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    In the Kitch » Recipes » Dessert

    Updated: Sep 27, 2024 · Published: Dec 2, 2020 by Joss Dyckson · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Food Gift Recipe: Fudgy Chocolate Mug Cake

    Jump to Recipe
    Images of mug cake in red mug with text overlay that says 'chocolate mug cake food gift recipe'.
    Mug cake powder mix in a bag in a mug with Christmas decorations.

    For the perfect food gift for loved ones, try out this easy and sweet, fudgy chocolate mug cake. A dusting of powdered sugar over a warm cake in a festive mug evokes the cozy charm and magic of Christmas.

    Chocolate cake ingredients in a red mug with Christmas decorations on brown, wooden background.

    This craft can take 10 minutes or less to make. All you need to do is put the ingredients into two bags and put them in a mug. Christmas is all about giving from the heart. What can be more giving than a homemade gift in a cute package?

    This chocolate mug cake recipe works for other holidays too or simply prepare a quick treat for yourself as it takes under 2 minutes to bake in the microwave.

    I also make another food-gift recipe that is just as easy and perfect for Christmas: chocolate chip cookie mix in a jar. And these Cuban lunch candy bars are a popular food gift during the holiday season. You can check out more of my holiday recipes for Christmas here.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Materials
    • How to Make a Chocolate Mug Cake Food Gift
    • Joss' Tips
    • Chocolate Mug Cake Food Gift Storage
    • 🍫More Mouthwatering Chocolate Recipes
    • 📋Recipe

    Ingredients

    These are the dry ingredients needed to prepare the chocolate mug cake food gift:

    • flour - I use all-purpose flour.
    • sugar - You can choose regular white sugar or organic.
    • baking powder - Helps the cake rise, making it light and fluffy.
    • cocoa powder - The cocoa powder makes this cake fudgy, moist and delicious.
    • powdered sugar - This will be included in a separate bag as a topping.

    Chef's Note: If you are preparing the mug cake for yourself, you will also need canola oil and milk.

    *Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.

    Materials

    Pick these materials up online, or at a craft store, dollar store or department store.

    • a mug - You can go with a holiday themed mug or stick to a basic one.
    • small clear bag - To hold the icing sugar.
    • medium size clear bag - To hold the cake mix.
    • gift label - You can make your own or pick up some themed labels.
    • ribbons and other gift decorations - Optional.

    How to Make a Chocolate Mug Cake Food Gift

    Add Ingredients to Bags

    1. Mix all ‘Bag 1’ dry ingredients in a bowl.
    2. Place the mix in a clear bag and close with a bow.
    3. Place the powdered sugar in a small clear bag and close with a bow.

    Prepare the Mug

    Place both bags in a mug and add a note with the following steps to make the cake:


    "Pour BAG 1 (cake mix) into the mug.

    Add 3 tablespoons canola oil and 3 tablespoons milk. Mix really well with a fork, making sure no dry ingredients are left on the sides of the mug.

    Heat in the microwave for about 1 ½ minutes at full power (cook time will depend on your microwave).

    Let cool a few minutes, sprinkle with some powdered sugar (BAG 2) and enjoy!"


    Chocolate cake ingredients in a red mug with Christmas decorations.

    Joss' Tips

    Tips for Giving the Mug Cake Mix as a Food Gift

    • You can add more suggestions to the gift note, such as to top the cake with other toppings like chocolate chips, a drizzle of caramel, hot fudge, homemade chocolate gravy or any nut butter, or the classic whipped cream.
    • If you want to take it a step further, you can add some Christmas baking sprinkles to another small bag and add it to the mug.
    • This mug cake food gift also works for teacher gifts, birthdays and more. Just change the mug and decorations to match the theme of the occasion.

    Tips for Preparing the Mug Cake

    • Depending on how you like your cake, mug cakes can come out too dry or too moist, to the point that it sticks to the roof of your mouth. To combat this, you can have it with a glass of milk. Or if you want something warmer, have a hot chocolate. Nothing pairs better with chocolate than more chocolate. Am I right fellow chocolate lovers??
    • The recipe calls for powdered sugar on top of the mug cake, but powdered sugar is difficult to sprinkle and sticks to your fingers. I recommend using a small sieve when you top the cake. The powdered sugar will cover the cake evenly, it looks great, there are no clumps, and it looks like fallen snow, matching the holidays and the weather perfectly.
    • You can also add a dollop of one of the toppings in the middle of the cake batter, pour in the rest of the batter, and your cake will have a nice surprise in the middle.

