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5-Minute Fudgy Vegan Mug Brownie

on October 9, 2021
last updated May 27, 2024
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This vegan mug brownie is a dream come true. Fudgy and delicious, requires only a mug, six ingredients, and a microwave and is ready in just under 5 minutes.
vegan mug brownie with flaky sea salt

Craving something fudgy, but need it quick? This single-serving Fudgy Vegan Mug Brownie is not only just as delicious as ooey-gooey baked brownies, it’s ready in under 5 minutes!

The first recipe that put me on the map is my Condensed Milk Brownies, and ever since, I have received TONS of requests for various brownie recipes! I knew immediately I wanted to make a super simple brownie for you, and this gem was born!

No-fuss, no oven, and only one mug and six simple ingredients required. This easy vegan, single-serve dessert recipe is a dream come true! (It’s also highly addictive—don’t say I didn’t warn you!).

And to prove this recipe for a mug brownie is better than the rest, let me fill you in on this one differentiator: you can mix it all up together right in the mug (no other bowls necessary), which makes clean up easy, too!

Taking a bite of vegan mug brownie on a gold spoon

As a busy mom who appreciates decadent desserts, mug cakes are truly like a dream come true! the epitome of easy and efficient. I mean, I can make a single-serve cake without even turning on my oven!

If you want an even quicker and easier chocolate mug dessert, check out this 3-Ingredient Oreo Mug Cake next!

Vegan Mug Brownie Ingredients


You’ll need a standard 8-ounce or 10-ounce microwave-safe mug, and a fork to stir.

Outside of your mug, here’s everything you’ll need:

  • Cocoa powder. I use unsweetened dark cocoa powder.
  • All-purpose flour. Just enough to make a batter, but not too much to make it cakey. This is a fudgy brownie recipe.
  • Granulated sugar.
  • Oil. Coconut, vegetable, safflower, canola, or grapeseed. Olive oil works in a pinch but does change the consistency slightly.
  • Vanilla almond milk. Or any other milk you choose. If you are not using vanilla-flavored milk, add a splash of vanilla extract, too.
  • Dark chocolate chips. Add them last, on top. Some will sink, but most will melt, and add an ooey gooey layer of chocolate on top.
  • Sea salt (optional). To sprinkle on top to bring out the chocolate and add a slight contrast.
sugar, vanilla almond milk, oil, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, all-purpose flour
not pictured: optional sea salt for top

Optional Topping Ideas:

  • Non-dairy whipped cream
  • Dark chocolate chips, chunks, or shavings
  • Cinnamon or cinnamon & sugar
  • Fresh fruit
  • Sprinkles
  • Chocolate syrup or sauce
  • Peanut butter or other nut butter
  • Plant-based Ice cream or yogurt

Tested Substitutions

Coconut oil is my preference, but this mug cake will be just as delicious with vegetable, canola, safflower, or grapeseed oil. Bear in mind that using coconut oil will lend a very subtle coconut flavor.

Measure the oil in liquid form to get the correct amount.

For a healthier alternative, sub in 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons of coconut sugar for granulated sugar. You can also opt for cake flour in place of all-purpose flour in equal quantities.

Vegan Mug Brownie Tips and Tricks


What is a mug brownie?

A mug brownie is exactly how it sounds! It’s a brownie that is cooked by microwaving the batter inside of a mug.

Mix the Dry Ingredients Right in the Mug

The key to getting a delicious vegan mug dessert is making sure there are no lumps of flour or cocoa powder.

Add your dry ingredients to the mug first, and use a fork to mix them together. Ensure that there are no lumps in the dry mixture before adding your wet ingredients.

pouring flour into white mug
Use a fork to stir together the flour, cocoa powder, and sugar in the mug first.

Add Your Wet Ingredients to the Mug Next

Next, you’ll add both the milk and the oil. I like to use Vanilla Almond milk because it means I don’t need to add any vanilla extract.

If you don’t have any vanilla almond milk, no worries! Use any milk you have in the fridge. Option to add just a splash of vanilla extract if you’d like, but it’s not necessary.

This mug brownie is fudgy and delicious with or without it.

Once you add your wet ingredients, stir again with the fork. Make sure to run the fork around the inside edge of the mug.

This will help make sure you get any dry ingredients clinging to the edge of the mug so you don’t have any powder left in your batter.

pouring almond milk into mug
Next, add the oil and milk and stir until well-combined.

Add Chocolate Chips Last

Once you’ve thoroughly mixed your dry and wet ingredients, all that’s left is adding your chocolate chips.

Add them last and just leave them on top—no need to stir them into your brownie batter.

This will give you a melty chocolate top, adding to that perfect fudgy consistency.

pouring chocolate chips into white mug
Add the chocolate chips on top and allow them to naturally sink into your brownie rather than stirring it into the batter.

Consider a Pinch of Sea Salt

This part is optional, depending on your taste.

