Fudgy Chocolate Brownie Microwave Mugcake with Vanilla Glaze
This is the best microwave mugcake I’ve ever made because it’s moist and not dry in the least. The texture is a cross between soft, moist devil’s food cake and a fudgy brownie. Both melted chocolate chips and cocoa powder give it plenty of rich chocolate flavor. The buttery vanilla glaze seeps into the porous cake, adding even more moisture and flavor. For times when you just have to have chocolate and need it in less than 5 minutes, make this. It’s dangerously fast, easy, and is sure to satisfy your chocolate cravings.
3tablespoonsvanilla or plain Greek yogurt1/4 cup buttermilk may be substituted and if using buttermilk, omit the 1 tablespoon of water
1tablespoonwater
3tablespoonsgranulated sugar
2tablespoonsunsweetened natural cocoa powder
1tablespoonlight brown sugarpacked
½teaspoonvanilla extract
½teaspooninstant espresso granulesoptional (but recommended to boost chocolate intensity; make sure they’re instant so they dissolve. Instant coffee granules may be substituted)
2tablespoonsall-purpose flour
scant 1/4 teaspoon baking powdera little less than 1/4 teaspoon
pinchsaltoptional and to taste
Vanilla Glaze
2tablespoonsunsalted buttermelted
about 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
½teaspoonvanilla extract
splash of cream or milkonly if necessary for consistency
Instructions
For the Mugcake – Prepare a large mug (at least 14 to 16 ounces) or two smaller mugs by spraying the inside with cooking spray; set aside.
In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter, about 1 minute on high power.
Add the chocolate chips and stir with a fork or whisk until melted and mixture is smooth. If necessary, heat for about 10 seconds if your chips are resisting melting.
Add the egg, yogurt and water (or buttermilk, and omit the water if using buttermilk), sugar, cocoa powder, brown sugar, vanilla, optional espresso granules, and whisk until smooth.
Add the flour, baking powder, optional salt, and stir until just combined.
Pour batter into prepared mug(s). Do not fill your mug over halfway full with batter because it will overflow in the microwave. Use two mugs rather than one if you’re on the fence because mugcakes need ample room for expansion because they puff dramatically during cooking.
For 1 large mug, cook on high power for about 2 1/2 to 3 minutes, or until firm yet springy to the touch. For 2 smaller mugs, cook separately for about 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 minutes, each. For my 1 large mugcake as shown, I cooked for 3 minutes. At the 1 1/2 minute mark, the cake puffed up over the top of the mug by about 1 inch, where it stayed and ‘hoovered’ above the mug for the duration of microwaving. Immediately upon powering off the microwave, the cake fell, by about 2 inches below the top edge of the mug. Your mugcake will deflate considerably while it cools. While it cools, make the glaze.
For the Vanilla Glaze – In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter, about 1 minute on high power.
Slowly add the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and stir with a fork or whisk until smooth and combined. If necessary to achieve desired glaze consistency, add a splash of cream or milk.
Pour glaze over the cake(s). It’s amazing how much glaze the cake will soak up so don’t be alarmed if it looks like you have a lot. If you do have extra glaze, it will keep airtight for many weeks in the refrigerator. Mugcakes are best eaten fresh, but will keep airtight for up to 2 days at room temperature.