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SubscribeChocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake*
Hey!! Wait, don’t click away! I swear, unlike all those mug cakes of the past this one is actually really tasty! It took me a long time to figure out what was wrong with all the mug cakes. I would see people making them and would try them again and again. They were never terrible, but they weren’t great either. They were just…passable. My biggest problem being the texture. They were always too spongy.
So when my girlfriend Erin of Erin’s Food Files posted a recipe (Banana Nutella Microwave Brownie) that she made up with a leftover half of a banana from her son Elliot, I kind of rolled my eyes. I thought, ya right…I have fallen for the mug cake one too many times. But then I read her description and the recipe was different than any of the others. So I figured what the hell, I will give it one more chance. And, BAM! It was exactly what I had been looking for in a mug cake!
Sadly, I don’t always have a half a banana lying around. To be honest, I almost never have half of a banana lying around! So I started trying to think of what made her recipe so different from all the others…and then it hit me, NO EGG. Sure the banana part is different too, but a banana can be replaced with things like oil and peanut butter. But the egg?! The egg is what had made all the other recipes so spongy! You can make a whole cake with just one egg…so why would we include a whole egg in a tiny mug cake for one??
Once I realized the egg was what was holding me back, the options were endless. I have made more mug cakes then I care to admit…but this has been my favorite recipe so far. It’s not too peanut butter-y, but just enough. It’s full of chocolate flavor and has a great texture. When microwaving, it does rise really high and fall. It’s strange and looks awful, but it’s perfect — I promise! Plus, this recipe is great to build off with other flavor combos. You can switch out the peanut butter for nutella or biscoff spread…or you can add fun additions like chocolate chips, marshmallows or nuts! I promise this is your new favorite midnight chocolate snack. 
Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake
Yield: 1 mug cake
recipe note: sometimes I like to stir in mini marshmallows or some chopped walnuts to add a little something different! Add both and it's like a Rocky Road Mug Cake!
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
3 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon peanut butterDirections:
In a large mug, whisk (with a small whisk or large fork) together the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt). Add the milk, vegetable oil and peanut butter. Whisk until smooth.
Cook in the microwave on high for 1 minute and 10 seconds. This recipe will rise a lot and then deflate. I know it's strange, but trust me it's delicious! Serve immediately!
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Mimi @ Culinary Couture — February 21, 2013 @ 9:15 pm
Sadly enough, I don’t have a microwave! But I have a good friend that does and LOVES mug cakes–I’ll be sure to pass this along!
Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen — February 21, 2013 @ 9:46 pm
Knowing how to make this is going to be very dangerous. If my pants don’t fit in a couple weeks you are going to be directly to blame
Averie @ Averie Cooks — February 21, 2013 @ 10:33 pm
I love that you stuck with the mugcake trials b/c I agree, they can be realllllllly hard to get right. Either raw, dried-and-fried, gloppy, gummy, or all of the above in one item! No egg, just banana. Reminds me of my vegan cooking days when I used to make all my muffins in the oven without eggs and just bananas. Need to try this!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl — February 22, 2013 @ 7:17 am
Chocolate + Peanut Butter = perfection. I want this right now!
Caroline @ chocolate & carrots — February 22, 2013 @ 7:19 am
Is it bad that I’m totally tempted to make this for breakfast this morning? One mug for coffee and one mug for cake!
Hey, it’s Friday…it’s allowed. 
Cheyenne — February 22, 2013 @ 8:13 am
I have never commented on a blog before, but I had to say this is the best mug cake I have made! And yes, I made it for breakfast and it was delicious! Thanks for FINALLY giving me a way to have a yummy cake in less than five minutes!
Jessica replied: — February 25th, 2013 @ 10:52 am
Yay! PS I would totally eat this for breakfast!
haha
Traci — February 22, 2013 @ 8:30 am
I love those mugs. So bright and colorful. I love the food inside the mugs too.great job.
Joanne @ Fifteen Spatulas — February 22, 2013 @ 9:14 am
Okay, I’m totally sold. I have tried mug cakes in the past and been disappointed but this looks awesome.
Christine @ Cooking with Cakes — February 22, 2013 @ 9:49 am
this is amazing because:
1.) I have all these ingredients laying in my cabinets
2.) I like when things are easy
3.) I have become OBSESSED with Peanut Butter & Company’s “Bees Knees” PB and have been dyinggg to bake it into something!
also, love your mugs. great post! xx
Bev @ Bev Cooks — February 22, 2013 @ 10:11 am
I just died.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar — February 22, 2013 @ 11:14 am
This looks so good!
Diana @ Sweet y Salado — February 22, 2013 @ 11:56 am
I have to admit that I’ve never made mug cakes, I’m just not crazy about making anything in the microwave since I only use it for heating up stuff. Question though, how essential is the peanut butter? I’m not too crazy about it (gasp!), so it would be something I would like to skip. Thoughts?
Jessica replied: — February 25th, 2013 @ 10:51 am
You could sub in something like Nutella or a cookie butter like Biscoff!
