This recipe for Nutella Mug Cake takes only 2 minutes and uses just 7 ingredients. Made in a mug in the microwave, it's the ideal single-serving dessert for a quick and satisfying treat!
I love making quick and delicious mug cakes like this Nutella Mug Cake, along with my favourites, such as Air Fryer Chocolate Mug Cake and Strawberry Mug Cake. They're perfect for those moments when instant dessert cravings strike or when you need a quick treat for special occasions like Mother's Day or Valentine's Day.
This dessert is so easy that my kids have been making variations of this Nutella cake for years to enjoy and treat us on my birthday too.
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Why I Love This Recipe for Nutella Mug Cake?
- Perfect quick fix for Nutella cravings and chocolate cravings.
- Made in the microwave – no need to turn on the oven or air fryer.
- Ideal single-serving dessert
- Fun and easy to make with kids
- Great sweet treat for Nutella lovers
- Ready in under 2 minutes – the best Nutella Mug Cake!
- Perfect after-school snack for little ones
- Easily customizable – adjust sweetness by omitting sugar or make it eggless!
Ingredients
(Detailed ingredients and measurements in mentioned in the recipe card below)
While a 3-ingredient Nutella mug cake (flour, egg, and Nutella) is possible, using all these ingredients provides the perfect balance of flavors and a less egg-y taste.
- Egg – You can substitute with ¼ cup of yogurt for every egg or use a little extra milk.
- Sunflower Oil – A neutral-flavored oil works best. You can also use vegetable oil.
- Nutella Spread – Use Nutella or a chocolate hazelnut spread substitute for that rich chocolate flavor. Use it make Nutella Yogurt Parfait or Nutella Biscoff spread cake.
- Flour – All-purpose flour or plain flour works perfectly.
- White Sugar – Caster or granulated sugar for a touch of sweetness.
- Milk – I use whole milk, but plant-based options like oat milk or soy milk work just as well.
- Baking Powder – Helps the cake rise and stay fluffy.
Optional Add ins
Chocolate Chips, Peanut Butter, Strawberries
How to Make Microwave Nutella Mug Cake in 3 Simple Steps?
- Choose a large mug (I used a 400 ml microwave-safe mug) and whisk together the wet ingredients.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until the nutella cake batter is smooth.
- Microwave on HIGH for 60-90 seconds, watching closely to avoid overcooking.
Sandhya's Tips
- Don’t overmix the cake batter. Stir just until the ingredients are combined, similar to a pancake mixture. Overmixing can cause the cake to become dense and prevent it from rising properly.
- Use a large microwave safe mug. The batter will expand as it cooks, so use a mug that can hold at least double the amount of batter. I personally use a 400ml mug (Denby mugs are my favourite!).
- Place a plate under the mug. In case the batter overflows while cooking, place a plate under the mug in the microwave to catch any mess.
- Adjust cooking time based on your microwave. The suggested 60-second cooking time is for a 1200W microwave. In my old 800W microwave, it took about 90 seconds. Start checking at 50 seconds and continue checking at 10-second intervals to prevent overcooking.
Storing leftover mug cake
While we rarely have leftovers of nutella mug cake at home (it’s that good!), you can store them easily. I usually cover the mug with plastic wrap or a silicone lid and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply microwave for 15-30 seconds—adjusting the time based on whether the cake is chilled or frozen. Trust me, it’s just as delicious the next day!
How to Serve Nutella Mug Cake?
I love to serve my Nutella mug cake straight from the mug with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. But honestly, the fun doesn’t stop there! I get creative with toppings—sometimes I drizzle more Nutella on top, pile on fresh berries like my nutella parfait jars, or even dust a little icing sugar for that extra indulgent touch.
Recipe FAQ's
While this recipe contains egg, you can easily make it vegan by substituting the egg with ¼ cup of yogurt or extra milk. Use a plant-based milk and a vegan chocolate hazelnut spread to complete the vegan version.
Absolutely! You can freeze a mug cake once it’s cooled. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil before placing it in the freezer. It will keep well for up to 1 month. When you're ready to enjoy it, simply thaw it and reheat in the microwave for a few seconds to bring it back to life.
Yes, its easy! Simply pour the cake batter into a greased oven-safe ramekin and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. It will take a bit longer than the microwave version, but it’s still just as delicious.
Absolutely! You can make mug cake in the air fryer. Check out my Air fryer chocolate mug cake and strawberry mug cake recipes.
If your cake spills over, it is because you are using a smaller mug/ bowl. Try using a larger mug or bowl and fill it until just half. If you don't have a big enough mug, a cereal bowl will work just as well.
If your mug cake is undercooked, simply microwave it for another 10-30 seconds. Check at 10-second intervals to ensure it’s fully cooked and has a fluffy texture.
More easy Mug Dessert Recipes
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon plain flour
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- 3 tablespoon nutella
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 large egg beaten
- 2 tablespoon oil
- 3 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- In a large mug, add egg, oil, milk and nutella and whisk with a fork it until smooth.
- Add sugar, plain flour and baking powder. Whisk well until well combined.
- Microwave on HIGH for approx 60 - 90 seconds. Start with 50 seconds and cook for more time, if necessary. If you are cooking at 900W, cook for approximately 60 seconds.
- Allow the cake to cool slightly before eating.
- Serve Nutella Mug Cake with a dollop of vanilla ice cream.
Video
Notes
- Don’t overmix the cake batter. Stir just until the ingredients are combined, similar to a pancake mixture. Overmixing can cause the cake to become dense and prevent it from rising properly.
- Use a large mug. The batter will expand as it cooks, so use a mug that can hold at least double the amount of batter. I personally use a 400ml mug (Denby mugs are my favorite!). If you enjoy smaller portions, you can divide the batter into two small ramekins or mugs too.
- Use a mug with straight sides. This helps the cake cook evenly throughout, ensuring a consistent texture.
- Place a plate under the mug. In case the batter overflows while cooking, place a plate under the mug in the microwave to catch any mess.
- Adjust cooking time based on your microwave. The suggested 60-second cooking time is for a 1200W microwave. In my old 800W microwave, it took about 90 seconds. Start checking at 50 seconds and continue checking at 10-second intervals to prevent overcooking.
- In the Fridge: Cover the mug with plastic wrap or a silicone lid and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- In the Freezer: To freeze, allow the mug cake to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil. Place it in the freezer for up to 1 month.
- Reheat: When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply microwave it for 15-30 seconds, adjusting the time depending on whether it’s chilled or at room temperature.
Janelle says
Perfect for the kids!
Haley D. Williams says
Love the addition of nutella in this mug cake. So good.
Biana says
I love making all kids of cakes in the microwave, and this one looks amazing! Looking forward to making this Nutella cake.
Anita says
I love mug cake, and this one with nutella is really dangerously good. If I'm not careful, I might end up with eating one mug a day.
Krissy Allori says
So quick and easy to make. My kids can do this when they get home from school if they have a sweet craving. We love Nutella around here.