A decadent, gooey, single-serve chocolate hazelnut Nutella mug cake made with an easy 4 ingredients in the microwave!
If you are looking for a sweet fix in just a couple of minutes this is the recipe for you! This cake takes 4 minutes in total and is made from only 4 ingredients. Does a cake get any easier than this?! Not only that, but it’s NUTELLA! How can you go wrong with that sweet, chocolate hazelnut spread right…
List of Ingredients
Not only is this cake super quick and easy to make it only needs four ingredients! If you have self-raising flour you don’t even need the baking powder. Simply use the same amount as you would plain flour.
- Nutella: This delicious chocolate hazelnut spread is perfect for making cake because it acts as the sugar and fat in the cake. This lets you bring the mug cake together with minimal ingredients. If you don’t have nutella any other chocolate hazelnut spread should work just as well.
- Egg: The egg acts as a binding agent for the cake, bringing it all together and adding a little lightness.
- Flour: Flour is the gives the cake structure and body- essentially making it a cake!
- Baking powder: Baking powder is needed to give the cake rise, giving it that fluffy texture
Different Variations and toppings
This recipe makes that warm, and slightly gooey nutella cake base, but there are so many different ways you can dress this up! Here are a couple of my favourite suggestions.
- More nutella: An extra drizzle over the top of the cake adds to that gooeyness and creates an even more indulgent dessert
- Peanut butter: A drizzle of peanut butter over the top of these will transform them into a gooey chocolate peanut butter mug cake
- Chocolate chips: Mix chocolate chips into the batter for a double chocolate mug cake
- Fresh fruit: Break up the sweetness of the cake with some freshness. Fresh berries like strawberries, raspberries and cherries are the perfect match for anything chocolate
- Whipped cream: Whipped cream is a MUST! The light creaminess breaks up the sweetness, adds moisture and creates an all rounded dessert.
- Vanilla Ice cream: The ultimate combination. Warm, gooey chocolate cake and smooth and creamy ice-cream. The contrast in temperature and texture is what makes this the best collaboration.
- Cocoa powder: A dusting of cocoa powder over these mug cakes will give them an extra rich chocolatey touch
- Sprinkles: Top these off with sprinkles for a colourful and fun topping
Tips for Perfect Nutella Mug Cake
Choose the Right Mug
Select a wide, straight-sided mug (10–12 oz or larger). A narrow mug traps heat, cooking unevenly and risking overflow. Think of your mug as the stage—your cake needs space to rise and shine.
Stir with Care
When mixing, make sure the Nutella fully incorporates into the batter. If it clings to the bottom or sides, you’ll end up with dry streaks. A thorough mix ensures that fudgy, smooth texture Nutella lovers adore.
Adjust for Microwave Wattage
Every microwave is different. Start at 60 seconds on high and then continue in 10–15 second bursts. The perfect mug cake should look set on top but still glossy in the center—a sign of gooey goodness inside.
Add a Pinch of Salt or Vanilla
A tiny pinch of salt or a drop of vanilla extract balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate-hazelnut flavor. This subtle addition creates depth, making each spoonful taste like a bakery delight.
Boost Moisture with Milk or Yogurt
Fold in a spoonful of milk, cream, or even plain yogurt for extra softness. It prevents dryness and makes the cake melt in your mouth with every bite.
Let It Rest Before Eating
Once cooked, allow your mug cake to sit for 30–60 seconds. This short rest helps it firm up slightly while staying warm and gooey inside. It’s worth the wait—trust the process.
Add a Textural Twist
For more texture, gently stir in a few crushed nuts or mini chocolate chips before microwaving. They’ll create tiny pockets of flavor that burst with every bite.
Create a Bakery Aroma
Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or espresso powder to the batter for a fragrant twist. These subtle scents will fill your kitchen with cozy warmth.
Serving Suggestions
Classic Ice Cream Pairing
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla or hazelnut ice cream. The contrast of hot cake and cold cream is a timeless combination that melts perfectly together.
Whipped Cream Cloud
Top with a swirl of whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder. It adds a soft, airy touch and elevates the presentation to café level.
Fresh Berry Balance
Pair with strawberries, raspberries, or cherries. Their tartness balances the sweetness, making the dessert feel light and refreshing.
Coffee Companion
Enjoy your mug cake alongside a cup of espresso, cappuccino, or mocha. The bitterness of coffee complements the Nutella beautifully.
Caramel or Chocolate Sauce
Drizzle a ribbon of caramel or melted chocolate over the cake before serving. It enhances both flavor and visual appeal.
Crunchy Toppings
Sprinkle chopped hazelnuts, almonds, or chocolate shavings for extra texture. This small detail adds elegance to every bite.
Layered Indulgence
Scoop out the cake and layer it in a glass with whipped cream and fruit for an instant dessert parfait. It’s perfect for sharing—or keeping all to yourself.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overcooking the Cake
Microwaving for too long dries the cake and hardens the edges. Stop cooking when the center looks slightly shiny. The residual heat will finish the job.
