This Peanut Butter Mug Cake is moist, indulgent, and only takes 5 minutes to throw together. Even better, this easy mug cake is a kid-friendly recipe!
Peanut Butter Cake in a Cup
Peanut Butter Mug Cake! Now that I have your attention, I have a delightful little recipe for you, for those days when you really want a cosy dessert but you forgot to prepare anything.
Who doesn’t love a cute mug dessert — aka a delicious miniature cake for one made in just minutes, perfectly portioned so that all you need to do is find a spoon and a comfy space on the couch?
I used to think my One-Bowl Chocolate Cake was easy, but then I created this microwave cake recipe and now I’m hooked. Made from scratch, fluffy, and flavorful, I bet you have all the ingredients you need for this recipe on hand right now.
Plus, peanut butter and chocolate chips — like in these Peanut Butter Muffins or this gorgeous Peanut Butter Cheesecake Dip — are just the best of friends. Is there a more perfect couple?
What’s in This Peanut Butter Mug Cake?
Now, microwave mug cakes are only small and we’re trusting the microwave to cook it perfectly, so it’s important to get the right balance of ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy mug cake:
- Peanut butter and chocolate are of course the main flavour components here.
- Vegetable oil helps to keep the mug cake moist – no dry mug cakes here.
- Egg white gives the cake structure and helps it to be light and fluffy.
- This mug cake recipe uses brown sugar for enhanced flavor and also moisture.
- Finally, cake regulars, flour and baking powder do the job of structure and lift.
Can I Make a Mug Cake Without an Egg?
Yes, you can make this eggless and use milk instead, but the texture is much better using the egg white.
How to Make a Mug Cake
Mug desserts are as easy as it gets. Here are the basic steps to making this microwave cake in a cup:
- Start by combining the wet ingredients and sugar in a large mug. Give it a good whisk with a fork.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined
- Cook on high for 70 seconds, then devour at will.
How Much Does This Recipe Make?
There’s no getting around it, this peanut butter mug cake is a decadent treat and the recipe fills a regular mug – about 1 cup worth of cooked cake. Perfect as a decadent dessert, but if you want smaller ones, you can certainly divide the batter between two ramekins.
And while this batter is made directly in the cup (read: only 1 cup, 1 fork, and 1 spoon to wash up), you could make a bigger batch in a bowl and then pour it into the cups – great idea if you have more than a couple to make.
An even better option would be, if you have kiddies, to get them involved making their own little dessert. Mug cake is a brilliant kid-friendly recipe, being safe for even the real littles to make and teaching them about combining ingredients all at the same time.
Mug Cake Variations to Try
Want to shake things up a bit? Here are some ways you can customize this peanut butter mug cake recipe and make it your own:
- Chocolate chips – swap the milk chips for semi-sweet or even white. Both go well with peanut butter.
- Gooey centre – if you really want to dial it up a notch, push a lindt ball into the top before it cooks for a molten, gooey chocolate centre.
- A little drizzle – I like to drizzle chocolate over the top of mine but you can drizzle peanut butter if you prefer. Or why not add a dollop of ice cream or jelly once it’s cooked.
- Peanut butter swap – you can swap the peanut butter in this mug cake for Nutella, cookie butter, or any other nut butter too.
Tips for Making a Microwave Mug Cake
- Microwaves vary, so the cooking time may vary too. Test it after a minute then add 10 second increments until you have your perfect timing worked out. It’s ready when you touch the top lightly and it doesn’t create a deep dent.
- If you are cooking more than one mug cake at a time, they will take longer to cook
- If you split the batter for one into two ramekins, they will cook much quicker.
I think that’s everything you need to know to go and make a delicious little Peanut Butter Mug Cake right now. What are you waiting for?
More No-Bake Dessert Recipes:
- No-Bake Mini Peanut Butter Cheesecakes
- No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake
- Rice Krispies Treat in a Mug
- Hot Cocoa Brownie in a Mug
- 6-Minute Microwave Caramels
- Peanut Butter Cheesecake Dip
- S’mores Bars
- No-Bake Oreo Pie
- S’mores Energy Bites
Peanut Butter Mug Cake
Description
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 1/2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 egg white , (from a large egg)*
- 2 1/2 Tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 Teaspoon baking powder
- 1 Tablespoon chocolate chips
Instructions
- Combine the oil, sugar, and egg white in a mug and whisk well with a fork until fully combined.
- Add the peanut butter and mix well again.
- Add the flour, baking powder, and chocolate chips and mix until just combined.
- Cook in the microwave on high for 1 minute & 10 seconds (see notes below).
Notes
- Egg white: you can swap the egg white for 2 tablespoons of any milk but egg white definitely gives the best texture.
- Cooking time: This will vary depending on the wattage of your microwave so test at 1 minute first, then increase in 10 second increments until you've found your perfect cook time.
- More than one: The cooking time will also vary if you cook more than one mug cake at a time.
- Smaller Cakes: Batter can be divided into ramekins for smaller cakes but these will take less time to cook.
Jason Oman
Explanation was poor, or recipe was bad, not sure, always follow things to a T and this tasted like a peanut butter brick
Sweet Basil
It sounds like something was definitely wasn’t measured correctly. I’ve read through the instructions and they seem clear to me. If there is a way we can improve them, please let me know!
Andreina
this seriously looks like heaven in a cup!
Andreina
oh my god that looks so good, iv’e been looking for a good “kid friendly” microwave dessert and now i don’t have to
Sweet Basil
Yay! Enjoy! We have a rice krispie treat in a mug and a brownie in a mug recipe on the blog too!
