Craving something sweet? Bake yourself a cake in the microwave! These ooey-gooey Chocolate Banana Mug Cakes are made with 6 gluten free and dairy free ingredients in only 2 minutes. They’re so fudgy!
Chocolate banana mug cake recipe
When I’m craving a quick dessert, mug cakes are my go-to. These single-serving cakes are baked in a mug in the microwave in minutes. In the end, you always have a moist and fluffy homemade cake!
I’m a big fan of chocolate cake and banana bread, so meshing the two into a Chocolate Banana Mug Cake was a no-brainer. Imagine spoonfuls of warm chocolate banana bread with an ooey-gooey chocolate center.
I usually grab a spoon and dig in, but when I’m feeling fancy, I’ll transfer it to a plate and enjoy it à la mode for breakfast, a quick snack, or as an after-dinner dessert. You can also serve these adorable cakes as a romantic Valentine’s Day or date night dessert or when you need an elegant dessert to impress guests. Besides, who doesn’t love a chocolate cake you don’t have to share?
Mug cakes are so quick and flexible too! Throw a few different mug cake flavors together easily, like Blueberry Mug Cake and French toast in a mug. Always ready to eat in a pinch, drizzle your cakes with melted chocolate, white chocolate, or caramel to make each bite extra special.
What’s in a mug cake?
These mug cakes are made with simple ingredients you may already have on hand. Here’s what you’ll need to make a chocolate banana mug cake in the microwave:
- Banana
- Peanut butter
- Egg
- Honey
- Cocoa powder
- Chocolate chips
How to make chocolate banana mug cakes
These easy-to-follow instructions will show you how to make gooey chocolate mug cakes in a pinch. Here’s how it’s done:
Place the banana in a small bowl and mash with a fork.
Mix in the peanut butter, egg, and honey. Then add the cocoa and stir until smooth. To finish, fold in the chocolate chips.
Divide the chocolate-banana cake batter between two microwave-safe mugs or ramekins.
One at a time, microwave the cakes until they’ve risen.
Grab a spoon and enjoy your cake straight out of the mug or transfer it to a plate and top with ice cream or whipped cream. Personally, I love adding sprinkles on top of mine – tastes just like chocolate birthday cake!
Tips for the best banana mug cake
- Use the right bananas – Your bananas do not necessarily have to be overripe, however, brown and spotty bananas will help your cakes taste much sweeter. It’s also a great recipe to make when you have overripe bananas to use up!
- Oven-safe mugs – Please be sure to use an oven-safe mug or ramekin! If you don’t the mug could crack in the heat.
Variations
This simple recipe leaves plenty of room for customizations and tasty mix-ins. These are some of my favorite ways to make chocolate mug cakes even better:
- Top with nut butter – While your mug cake is still warm, top it with a dollop of Nutella, peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, etc.
- Frosting – Spread a spoonful of chocolate brownie frosting, cream cheese frosting or peanut butter frosting on top of the warm chocolate cakes.
- Mix-ins – You aren’t limited to chocolate chips. Feel free to mix in chocolate chunks, chopped nuts, or dried fruit. You can also fold in sprinkles, white chocolate chips, caramel chips, or peanut butter chips.
- Make it a sundae – These individual chocolate cakes are perfect for hot fudge ice cream sundaes. They’re delicious when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, hot fudge sauce, and a cherry!
Storing
You’re probably used to letting your cakes cool completely, but these gooey chocolate mug cakes are best enjoyed straight from the microwave. The mug cakes will begin to harden the longer as they cool to room temperature.
To store: If you do end up with leftover cake, you can cover it with plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Reheat for 15 to 20 seconds in the microwave.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my mug cakes rubbery?
If your cakes turned out chewy and rubbery tasting, you might have overmixed the batter or overcooked them. Microwaves warm food differently, so be careful not to leave them in too long. Once the cakes rise, remove them from the microwave immediately.
How do you make a fluffy mug cake?
The key to making a fluffy mug cake is using room-temperature ingredients and not overmixing the batter.
Can I bake a mug cake in the oven?
No. The batter is meant to be microwaved as single-servings in mugs or ramekins. For safety purposes and to achieve the right texture, it’s best to leave this recipe as-is. If you’d prefer to bake a cake, check out this chocolate banana cake with peanut butter frosting.
