Midnight Mug Cake for 2

Perfect for Valentine’s Day or date night, this double-chocolate mug cake for two comes together in just 15 minutes.

This dessert application developed out of a recipe I had for lava cake, you know, that little cake with chocolate that squirts out. They were all the rage in the 90s, so I made them once, then never again.

However, most of these ingredients can go into something I do make: midnight mug cake for 2 and, yes, I know mug cakes were all the rage in the late aughts, and no, I don’t care.

Best served with ice cream, whipped cream, or... just eat it out of the mug, you animal.

This recipe first appeared in Season 2 of Good Eats: Reloaded.

Midnight mug cake for 2 topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

ACTIVE TIME: 15

TOTAL TIME: 15

Yield: servings

Software

1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons Dutched cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large egg
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons high-quality semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons whole milk

Specialized Hardware

2 (10-ounce) coffee mugs

Procedure

Whisk the sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder ,and salt together in a medium bowl. Then, in a second bowl, whisk together the egg, oil ,and vanilla.
Evenly divide the chocolate chips and milk between two 10-ounce microwave-safe mugs. Nuke on high for 30 seconds. Meanwhile, stir the egg mixture into the sugar mixture to thoroughly combine.
Carefully extract the mugs and whisk the chocolate-milk mixture until smooth. Then divide the batter between the mugs and stir to combineI usually use a fork for this..
Park the mugs on a paper plate or paper towel in the center of the microwave carrousel, and just let them sit therefor 3 minutes. (Don’t skip this step — it’s giving the baking powder a head start!) Then, microwave on high for 1 minute and 45 seconds. Be sure to gaze in wonder as the batter rises soufflé-like right up out of the mug only to sink safely back into the confines of the mug moments before the final bell.
Carefully remove the mugs and either turn out into a bowl to devour with ice cream or — as I do because I have the discipline to wait — cool almost to room temp and devour out of the mug with whipped cream.
You’re welcome.