For me, finishing this mug brownie with flaky sea salt is the perfect addition. The touch of salt actually enhances the chocolate flavor and is a great contrast to the otherwise sweet vegan chocolate dessert.

sprinkling flaky sea salt on chocolate mug dessert
Once your mug brownie is out of the microwave, add a pinch of sea salt to enhance the flavor.

Microwaving Time May Vary

Everyone’s microwave is a little bit different. My microwave is 900 watts, and on high, this mug cake is perfect after 80 seconds.

The average microwave is between 600-1200 watts. If you know your microwave is 600 watts, you will probably need an extra 10 seconds. If your microwave is 1200 watts, start with 70 seconds.

But if you’re not sure, stick with 80 seconds. It will be safe to eat and delicious either way, but just make yourself a note for next time if you feel it was slightly overcooked.

If you’re doubling this recipe, start with 130 seconds and dip your spoon in to check if it needs any more time.

Alternatively, you can bake this mug brownie in the oven. Please make sure your mug is oven safe. Then, place your oven-safe mug on a baking sheet and bake it at 350°F on the top rack for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

How to Store and Reheat this Vegan Mug Brownie

This vegan mug brownie recipe makes just a single serving and is intended to enjoy right after microwaving it when it tastes fresh. Nonetheless, if you do have leftovers, cover your mug with saran wrap or beeswax and keep it at room temperature for up to 2 days.

You can enjoy your leftover mug brownie at room temperature, or you can reheat it for up to ten seconds to give it a little warmth. Please note that reheating for more than 10 seconds may overcook it and give you a rubbery texture.

I do not advise freezing this mug brownie or storing it in the refrigerator.

If you do want to do some prep to have some mug brownie batter on hand to make it easier for when the craving hits, the best thing to do is to mix all the dry ingredients together and store it in a reusable storage bag.

That way, when you crave your vegan brownie, all you have to do is add the prepped dry ingredients to a mug and mix in the oil, milk, and chocolate chips.

woman holding a chocolate dessert in a mug and taking a bite witha gold spoon

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Why You Should Make this Vegan Mug Brownie


  • It’s easy. Mix ingredients in the mug and chuck it in the microwave. Does it get any easier than that?
  • It’s quick. 80-seconds for brownies? No, you’re not dreaming!
  • It’s decadent. Chocolatey fudgy brownies topped with melted chocolate chips and sea salt. Need I say more?
  • It’s single-serving. Avoid waste (and over-indulgence) by making one single brownie!
vegan mug brownie with flaky sea salt

5-Minute Fudgy Vegan Mug Brownie

4.5 from 9 votes
Marley Goldin
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This vegan mug brownie is a dream come true. Fudgy and delicious, requires only a mug, six ingredients, and a microwave and is ready in just under 5 minutes.
Prep Time 4 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 serving

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable, coconut, canola, safflower, or grapeseed)
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla almond milk (or other milk of preference)
  • 2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips
  • 1 pinch sea salt (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Add cocoa powder, flour, and sugar to a standard 8-ounce or 10-ounce microwave-safe mug. Use a fork to stir, ensuring there are no lumps.
    2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • Add milk and oil and stir well, making sure to get all the dry ingredients that may be hiding in the corners of the mug.
    2 tablespoons vanilla almond milk, 2 tablespoons oil
  • Add chocolate chips on top and microwave on high for 80 seconds. Add a pinch of salt to top (optional). Enjoy!
    2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips, 1 pinch sea salt

Pro Tips

  • Using coconut oil does result in a mild hint of coconut flavor and aroma. If you want a strictly chocolate flavor, opt for another oil.
  • If you don’t have vanilla almond milk, you can use whatever milk is in your fridge. Option to add a splash of vanilla extract if you’re not using flavored milk.

Video

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Diet Vegan
Keyword 30 Minutes or Less, Chocolate, Easy, Microwave Brownie, Microwave Cake, Mug Brownie, Mug Cake, One-Bowl, Quick
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If you did, please give it a star rating, which will help other people just like you find and enjoy the recipe too 😊

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7 thoughts on “5-Minute Fudgy Vegan Mug Brownie”

  1. 1 star
    PMSing and desperately needed chocolate so I tried this. It’s just okay. I wouldn’t call it fudgy. Also I felt weird knowing I was eating 2 tablespoons of oil in just a few bites of brownie. Meh.

    1. Hi Julianna! Sorry you didn’t enjoy this! I wonder if it got overcooked. Was it rubbery? I haven’t had feedback before that it isn’t fudgy (especially for a brownie made in the microwave!). As for the oil, a typical box mix brownie made in an 8×8 pan contains a little over 1 tablespoon of oil (1.125 to be exact!), so as this serving is equivalent to a little more than one baked brownie, the amount of oil is pretty close to on par to your typical brownies. Hope that puts your mind at ease.

  2. 5 stars
    Meredith again…just popping in to say that I still make this mug brownie all of the time, and you should too. So darn good.

4.45 from 9 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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