5-Minute Peanut Butter Mug Cake Recipe

This Peanut Butter Mug Cake is moist, indulgent, and only takes 5 minutes to throw together. Even better, this easy mug cake is a kid-friendly recipe! 

Peanut Butter Cake in a Mug

Peanut butter cake in a mug! Now that I have your attention, I have a delightful little recipe for you, for those days when you are craving a cozy dessert but you forgot to prepare anything.

Who doesn’t love a cute mug dessert — aka a delicious miniature cake for one made in just minutes, perfectly portioned so that all you need to do is find a spoon and a comfy space on the couch to satisfy that sweet tooth?

I used to think my One-Bowl Chocolate Cake was easy, but then I created this microwave cake recipe and now I’m hooked. I’m so hooked that I’ve created protein mug cake recipe too that you totally need to try! Made from scratch, fluffy, and flavorful, I bet you have all the ingredients you need for this recipe on hand right now.

Plus, peanut butter and chocolate chips — like in these Peanut Butter Muffins or this gorgeous Peanut Butter Cheesecake Dip — are just the best of friends.  Is there a more perfect couple? You just can’t beat the taste of those two together!

What’s in This Peanut Butter Mug Cake?

Now, microwave mug cakes are small and we’re trusting the microwave to cook it perfectly, so it’s important to get the right balance of ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make this best mug cake:

• Peanut butter and chocolate are of course the main flavor components here.
• Vegetable oil helps to keep the cake moist – no dry mug cakes here.
• Egg white gives the cake structure and helps it to be light and fluffy.
• This cake in a mug recipe uses brown sugar for enhanced flavor and also moisture.
• Finally, cake regulars, flour and baking powder do the job of structure and lift.

Can I Make a Cake in a Mug Without an Egg?

Yes, you can make this eggless and use milk instead, but the texture is much better using the egg white. I should note here that this recipe is dairy-free and you can make it gluten free by swapping the all purpose flour with gluten-free flour.

How to Make a Mug Cake

Mug desserts are as easy as it gets. Here are the basic steps to making this microwave cake in a cup:

1. Start by combining the wet ingredients and sugar in a large microwave-safe mug. Give it a good whisk with a fork.
2. Add the dry ingredients and stir the cake batter until just combined
3. Cook on high for 70 seconds, then devour at will.

How Much Does This Recipe Make?

There’s no getting around it, this peanut butter cake is a decadent treat and the recipe fills a regular mug – about 1 cup worth of cooked cake. Perfect as a decadent dessert, but if you want smaller ones, you can certainly divide the batter between two ramekins.

And while this batter is made directly in the cup (read: only 1 cup, 1 fork, and 1 spoon to wash up), you could make a bigger batch in a bowl and then pour it into the cups – great idea if you have more than a couple to make.

An even better option would be, if you have kiddies, to get them involved making their own little dessert. Mug cake is a brilliant kid-friendly recipe, being safe for even the real littles to make and teaching them about combining ingredients all at the same time.

Mug Cake Substitutions/Variations to Try

Want to shake things up a bit? Here are some ways you can customize this peanut butter mug cake recipe and make it your own:

• Chocolate chips – swap the milk chips for semi-sweet or even white. Both go well with peanut butter.
• Gooey center – if you really want to dial it up a notch, push a Lindt truffle into the top before it cooks for a molten, gooey chocolate center.
• A little drizzle – I like to drizzle chocolate over the top of mine but you can drizzle peanut butter if you prefer. Or why not add a dollop of ice cream or jelly once it’s cooked.
• Peanut butter swap – you can swap the peanut butter in this recipe for Nutella, cookie butter, or any other nut butter too.
• Vanilla – add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract for that comforting vanilla flavor

Are Mug Cakes Healthy?

Let’s not be fooled here, it’s still cake! One thing I love about mug cakes is that your portion is controlled, but they are still fairly high in calories and fat. They do have a lot of protein though…16 grams!

Tips for Making a Microwave Mug Cake

• Microwaves vary, so the cooking time may vary too. Test it after a minute then add 10 second increments until you have your perfect timing worked out. It’s ready when you touch the top lightly and it doesn’t create a deep dent.
• If you are cooking more than one mug cake at a time, they will take longer to cook
• If you split the batter for one into two ramekins, they will cook much quicker.

I think that’s everything you need to know to go and make a delicious little Peanut Butter Mug Cake right now. What are you waiting for? Satisfy your sweet cravings in minutes with this easy and delicious peanut butter cake in a mug recipe. Just a few simple ingredients and a microwave is all you need!

More No-Bake Dessert Recipes:

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