When I think about a delicious slice of chocolate cake, really the only thing that could make it better is if I could have it whenever I wanted it. Are you with me? I mean, an incredibly decadent gluten free chocolate cake in 5 minutes, start to finish? I’m listening!
This 5 minute gluten free chocolate mug cake honestly takes only FIVE total minutes to mix and to bake in the microwave*, so when those chocolate urges hit, you can satisfy the cravings right away!
This cake is perfect for one or two, and for dessert emergencies when guests just happen by. Valentine’s Day, romantic dinners, or just a decadent treat when the need for chocolate arises … which it invariably does … sometimes.
{And speaking of Valentine’s Day, if you’re looking for even more yummy chocolate, heart-shaped or decadent gluten free Valentine’s Day recipes, hop to my 35 recipe Gluten Free Valentine’s Day Recipe Round-up!)
This 5 Minute gluten free chocolate mug cake will become a favorite, so print this recipe or bookmark the page — I promise you’ll want to turn to it again and again! It works well with egg substitutes as well, so vegan and dairy-free is no problem. And for fun, you can use cookie cutters to make bite-sized treats, too!
Since publishing this chocolate version, I’ve had some requests for a 5 minute gluten free lemon mug cake as well. I’ve supplied the alternative ingredients in the recipe below, and here’s a look at how beautiful this tart lemony cake can be … in only 5 minutes! Or simply hop to my gluten-free Vanilla Mug Cake recipe for yet another yummy option!
Remember, all these goodies start with my gfJules™ Flour – it’s light, airy and never gritty, so your mug cakes, pies, cookies, breads, gravies … all taste like they should! It makes any recipe deliciously possible, gluten free. Don’t try that with a cheap rice or bean flour blend — you’ll be sorry you wasted even five minutes of your time!
What are you waiting for? Got 5 minutes and you’ve got gluten free cake!
*A few notes about microwaves: they are all different! If you know your microwave is super powerful, start at 2 or maybe 3 minutes, so you don’t over-cook your little mug cake. If yours is on the under-powered side, you may need an extra minute or two.
And if you don’t have a microwave, another reader shared that a microwave set on high is equivalent to a 375 F conventional oven setting; microwave cooking time is 1/4 that of a conventional oven, so a microwave set on high for 5 minutes would be approximately the same as a conventional oven set at 375 F with a cook time of 20 minutes.
If you make this Gluten Free Mug Cake in your oven, please share your results in the comments below! And if you try this recipe in your microwave OR oven, please give it a 5-star rating and leave your comments!! It really helps other gluten free folks find great recipes, too!
5 Minute Gluten Free Chocolate Mug Cake
5 Minute Gluten Free Chocolate Mug Cake
If you've got 5 minutes, you've got gluten free cake! This 5 minute gluten free chocolate mug cake (or my 5 minute gluten free lemon mug cake modification) make sweet cravings satisfiable!
Ingredients
- 1 egg or egg substitute (1 Tbs. flaxseed meal or chia steeped in 3 Tbs. warm water)
- 3 Tbs. vegetable oil (e.g. safflower, sunflower, coconut – melted, etc.)
- 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract – [omit for lemon cake]
- 3 Tbs. milk (dairy or nondairy) – [for lemon cake, use 2 Tbs. milk + 1 Tbs. lemon juice]
- 4 Tbs. (34 grams) gfJules™ Gluten Free All Purpose Flour] – [for lemon cake, use 5 Tbs. gfJules™ Flour (43 grams)
- 4 Tbs. granulated cane sugar
- 2 Tbs. unsweetened cocoa – for lemon cake, use 1 Tbs. milk powder, dairy or non-dairy (I use [Coconut Milk Powder])
- 3 Tbs. chocolate chips, dairy or nondairy (Enjoy Life Foods® or Pascha® Organic Allergen-Free Chocolate]) (optional) – [for lemon cake, add 1 Tbs. lemon zest instead
- 1 large microwave-safe mug
- whipped or ice cream, dairy or non-dairy (So Delicious® CocoWhip pictured) (optional)
Instructions
The cake may be made in the mug itself, or mixed in a bowl and added to the mug for baking.
Whisk the liquids together. Add the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly with a small whisk or fork. Add the chocolate chips or lemon zest and stir again.
Place the mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes. Microwaves differ in power, so you may need to add 1 minute more; watch for the cake to rise as an indication it is done. The cake will fall a bit as it cools –if you can wait that long!
Serves: 1-2
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Have not made, but question why this cake would rise. There is no baking soda or baking powder in the reecipe.
Hi Marina, much like a brownie recipe, this isn’t a fluffy chocolate cake, but more like a brownie. Many brownie recipes don’t include chemical leaveners and they still turn out fudgy and delicious! I hope you enjoy the recipe!
~jules
I made the chocolate mug cake up in a bowl, then divided it between two large coffee cups. I microwaved the 1st cup for 3 mins. That was way too long it was hard on the bottom (like a brick). The second cup I microwaved for 2.5 mins (still too long)!
I realized I should have only cooked 1.5 to 2 mins if only cooking half of the recipe, and used smaller mugs.
It was still pretty good, the part we could eat😂.
Hey, at least it only took 2-3 minutes to figure out that it had been too long!!! That’s the beauty of microwave recipes, I guess! It is hard with microwaves because they all seem to have different wattages so you have to watch them like a hawk and figure out what works for yours … then write it down for next time! Hard to believe you could bake a mug cake in less than 2.5 min, but I guess with half the recipe in YOUR microwave, that’s all it takes! And YAY! At least the top was tasty! LOL!
~jules
Very chewy in middle but raw on outside. Is this just my microwave? I do not know but it was not great. Lemon flavor was very nice though!
I can hear my hubby now saying “oohhh baby” when I set the chocolate mug cake in front of him! Yum!
LOL! The universal response, I’d think!
~jules
Tried this recipe last night & it was great! Had everything on-hand, was easy to make & cook. Wish there was a way not to cook in microwave, but that made it quick. Looking forward to trying lemon too.
Hi Kaarin, I’m sure this recipe could be made in an oven, but it would take much longer. I haven’t tried it yet, myself, but if you do, let me know how long it took to cook and at what temp. Glad you enjoyed it!
~jules
Since your comment, another reader has shared a tip for making this mug cake in an oven, so I added that note in the information above the recipe card!
I made mine today it was pretty good! Hits the spot when you have a craving for cake
Awesome, Julie! Glad it was just right for you!
~jules
I made this today for my son it was soooo good that I had to make one for myself, it is dangerous stuff if your trying hard to loss weight.?
Hahha – I know the feeling, Anu! At least it’s a “measured” portion! 😉
~jules
I need to make this when the next chocolate craving hits – which, to be honest, will probably be tomorrow!
Know one has to know when you can make a single serving like this. Dangerous, but very handy! LOL!
xoxox
~jules
I’m going to try this right now for a midnight snack lol!!! Is vegetable oil required or could I use butter?
Hi Ginger, I bet you could melt the butter and use it in place of the oil without a problem. Let me know if you try it before I do!
~jules
I can definitely see making this for my late night cravings!
It’s almost too easy, Elle. Almost. 🙂
~jules
I’m doing a happy dance right now because I have all of these ingredients including your flour! Microwave, here I come!
Best,
Chrystal
I love mug cake! It’s a great way to keep myself from eating an entire cake!
Mug cakes were my staple breakfast last year but I haven’t made one in months!