Easy Instant Pot Chocolate Mug Cake

Learn how to make a chocolate mug cake without a microwave! It’s simple yet decadent, and is a sweet way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Instant Pot Chocolate Mug Cake is the perfect snack for one, and it’s ready in just a few minutes.

chocolate cake in a mug that was cooked in the Instant Pot pressure cooker

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There are times when I open and close the fridge and every cabinet in the kitchen multiple times, hoping “something delicious” will just appear. 😉

Usually, it’s when I am craving something a little sweet, but I know that making a whole cake or an entire batch of cookies would be going overboard.

A tasty treat that’s small and made-for-one is ideal.

This Instant Pot chocolate mug cake is quick and easy, and something quick and easy is exactly what I need when a craving hits.

Like my favorite cornbread in a mug recipe, Instant Pot chocolate cake in a mug comes together fast with simple ingredients I already have on hand. I can avoid premade mixes that make large servings and have a tasty treat for one in just minutes.

If you love baked goods and didn’t know you could bake in your Instant Pot, you will love this recipe.

The cake is moist and chocolatey and will curb any sweet cravings you have, and it only takes a few minutes to make.

More Instant Pot Desserts You’ll Love:

a spoon removes a bite of chocolate mug cake that was cooked without a microwave, using the Instant Pot

How to Make a Mug Cake Without a Microwave

Microwave mug cakes are a cinch to make, but I know some people don’t have a microwave, or just prefer to use other cooking methods.

This chocolate pressure cooker mug cake can be made without a microwave, and it’s super easy! It will take a few minutes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure, but the cake will cook in only a few minutes.

The end result is a warm, moist cake that can be eaten as-is or topped with frosting, powdered sugar or whipped cream for even more decadence.

How Long to Cook a Mug Cake in the Instant Pot

The size of your mug and your desired consistency can affect cook times.

In my large 20-ounce mug, a 4-minute cook time yields a slightly soft and gooey center, similar to a molten chocolate cake.

If you don’t want a gooey center, a 6-minute cook time is a better choice for you.

Are you using a smaller mug, such as a standard 10-ounce mug? If so, the batter will be deeper and will generally require an additional 1-2 minutes of cook time.

To be on the safe side, you can always check the consistency at the specified cook time, and then cook for an extra minute or two if needed.

How to Make Instant Pot Chocolate Mug Cake

It’s really easy to make this chocolate mug cake–and you don’t even need eggs.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

  • Self-rising Flour
  • Cocoa Powder
  • Granulated sugar
  • Applesauce
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Milk
  • Chocolate Chips (optional)
Freshly baked chocolate mug cake topped with chocolate chips

How to Make It:

(Full printable recipe is available below)

Prepare the Instant Pot. First, you’ll pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot and add the trivet.

Make the cake batter. Next, you’ll add the dry ingredients to a large mug. Add the wet ingredients.

flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and applesauce in a mug.

Stir to combine. Top with chocolate chips if using.

cake batter mixed together and sprinkled with chocolate chips

Cook the mug cake. Then, you’ll set the mug on the trivet then seal the lid. Cook at high pressure for 4 minutes, followed by a quick release of pressure.

chocolate mug cake in the Instant Pot

Serve. Last, you’ll use an oven mitt to lift the mug cake out of the Instant Pot. It will be very hot. Garnish as desired and serve warm.

Warm chocolate mug cake cooked in the Instant Pot, topped with melty chocolate chips

Notes and Adaptations:

  • This cake is best eaten warm.
  • If you don’t have applesauce on hand, you can use vegetable oil, melted butter, or melted coconut oil instead.
  • Chocolate chips are an easy addition, but I also love adding a spoonful of peanut butter or Nutella to the center of the batter.
  • This is a great treat as-is, but you can also add a dollop of whipped cream or scoop of vanilla ice cream while it’s still warm!

Recommended Equipment:

Yield: 1 mug cake

Instant Pot Chocolate Mug Cake

Instant Pot chocolate mug cake with a spoon in it

Need to satisfy your sweet tooth without overindulging or spending a lot of time baking? This Instant Pot chocolate mug cake is just the ticket.

Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Additional Time 5 minutes
Total Time 11 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 TBSP self-rising flour
  • 1 TBSP cocoa powder
  • 1 TBSP granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp applesauce
  • 1/8 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 TBSP milk
  • 1 TBSP chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pour 1 cup of water into the insert pot of the Instant Pot and set the trivet into place.
  2. In a large mug, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, and sugar.
  3. Add applesauce, vanilla extract, and milk. Stir to combine well.
  4. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top of the batter (if using).
  5. Place mug on the trivet and close the pressure cooker lid. Set the vent to the sealed position and select a cook time of 4 minutes* at high pressure.
  6. When the cook time is complete, carefully perform a quick release of pressure. After the pressure has released and the valve has dropped, carefully remove the lid.
  7. Use an oven mitt to lift the mug out of the Instant Pot (be careful--it's hot!). Serve mug cake as desired.

Notes

  • This cake is best eaten warm.
  • If you don't have applesauce on hand, you can use vegetable oil, melted butter, or melted coconut oil instead.
  • Chocolate chips are an easy addition, but I also love adding a spoonful of peanut butter or Nutella to the center of the batter.
  • *The size of your mug and your desired consistency can affect cook times. In my large 20-ounce mug, a 4-minute cook time yields a slightly soft and gooey center, similar to a molten chocolate cake. If you don't want a gooey center, a 6-minute cook time is a better choice for you. If you are using a smaller mug (such as a 10-ounce mug), the batter will be deeper and will generally require an additional 1-2 minutes of cook time. You can always check the consistency at the specified cook time, and cook for an extra minute or two if needed.
  • This is a great treat as-is, but you can also add a dollop of whipped cream or scoop of vanilla ice cream while it's still warm!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 201Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 206mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 2gSugar: 21gProtein: 4g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and is not guaranteed for accuracy.

Want more delicious recipe ideas?

Check out even more mealtime inspiration on my Pinterest boards!

collage image featuring two photos--one of a chocolate mug cake cooked without a microwave, fresh out of the Instant Pot, and the other is the cake with a spoon inserted in it.

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