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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!
Table of Contents
- Peanut Butter Cake in a Mug
- What’s in This Peanut Butter Mug Cake?
- Can I Make a Cake in a Mug Without an Egg?
- How to Make a Mug Cake
- How Much Does This Recipe Make?
- Mug Cake Substitutions/Variations to Try
- Are Mug Cakes Healthy?
- Tips for Making a Microwave Mug Cake
- More No-Bake Dessert Recipes:
- Peanut Butter Mug Cake Recipe
Peanut Butter Cake in a Mug
Peanut butter cake in a mug! Now that I have your attention, I have a delightful little recipe for you, for those days when you are craving a cozy 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 to satisfy that sweet tooth?
I used to think my One-Bowl Chocolate Cake was easy, but then I created this microwave cake recipe and now I’m hooked. I’m so hooked that I’ve created protein mug cake recipe too that you totally need to try! 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? You just can’t beat the taste of those two together!
What’s in This Peanut Butter Mug Cake?
Now, microwave mug cakes are 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 best mug cake:
- Peanut butter and chocolate are of course the main flavor components here.
- Vegetable oil helps to keep the cake moist – no dry mug cakes here.
- Egg white gives the cake structure and helps it to be light and fluffy.
- This cake in a mug 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 Cake in a Mug Without an Egg?
Yes, you can make this eggless and use milk instead, but the texture is much better using the egg white. I should note here that this recipe is dairy-free and you can make it gluten free by swapping the all purpose flour with gluten-free flour.
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 microwave-safe mug. Give it a good whisk with a fork.
- Add the dry ingredients and stir the cake batter 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 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 Substitutions/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 center – if you really want to dial it up a notch, push a Lindt truffle into the top before it cooks for a molten, gooey chocolate center.
- 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 recipe for Nutella, cookie butter, or any other nut butter too.
- Vanilla – add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract for that comforting vanilla flavor
Are Mug Cakes Healthy?
Let’s not be fooled here, it’s still cake! One thing I love about mug cakes is that your portion is controlled, but they are still fairly high in calories and fat. They do have a lot of protein though…16 grams!
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? Satisfy your sweet cravings in minutes with this easy and delicious peanut butter cake in a mug recipe. Just a few simple ingredients and a microwave is all you need!
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
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
- 2 ½ Tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 1 Egg White, from a large egg, see note
- 2 ½ 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.1 ½ Tablespoons Vegetable Oil, 2 ½ Tablespoons Brown Sugar, 1 Egg White
- Add the peanut butter and mix well again.2 ½ Tablespoons Creamy Peanut Butter
- Add the flour, baking powder, and chocolate chips and mix until just combined.3 Tablespoons All-Purpose Flour, 1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder, 1 Tablespoon Chocolate Chips
- Cook in the microwave on high for 1 minute & 10 seconds (see notes below).
Recipe Notes
- Egg white: you can swap the egg white for 2 tablespoons of any milk (almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, soy milk, etc.) 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.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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.
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.
This is the best mug recipe I’ve tried. The flavor and consistency is spot on!
Thank you so much!! I literally want to make myself one every night!
This was insanely good!I loved it I also didn’t change a thing about this recipe would totally make it again!
What is 21/2 tbs how do I measure it?
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!
Hey Sheri! I just responded in case other readers have the same question in the future! So glad you loved it!
That is 2 and 1/2 tablespoons.
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.
Thank you so much for the review Kristy!
Great recipe!
I was skeptical however it is cooked through and so light a fluffy with the egg white.
Thank you! Yes, it is cooked through just fine.
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.
Nice! I love having professional opinions!!! 😉
Mine turned out soggy
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.
It was really yummy, but a bit dry. Besides that it was good!
Thank you for the feedback!
It looks really great. I want to do this. Thanks.
Do it!! You’ll love it!
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.
I’m so glad you love it!!
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!!
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!