Sarah Taylor
I absolutely love everything about this peanut butter mug cake. Perfect taste, perfect texture! I can’t even count how many times I’ve made this and each and every time,it has came out with no problems whatsoever. I’m not sure what other people are doing for Thiers not to come out right,got to be user error! I don’t even need to put any frosting on it or anything. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Sweet Basil
Bless your soul Sarah!! Thank you so much for the feedback!
Niki
The texture was REALLY good but it was dry and the taste wasn’t good.
Cat
Oh my gosh, so good! I added a bit more peanut butter (I used honey roasted) and used soy milk instead of egg white and it came out decadent. I didn’t have any chocolate chips handy so I put some jelly on it instead it make it a peanut butter and jelly cake. Such a great, easy treat.
Sweet Basil
Jelly…that is so smart! I’m so glad you enjoyed this, and thank you for taking a minute to leave a comment!
Laura
Loved it thank you so much! I added some chocolate melts and then topped with sprinkles after cooking just because I could. 💞
Sweet Basil
You are my kind of girl!! So glad you enjoyed it!
Kendice
After reading some of the other reviews, I ultimately decided that it’d probably be best to add more peanut butter so it wasn’t so bland. So I added another tablespoon of peanut butter, half a tablespoon of brown sugar, and half a teaspoon of cinnamon. I also didn’t use chocolate chips, and instead put whipped cream on top and drizzled some dark chocolate syrup over it. It was sososo good.
Sweet Basil
Sounds amazing! Thank you so much for the feedback!!
Kristine
Fantastic! Thanks so much for the recipe. I also made one with swapping the peanut butter for nutella and it was delicious and worked out perfectly.
Sweet Basil
Yummmmm! I know what I’ll be trying tonight! Thank you for the feedback!
Jess
This recipe did not turn out. I followed the recipe exactly. Did not come out with a cake consistency. It also did not have any taste. Couldn’t tell they had peanut butter and brown sugar in there. Definitely do not waste your time and ingredients on this one!
Sweet Basil
Interesting! We’ve never had any of those problems before. I’m sorry it didn’t work for you. Did you use regular peanut butter? If you use natural or low fat or anything, it will cause problems.
Anonymous
It made me sick and tasted bland.
Sweet Basil
Sorry you didn’t enjoy it!
Ava S
I used white sugar instead of brown and it was still delicious!
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much Ava! That is great to know!
NotForYou
The texture is fine, but the taste is just off. It has the very distinct taste of vomit. I ate one bite and threw the rest out.
Sweet Basil
Yikes! That definitely doesn’t sound appetizing at all. We’ve made this several times and haven’t ever had a problem with it tasting like anything but delicious peanut butter.
Penelope
This is the best mug recipe I’ve tried. The flavor and consistency is spot on!
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much!! I literally want to make myself one every night!
Sheri
This was insanely good!I loved it I also didn’t change a thing about this recipe would totally make it again!
Sheri
What is 21/2 tbs how do I measure it?
Sheri
Nevermind mind I figured it out.Thank you so much for this delicious recipe I didn’t change a thing about it definitely deserves 5 stars!
Sweet Basil
Hey Sheri! I just responded in case other readers have the same question in the future! So glad you loved it!
Sweet Basil
That is 2 and 1/2 tablespoons.
Kristy
Perfect!! Made it twice now, they loved it both times. Stirring and mixing are really key in any cake recipe, make it exactly how it’s written and it will come out amazing every time.
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much for the review Kristy!
Darrell Newell
Great recipe!
I was skeptical however it is cooked through and so light a fluffy with the egg white.
Sweet Basil
Thank you! Yes, it is cooked through just fine.
Sarah Taylor
This peanut butter mug cake is soo amazing! It is literally THE BEST mug cake i have EVER tasted and mind you,i have tested out quite a few. I definitely give it five stars. I whisked the egg quite a bit before putting in the rest of the wet ingredients. I think that helped with the fluffy texture. Thank you soo much for sharing this mug cake recipe.
Sweet Basil
Nice! I love having professional opinions!!! 😉
Unknown
Mine turned out soggy
Marie
Hi there, this is likely due to your microwave being a different wattage to mine. Just cook it for slightly longer – 10 seconds at a time until it’s right.
Erika Wear
It was really yummy, but a bit dry. Besides that it was good!
Sweet Basil
Thank you for the feedback!
Wheniss.com
It looks really great. I want to do this. Thanks.
Sweet Basil
Do it!! You’ll love it!
Sarah Taylor
This is the first mug cake that i have ever came across that tastes absolutely amazing! I’m a homemaker and bake quite often. I’m always looking for new recipes. I give this peanut butter mug cake a 5 out of five. Truly delicious! I can’t get over how fluffy it is. Absolute mug cake perfection. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Sweet Basil
I’m so glad you love it!!
Francine Palumbo
LOVE>>>LOVE>>>LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SOOOOOOOOOOOOO EASY
One question..can I make a chocolate cake or brownies with a middle layer of cho. mousse.
My daughter loves this kind of cake or brownie.. I would love to surprise her!!!
Thanks so much for being an absolutely unbelieveable cook!!
Sweet Basil
Here is our recipe for brownie in a mug: https://ohsweetbasil.com/hot-cocoa-mug-brownie-for-one-recipe/
I’m not sure about doing a mousse in the middle using only the microwave. Maybe you could put a layer of mousse on the top. Thank you so much for the feedback!