Under-mixing the Batter
If Nutella or flour sticks to the bottom, the texture becomes uneven. Scrape down the sides thoroughly before microwaving.
Overfilling the Mug
Filling the mug more than halfway can cause overflow. Leave enough space for the cake to rise freely.
Using the Wrong Mug
Avoid mugs with thick walls or narrow tops. They trap heat unevenly, resulting in an undercooked center.
Skipping Rest Time
Cutting into the cake immediately may cause a molten mess. Resting helps it set into that perfect gooey consistency.
Overmixing the Batter
Stir only until the ingredients combine. Overmixing can develop too much gluten, leading to a tough, bread-like texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different chocolate spread?
Yes definitely! There are so many Nutella alternatives out there these days, most of them are made from a similar composition of ingredients and will work perfectly in the place of Nutella.
My mug cake was dry
The cake may be dry if you left it in the microwave for too long or have let them sit for too long. These cakes are made to be eaten straight away, as the longer they sit the more they will dry out. These are so easy to put together so make them just before you’re ready to eat!
Is the cake safe to eat with a molten centre?
Yes! At 2 minutes the bottom of the cake will be slightly molten, creating a delicious contrast in textures.
If you want the cake to be more gooey microwave it for 1 minute and 30 seconds. At this stage, the batter has been heated enough to be safe for consumption, so there won’t be any problems eating it a little gooier!
How long does this last?
These are best eaten fresh as they are warm and gooey. Once they cool down they will lose some of that moisture, however, they’ll be just as delicious
Can I make these ahead of time?
While you can make these ahead of time these are best when freshly made. If you are to make these ahead of time you can make the batter in the mugs and set them aside. When ready to serve simply place them in the microwave and zap!
Why did my mug cake become hard?
If you heat your mug cake for too long it’ll become dry and hard. This might be because your microwave is more powerful. In that case, simply microwave your mug cake for a shorter amount of time.
How do you keep a mug cake moist?
The secret to a moist mug cake is in the cook time. Make sure you don’t overcook your mug cakes as the longer you cook it the drier it’ll become.
Once these cakes are microwaved they will be a little moist and gooey on the inside, however as they sit for another minute or so they will set up and become the perfect consistency!
These cakes are also better when they are a little gooey so I recommend keeping them that way!
Can I Make This Without an Egg?
Yes. Replace the egg with a mix of milk and oil. It keeps the cake soft and rich without affecting the flavor.
How Long Should I Microwave It?
Start at 60 seconds on high power, then check. Continue in 10–15 second bursts until the top looks set but not dry. The ideal texture is soft, slightly shiny, and springy to touch.
How Do I Keep It Gooey Inside?
Microwave it just until the edges are firm and the center remains slightly wet. Letting it rest for a minute allows the heat to finish cooking while staying molten inside.
Can I Prepare the Batter Ahead?
Yes. Mix the batter in the mug and refrigerate it for up to an hour. Microwave when ready to serve, adding an extra 10 seconds to account for the chill.
Can I Make More Than One at a Time?
Yes, but microwave each mug separately. Cooking multiple mugs at once can result in uneven heating.
Can I Make It Healthier?
Swap part of the Nutella for natural nut butter, use oat flour instead of plain flour, or add mashed banana for natural sweetness. These small adjustments keep the indulgence guilt-free.
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftovers?
Mug cakes are best eaten fresh, but if needed, cover and refrigerate for up to one day. Reheat for 10–15 seconds in the microwave before serving.
Can I Add Flavors Other Than Nutella?
Definitely. Try peanut butter, biscoff spread, or white chocolate hazelnut spread for fun twists. The base recipe is flexible and forgiving—your imagination is the limit.
Let’s Get Cooking
If you liked this recipe make sure to leave me a comment and rating down below. I’d love to know how it went! Also, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @catherine.desserts.
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4 Ingredient Nutella Mug Cake Recipe
A single-serve decadent chocolate hazelnut mug cake made with an easy 4 ingredients in the microwave!
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 4 minutes
- Yield: 1 mug cake 1x
- Category: Cake
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup Nutella, or any chocolate hazelnut spread (95g)
- 1 Large egg
- 2 tbsp Plain flour (15g)
- 1/4 tsp Baking powder
Instructions
- In a large microwaveable mug combine the Nutella and egg
- Add the flour and baking powder and mix until just combined
- Microwave on high for 2 minutes
- Remove from the microwave and cool for 2 minutes
- Top with your desired toppings and enjoy!
Surprisingly very good considering how easy it was to make! I tried it with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream! Yummy!
Sounds delicious 🙂
I accidentally put way too little flour (1/4th of what was actually needed) but it still turned out really good!
Hi Jenny, so glad it turned out good regardless, it’s a super easy cake ????
Amazing!!!!!
Glad you like it! 🙂