More chocolate-banana desserts you’ll love
- Chocolate Soft Serve Ice Cream
- Chocolate Banana Bread Muffins
- Nutella Swirled Banana Coconut Bread
- Banana White Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Chocolate Banana Smoothie
Pin for later:
Chocolate Banana Mug Cake
PrintIngredients
- 1 banana
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Mash the banana in a small bowl with a fork. Add the peanut butter, egg, cocoa powder, honey and chocolate chips. Mix batter thoroughly until smooth.
- Divide the cake batter between two mugs or ramekins. Cook mugs separately in the microwave for 2 minutes, or until cake has risen.
- Eat cakes directly out of mugs. Optional, but I love adding rainbow sprinkles on top of mine. Enjoy!
Sophie says
I loved this cool post! I made the cakes just now & drizzled a combo of white & dark melted chocolate over the tops! My friends & I loved them so much! xx
Easy peasy too! x
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
I’ve still yet to try making a mug cake, but I’m thinking I totally need to after this… baking a cake and having to wait all that time is just way too much for my lack of patience… but having cake in 2 minutes?!?!?! Heck yes!
Anna @ shenANNAgans says
I want, I want, I want, I want, I waaaaant! 🙂
Delicious and a great way for me to use up my frozen bananas, had planned on banana bread, but this mug cake is way cooler.
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
Oh my goodness Pamela, I’m sitting here at nearly bedtime and I thin I’m going to jump up and make this after I’ve posted this comment. You have given me such a craving for it now!!
Amy @ Elephant Eats says
Uh oh, it’s dangerous having a microwave recipe for cake! I love chocolate banana…and always have frozen bananas. Will have to give it a try!
Aimee says
You got me with “made in 2 minutes”! Simple and easy is great for a lazy cook like me. 🙂
Valentina | The Baking Fairy says
These look so good! I love mug cakes, but I definitely agree that they can be hit-or-miss a lot of the time. This sounds like the perfect marriage of chocolate cake and banana bread. I can’t wait to try!
Matt @ Plating Pixels says
Wow! I’ve never made any mug desserts but you can’t beat a 2 minute chocolate molten cake. Perfect for those nights you want dessert but don’t feel like baking. I freeze bananas all the time for breakfast smoothies as well. Another tip is to peel and break in pieces before freezing. It’s much easier for grabbing whateve
Ashley says
I’ve only ever tried one mug cake and the recipe wasn’t so hot – wayyyy too dry! I need to give them another shot! This looks delicious!
Natalie @ Obsessive Cooking Disorder says
Wow this looks so simple yet delicious! I have way too many “banana slugs” I need to clean out from my freezer haha – my family things it’s awful but they’re so ripe and yummy in baked goods!
Bam's Kitchen says
Such a fun and easy recipe, I can’t wait to try this! I bet your garden is doing some amazing things now and can’t wait to see what you are harvesting this spring. Sharing and pinning! Take care, BAM
Ruby Red Apron says
These mug cakes look crazy amazing. What a perfect recipe to fix up a last minute dessert!
Melissa says
These look so delicious!
Monica says
You are a smart lady; using a ripe banana for a mug cake makes perfect sense. And I do know that feeling you described and it’s so great when it turns out so well!
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
This is breakfast tomorrow!
Mary // chattavore says
Oh YUM. I love this! All the other mug cakes I see are made from a boxed mix. I’m excited to find one that is from scratch and actually pretty healthy! Thanks, Pamela!
Suzanne says
I love mug cakes and really love your combination of chocolate and banana, delicious!!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
SUCH a yummy mug cake!!! I love it!
Emma @ Bake Then Eat says
I really need to give mug cakes a go, quick easy cake is right up my street. I bet this one is a winner especially as its got banana in it 😉
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
“Hot diggity dog, this IS incredible” Pamela!!! And it has only 2 teaspoons of sugar!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Peanut butter and banana…what’s not to love? It looks wonderfully delicious, Pamela.
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps says
Such a unique way to use up old bananas other than banana bread! LOVE!
Cassie says
Nah, I’ll eat both servings, thank you very much 😉