I’m such a fan of this microwave brownie made in a mug. It’s so much better than I thought it would be. It’s super chocolatey, rich, and fudgy. I love it. As a bonus, it takes about 5 minutes. For my favorite baked brownies, see my fudgy brownie recipe or these one bowl brownies.
Key Ingredients
The Mug: Use a microwave-safe coffee mug that holds at least 1 cup of liquid. I recommend using a ceramic mug that’s taller rather than wide, as this helps the brownie rise beautifully (like in our photos). Coconut Oil or Butter: I love melted coconut oil, but melted butter works really well. You can even use a fruity olive oil. Flour: All-purpose flour is my go-to, but a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend should work in this recipe. Cocoa Powder: Use your favorite unsweetened cocoa (natural or Dutch). I like to sift it with the flour to avoid lumps and get a smoother batter. Sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and creates that perfect fudgy texture. Liquid: I love using coffee to enhance the chocolate flavor, but water or milk (dairy or non-dairy) works too. Egg: Adding an egg provides some structure, but you can omit it for an extra fudgy, dense brownie. If you leave out the egg, you’ll need to increase the liquid (tips are in the recipe). Vanilla and Salt: Don’t skip these! They make the brownie taste better.
How to Make a Brownie in a Mug
Making my mug brownie recipe only takes 5 minutes. You can mix everything in the mug itself, but mixing the batter in a bowl is a little better for making sure the batter is well blended. I take the extra step of sifting my flour and cocoa powder together (it’s optional but removes any lumps in the cocoa). Then, I mix them into the remaining ingredients before pouring the batter into my mug. When adding the brownie batter to the mug, try not to let the batter drip down the sides. If you do drip, wipe it clean before microwaving. I cook the brownie in the microwave (without peeking) for 1 minute and 30 seconds. We’ve found any longer dries it out. You may find you need to tweak timing a little since all microwaves and mugs are going to be a little different. You can serve the brownie immediately and eat straight from the mug (just be careful; it is very hot at first). Or, turn it upside down and place it onto a plate. The mug brownie is best when it’s warm and is absolutely amazing when topped with a bit of salt and ice cream! 1/4 cup (32g) all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons (16g) unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar 1 ½ tablespoons coffee or milk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 large egg Pinch fine sea salt 1 tablespoon chocolate chips, optional 2Sift in the flour and cocoa powder and whisk until combined. Stir in chocolate chips (optional). 3Carefully pour the batter into the mug. Clean any drips around the edges of the mug, then microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds to 1 minute and 45 seconds. 4Serve with a sprinkle of salt on top, if you like. Top with your favorite brownie toppings (ice cream is always a good choice).