    Egg or No Egg

    Chocolate mug cake prepared in a red mug with a white spoon.

    Adding an egg to the wet mix will make the cake taller in the mug and more spongy. I’ve tried it both ways, and I prefer the mug cake without an egg (even though the cake looks cooler all puffed up). It tastes much more moist and fudgy without the egg.

    Chocolate Mug Cake Food Gift Storage

    Because the ingredients are dry, you can store them in a cool, dry place. The food gift should stay fresh until you or your loved ones want to prepare the mug cake. Check the dry ingredient expiry dates to be sure.

    Chocolate cake ingredients packaged in a mug with Christmas decorations.

    🍫More Mouthwatering Chocolate Recipes

    • Hot chocolate spoons standing up with toppings.
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    • Chocolate covered coffee beans in white dish.
      How to Make Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans
    • Cheesecake cake pops in holder.
      Cheesecake Cake Pops
    • Red velvet cake pops in white dish on white wooden background.
      Red Velvet Cake Pops

    If you tried this Fudgy Chocolate Mug Cake Food Gift Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!

    📋Recipe

    Chocolate mug cake mix in a red mug with Christmas gift label.

    Food Gift Recipe: Fudgy Chocolate Mug Cake

    Joss Dyckson
    For the perfect food gift for loved ones, try out this easy and sweet, fudgy chocolate mug cake mix. A dusting of powdered sugar over a warm cake in a festive mug evokes the cozy charm and magic of Christmas.
    5 from 6 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
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    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1
    Calories 755 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    Bag 1

    • ¼ cup flour
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
    • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder

    Bag 2

    • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

    Instructions
     

    To Assemble Bag 1

    • Mix all ‘Bag 1’ dry ingredients in a bowl.
    • Place the mix in a clear bag and close with a bow.

    To Assemble Bag 2

    • Place the powdered sugar in a small clear bag and close with a bow.

    Mug Preparation

    • Place both bags in a mug and add a note with the following steps to make the cake:
      "Pour BAG 1 (cake mix) into the mug.
      Add 3 tablespoons canola oil and 3 tablespoons milk. Mix really well with a fork, making sure no dry ingredients are left on the sides of the mug.
      Heat in the microwave for about 1 ½ minutes at full power (cook time will depend on your microwave).
      Let cool a few minutes, sprinkle with some powdered sugar (BAG 2) and enjoy!"

    Equipment

    • Mug
    • Small clear bag
    • Medium clear bag
    • Gift label

    Notes

    • If you want to take it a step further, you can add some Christmas baking sprinkles to another small bag and add it to the mug.
    • Because the ingredients are dry, you can store them in a cool, dry place; it should stay fresh until you or your loved ones want to make it. Check the dry ingredient expiry dates to be sure.
    • This mug cake isn’t just for gifting—it’s perfect for enjoying at home, just like I do with my kids.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 755kcalCarbohydrates: 90gProtein: 7gFat: 45gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gMonounsaturated Fat: 27gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 25mgPotassium: 351mgFiber: 5gSugar: 60gVitamin A: 46IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 115mgIron: 3mg

    Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.

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    Comments

      5 from 6 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. donna woitaszewski says

      November 07, 2022 at 10:52 pm

      Are the amounts correct for the oil and milk in this recipe? Tested it today and could pour oil off the finished product, was very 'wet', unappetizing appearance, could tell the basic chocolate flavor was good.

      Reply
      • Joss D says

        November 08, 2022 at 9:41 am

        Hi Donna, the amounts are definitely correct. I've made it many times. It's possible you didn't mix it thoroughly into a batter and/or cook it all the way.

        Reply
    2. Leanne says

      December 02, 2020 at 7:58 pm

      Love this idea for a homemade gift this year! I just might pick up a few mugs and the cake ingredients to make a few for friends and family!

      Reply
      • Joss D says

        December 02, 2020 at 9:27 pm

        Thanks Leanne, I hope you do! It is a nice gift for friends and family. 🙂

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Joss!

    I am the creator and editor of In the Kitch. I am inviting you on this food journey with me to learn, grow and bring out that inner chef in you. I hope to inspire you to get creative in your own kitchen!

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