How to Make Chocolate Cake in the Microwave

Baking isn’t just for the oven anymore. Learning how to make a chocolate cake in the microwave is an easy way to satisfy late-night snack cravings. Gooey chocolate mug cake is one of life’s little pleasures. Find out how to make a chocolate cake in the microwave for a perfectly moist sponge, a tender crumb, and an oozy center. 

Can Cake Be Made in the Microwave?

Making cakes in the microwave is not only possible, but also easier than you think. While you can make microwave mug cake with cake mix from the store, it is easy to whip up a quick treat using ingredients you already have in your pantry. 

Many microwavable recipes are for chocolate mug cake with egg. However, the addition of egg tends to give the cake a rubbery texture. 

What is the Temperature for Baking Cake in the Microwave?

Many modern microwaves have a baking setting specifically for cakes and use convection heat for cooking the cake. This method takes longer, and you need to have the right temperature setting to avoid an overcooked, dry outside and an undercooked, soggy interior. The recommended setting for most convection microwave ovens is 350°F.

For a standard microwave oven, the temperature is less important than the power level and cooking time. You can find the exact wattage of your microwave using the boiling water test. You can also adjust the wattage of your microwave to suit the level stated in the cake recipe by either adjusting the power level up or down or increasing the cooking time. 

Tips and Tricks for Making a Chocolate Cake in the Microwave

Microwave baking is a fast and easy alternative to baking delicious treats in the oven. There are a few essential tips to keep in mind to ensure your cakes turn out perfect every time. 

• Use room temperature ingredients. Eggs and butter should always be at room temperature to ensure even baking. You can bring your eggs to room temperature from the fridge by putting them in a bowl of warm water for 10 minutes. 
• Bake in bursts. Things can go from delicious to disaster in a matter of seconds with microwave baking. To keep things under control, bake your cakes in short bursts of 45 seconds to 1.5 minutes.
• Use the right pan. Never put a metal pan in the microwave or you may end up with a small explosion in your kitchen. Silicone, BPA-free plastic, and some ceramic and glass pans are all suitable for the microwave. Remember not to overfill your pans unless you don’t mind cleaning up a huge sticky mess. 
• Cook times vary depending on the power of your microwave. The higher the wattage of your microwave, the less time your cake needs to cook. If you want a cake that is closer to a microwave chocolate brownie, you’ll need to microwave the cake for slightly less time than suggested and allow it to sit for a few minutes after cooking. This allows the sponge on the outside to soak up the moisture from the center. 

Awesome Microwave Chocolate Cake Recipes

There is a huge variety of chocolate cakes you can bake in your oven from a quick mug cake to a decadent layer chocolate cake with swirls of frosting. We’ve collected some of the best recipes for you to try. 

1-Minute Nutella Mug Cake

This super-speedy chocolate mini cake is perfect for when you need a quick pick-me-up or a late-night dessert. It has an extra fudgy brownie mud cake texture thanks to the addition of big pockets of Nutella dotted throughout the sponge. 

Ingredients

• ¼ cup of all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup of Nutella + 1 tablespoon extra
• 3 tablespoons of milk
• ¼ teaspoon of baking powder
• Salt

Method

1. In an oversized mug, combine the flour, Nutella, milk, baking powder, and salt. Stir until just mixed through. 
2. Add an extra teaspoon of Nutella on top and push down slightly into the mix. 
3. Microwave on high for 45 seconds. Then, microwave in additional 15-second bursts, until it reaches your desired level of doneness. 
4. Let it cool before eating to avoid burning your mouth.

Chocolate Layer Cake

If you want a fast yet luxurious chocolate cake recipe to impress your friends, this is a great recipe. Layer the moist sponge with store-bought chocolate frosting and decorate the top with crumbled chocolate bar pieces for the ultimate chocoholics dream. 

Ingredients

• ½ cup Dutch cocoa powder
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1½ sticks of butter
• 1 cup of superfine caster sugar
• 3 large eggs, well-beaten
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup melted milk chocolate 

Method

1. Grease and line 3×6-inch silicone cake molds. 
2. Cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy.
3. Add the eggs and beat on high speed to avoid separating. 
4. Add the vanilla, yogurt, and cooled melted chocolate.
5. Place a sieve over the bowl and sift the remaining dry ingredients into the bowl and stir through by hand until just combined. 
6. Divide the batter between the 3 cake molds. 
7. Microwave each cake mold individually for 2 minutes until it pulls away from the mold’s sides and is firm to the touch in the center.
8. Cool completely in the pan, then turn out onto a cooling rack.
9. Frost and decorate with chunky pieces of chocolate candy or pretzels. 

Salted Caramel Lava Cake

Is there any better snack combination than salty and sweet? This salted caramel mug cake is dangerously easy and quick to whip up as an indulgent dessert. If you love peanut butter you can also transform this cake into a chocolate peanut butter mug cake by switching the caramel sauce for smooth peanut butter. This recipe makes 2 servings so you can share it with a friend. 

Ingredients

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon granulated white sugar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• Generous pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce or Dulce de Leche
• ¼ cup of milk
• 2 tablespoons of melted butter or vegetable oil

Method

1. Heat the butter and the milk in the microwave until just warm and set aside.
2. In a bowl, mix all the dry ingredients.
3. Add the milk, butter, and caramel sauce. Stir to combine.
4. Gently fold through the chocolate chips
5. Divide the mixture between two oversized mugs or ramekins.
6. Microwave on high for 1 minute and allow to cool.
7. Drizzle with more caramel sauce and sprinkle with flaked salt. 

Enjoy Unique Chocolate Cake Creations with MunchPak

Chocolate cakes can be customized to suit your taste. Why not stir through some interesting add-ins or decorate the top of your cake using treats from your MunchPak subscription box to create a microwave chocolate cake recipe of your own?

Each month our MunchPak subscription boxes are jam-packed with sweet and savory goodies from across the globe. Satisfy a big hunger craving with any of our sumptuous microwave chocolate cake recipes and a selection of international snacks.

Click below to learn more!