Quick Cherry Chocolate Lava Mug Cake
A fast and easy 2-minute microwave mug cake with a gooey chocolate center and tart cherries, perfect for a solo indulgent dessert.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour (30 grams)
- 3 tablespoons sugar (38 grams), granulated or fine
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (12 grams)
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder (1 gram)
- 3 tablespoons milk (45 ml), whole milk preferred
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (30 ml)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (1.25 ml)
- 3–4 frozen cherries, thawed slightly
- 1 tablespoon chocolate chips or chunks (15 grams), semi-sweet recommended
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients and have your microwave-safe mug ready. Slightly thaw frozen cherries while prepping (about 5 minutes on counter or 20 seconds in microwave).
- In the mug, combine the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Stir well to break up lumps (about 30 seconds).
- Add the wet ingredients: milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until smooth and no flour streaks remain (about 45 seconds). Batter should be thick but pourable.
- Drop chocolate chips into the center of the batter.
- Scatter thawed cherries evenly on top, pressing gently to partially submerge.
- Microwave on high for 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Start checking at 1:30; cake edges should be set and risen, center slightly gooey.
- Let the cake rest for 1 minute to firm up slightly while keeping the molten center.
- Enjoy warm straight from the mug, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
Use room temperature milk and oil for better batter consistency. Rotate mug halfway if microwave cooks unevenly. Avoid overcooking to keep molten center. For gluten-free, substitute almond flour but expect denser texture. Coconut oil can replace vegetable oil for a tropical note. Adjust sugar to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mug cake (single s
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 30
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 3.5
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 5
Keywords: cherry chocolate lava mug cake, quick dessert, microwave mug cake, easy chocolate cake, single serving dessert