Need a quick comfort food fix with basic ingredients? You’re going to love this brownie in a mug. With a little help from the microwave, this simple dessert comes together in 5 minutes.
So, this is far from the most elegant dessert I’ve shared on Savory Simple, but sometimes we just need to keep things extra simple. Maybe it’s because we don’t have all of the ingredients readily available for a more fancy dessert. Perhaps we do, but we lack the energy to make much of anything and we just want to enjoy a sweet treat.
To be honest, I haven’t felt like baking fancy desserts lately. So this brownie in a mug has been a lifesaver when I get a sweet craving.
If you’re in the mood to bake and want more traditional brownies, I highly recommend trying my classic homemade brownies recipe. They’re chewy and delicate (and one of my favorite desserts). However, if you just want a mug of fast, warm chocolate comfort food, this microwave brownie might be exactly what you’re looking for.
How to Make a Brownie in a Mug
It’s shocking how easily this mug brownie comes together. All you have to do is combine the dry ingredients in a mug (I use a fork):
Then stir in the wet ingredients:
Stir until the ingredients are very smooth and no lumps remain, then microwave the mug for around 1 minute and 40 seconds. You’ll get a dense, chocolate brownie with a slightly molten appearance in the center.
I highly recommend topping this with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if you happen to have some. That’s it! A single serving brownie in a mug in less than 5 minutes.
Recipe Notes and Substitutions
You can use any unsweetened cocoa powder, either natural or Dutch-processed. I use Valrhona cocoa powder, which is on the pricier side but you can really taste the difference.
I adapted this microwave brownie from Simply Recipes, and I made a couple of changes including upping the sugar just slightly. I’m wondering if there’s a chance that my cocoa powder was what made this necessary, but to me, the original version didn’t taste sweet enough on its own without the addition of ice cream or sweetened whipped cream. Just a teaspoon more of sugar and this really does stand work its own.
I’ve included espresso powder as an optional ingredient, but that’s only if you already have it. Espresso powder can enhance the flavor of chocolate so it’s a great addition to chocolate desserts (especially simple ones like this), but it’s 100% optional. Definitely don’t run out and purchase it for this recipe. I do recommend trying it if you like baking with chocolate in general, though.
More Chocolate Recipes
If you love this recipe, be sure to check out my Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding, Perfect Homemade Brownies, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake.
You can also see my full archive of chocolate dessert recipes here!
Brownie in a Mug
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup + 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (I used Dutch-processed)
- Pinch of kosher salt
- Optional: pinch of espresso powder
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 Tbsp grapeseed oil, vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1/8 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Optional, but recommended: a dollop of whipped cream or small scoop of ice cream
Instructions
- In a standard-size mug, use a fork to combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and if using, the espresso powder. Add the water, oil, and vanilla, stirring until very smooth.
- Place the mug in the microwave and heat on high for 1 minute 40 seconds (or slightly less time if you want more of molten center). You may have to experiment with the time slightly based on your microwave.
- If using, top with whipped cream or ice cream. Enjoy immediately.
Video
Notes
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
For immediate help troubleshooting a recipe, please email me using the form on my contact page. I’ll try to respond to urgent questions as quickly as possible! For all general questions, please leave a comment here :)
Um, yes please! This is the kind of quarantine baking project I can get behind.
This is SO good! And it couldn’t be easier so I’ll definitely add it to my emergency chocolate-craving list :-) I had to skip the vanilla extract as I don’t have any, and I used a little less than 1/4 cup sugar because I don’t like overly sweet desserts, and it was just perfect. I’ll try microwaving it a little less though, it was way past molten at 1.35 minutes.
1/4 cup + 1 tsp of sugar seems excessive for one serving. Most brownie recipes use 1 cup of sugar for an 8″ pan of brownies (16 pieces). Is that amount correct?
Yes, I discuss this in the post ;)
I really enjoyed this brownie in a mug! Thank you for the recipe.
Perfect dessert to make while staying at home!
What about if you don’t have a microwave – how to adapt to a real oven? Thanks
You can’t adapt this recipe to the oven, but you can make my regular brownies which are awesome :)
https://www.savorysimple.net/homemade-brownies-recipe/