond milk in it sounds wonderful, too. I’ll try it.

  18. Chrixy

    5 stars
    I halved the recipe and used soymilk instead, and when i mixed everything together it appeared as if the mixture seized! With my prior knowledge of baking, I hurried and added a splash more soymilk and it came back together into a thick batter! I microwaved first for 35 seconds, and then 15 seconds more,and it came out great! Thanks for the recipe and I hope I help some of you chocolate lovers out there!

  19. Emma

    5 stars
    I used three tablespoons of Droste Cocoa powder, coconut oil instead of vegetable, and extra vanilla (and a hint of almond) extract instead of coffee extract. I too misunderstood the instructions and made the mistake of mixing the batter in the mug and microwaving it. I nuked it for two minutes, and despite all the substitutions and errors, it turned out having the texture of a moist cake and the taste of a delicious fudgy brownie. I burned my tongue because I was so excited to eat it! The coconut oil is an absolute must! Thank you for ailing a college freshman’s midnight cravings!

  20. Sarah

    5 stars
    Amazing! ! I am making this again N again! I skipped the coffee extract part. Still it turned out just perfect. The bottom part was a bit more cooked than the top part but worth making again 🙂

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  22. MK

    5 stars
    Saw this recipe, literally got up off of my couch and made it on the spot. Subbed butter for vegetable oil since we didn’t have any. Really good – my microwave was about 1:15, checked it every 5 seconds after the minute mark. Definitely recommend making in a bowl and putting into a mug with straight up and down sides, none of that sloped mug stuff. Cooks differently! Not that I’m complaining. Turned it out and the part that was in the bottom was cooked more than the top.

    Loved that it didn’t need eggs, everytime I try to make one of these it ends up being chocolate cake with scrambled egg dispersed through it…

    I used a dash of instant espresso instead of coffee extract, although it’s probably about the same thing.

    So yummy, definitely making again!

  23. Kat

    Karen–I input everything on myfitnesspal and the calorie count is 603 with 30 grams of fat D: Kinda scary, but it sounds so good!

    1. Lauren

      Peanut butter swirled in, salted caramel drizzled on, chocolate sauce + ice cream on top. Those are the three I alternate through! Lol!!

  24. Vedika @ Hot Chocolate Hits

    5 stars
    Hi Lauren! These gorgeous photographs tempted me. I caved and made this mug cake. I 1/2d the recipe which perfectly suited one ramekin. I also inserted 2 squares of milk chocolate in the center and didn’t have coffee extract so I used instant coffee granules. It was phenomenal. I think I had to adjust the cook time since I reduced the portions so it was a little bit overdone but that gooey chocolate inside compensated wonderfully. Thank you for sharing!

  25. Blair

    Making this right now. One comment on the following instructions: In a small bowl {or mug} stir flour, sugar and cocoa powder together so everything is evenly dispersed. Add in wet ingredients and stir to create batter. Spray mug with nonstick cooking spray and pour batter in.

    It’s kinda hard to spray a mug with cooking spray if it is already full of ingredients. and it’s kinda hard to pour batter into the mug that is currently already holding said batter. Just sayin…

    Still figured it out and it’s awesome! Gonna chalk the funny instructions up to being a momma with two littles runnin’ round! They make your brain leak out your ears, I know. I’ve got 6. Love your blog and have a very happy husband due in part to your recipes! Thanks!

      1. Yummycooking

        After finishing the recipe, I realized you were supposed to use a different mug, but that wasn’t really clear at first.

        Made the brownies and they tasted completely like oil. 🙁 I couldn’t eat them at all. I usually like Lauren’s recipes, but I would NOT recommend this at all.

        haha 3 min. recipe takes me an hour (that was just me, I’m super slow)

  26. Dena

    can I use anything in place of coffee extract as I don’t have that…….and don’t feel like buying it just for this. please don’t say to use coffee as I dont’ have that either 🙂 acky stuff.

    1. Lara

      How about using a pinch of instant coffee? I don’t have coffee extract either but assume this sub will work just fine. (would’ve made this already if only I was reading this on my lunch break)

  27. Karen @ On the Banks of Salt Creek

    It just so happens that I’m going into town today for groceries…….This dessert will be happening tonight.
    A good Netflix movie and brownie in a mug. What could be better?

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