Joanne — February 22, 2013 @ 12:03 pm
who would have thought that one egg could make such a difference! I’ve actually never had a mug cake but I think I’m going to have to start making them after seeing this!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist — February 22, 2013 @ 2:05 pm
LOOK AT THAT GOOEY CHOCOLATE. I die.
Erin R. — February 22, 2013 @ 2:17 pm
No, no! You’re coming at the banana problem from the wrong side. If you open one, use half and then show Jorge the poor little spare half lying there on the table, do you think he’d agree to handle it for you? (grin)
Also, for the first time ever, I’m tempted to try making a mug cake. I’ve only ever heard bad news about them, like they’re one of those fake, weird desserts people make just for the sake of having something chocolaty. It never seemed worth it to me. But this actually looks GOOD! Pinned!
Jessica replied: — February 25th, 2013 @ 10:53 am
SO TRUE! I can just get that banana crazed husband to eat the other half…but since he travels 50% of that time, I somehow always crave mug cake when he’s not home!
Pam C — February 22, 2013 @ 2:32 pm
I’ve never tried (and never wanted to try) mug cakes until now. I know what I’m going to be making for dessert tonight!
P.S. I hate to be the one to point it out, but “chocolate” is spelled a bit differently in the first photo of the post. =X
Jessica replied: — February 25th, 2013 @ 10:54 am
Whhhattt? Don’t you know all the cool kids are spelling it Chocoalte now? Well…it’s either that or my editing software doesn’t have spell check.
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction — February 22, 2013 @ 4:50 pm
This is one mug cake that I can get on board with! Chocolate and peanut butter is the best!
Marcie@FlavortheMoments — February 22, 2013 @ 6:30 pm
OK, I’ll try this one. I’ve stayed away from all of those mug cakes until now!
Whitney @ The Newlywed Chefs — February 22, 2013 @ 7:54 pm
Jessica, this cake looks out of this world! Can’t wait to try this one- we’ve never attempted a mug cake before. Yummm!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel — February 22, 2013 @ 8:28 pm
I’ve been so skeptical of mug cakes that I’ve yet to try it yet but I may just have to now!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. — February 22, 2013 @ 9:43 pm
Yes! I have disliked mug cakes for the same reason. I’m most definitely giving this one a try!
Julie @ Table for Two — February 22, 2013 @ 10:02 pm
SOOOO I had a HUGE chocolate craving 15 minutes ago while I was going through my Google Reader and your post came up and I literally grabbed my phone and went into the kitchen and made this. I ate it so fast. I’ve never had a mug cake in my entire life and you have made me a believer. I don’t think I’ll ever add the egg in because I don’t like spongy textured cakes all too much. ANYWAY, long story short – you are amazing, I love you, and thank you for filling my chocolate craving. That was seriously the best thing I ate this week. I’m hooked. I probably will be making way more of these and adapting them with flavors haha
xoxo
Jessica replied: — February 25th, 2013 @ 11:24 am
YAYYY!! It’s always SO nice to hear that someone else liked it too. Were you all kinds of nervous when the cake like almost blew up and then shrank back down? Cause the first two times I was convinced it was going to explode in my microwave…
haha
Kitty — February 23, 2013 @ 4:30 am
I am having my monthly chocolate cravings… and now binge. Thanks Jessica!
shelly (cookies and cups) — February 23, 2013 @ 8:07 am
This. Making. Tonight.
Agos — February 23, 2013 @ 9:41 am
I just made this for breakfast and it was so good! The only mug cake I’ve tried that had a real cake texture. Although the flavor was too peanut buttery, I almost couldn’t taste the chocolate. Do you think the peanut butter could be replaced with something else?
Jessica replied: — February 25th, 2013 @ 11:25 am
Sure! You can replace it with something like Nutella for a more chocolate flavor or one of the cookie spreads like Biscoff!
Al linder — February 23, 2013 @ 1:33 pm
Guess i did not stir enough. Was just a lot of flour. Will try agin.
Megan {Country Cleaver} — February 23, 2013 @ 3:43 pm
I’m with Julie – I’ve been on a chocolate kick and this totally came up at the Exact right moment – I’m on my way to make it now!! I mean it!
Hope @ Hanna Bananas Boutique — February 24, 2013 @ 12:33 am
My daughter is going to love doing this!
This is on the menu for girls things to do this weekend! Thanks for sharing, this is awesome!
Tina | My Life as a Mrs — February 24, 2013 @ 4:45 pm
I’m with ya on the mug cake debacle… daggum it – now I’m gonna have to try these (I had written off mug cakes all together lol)
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts — February 24, 2013 @ 8:43 pm
I am with you – mug cakes are always spongy, and just off. But dang, now I am going to have to re think everything!
Lauren — February 25, 2013 @ 12:02 am
You KILL ME with these!! Holy moly.
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leslie — February 25, 2013 @ 8:02 am
YES…they are all too spongy!!! Love that you solved the mystery!
Sues — February 25, 2013 @ 10:43 am
How pretty are these?? Seriously beautiful. And I NEED those mugs!!! (and one of these cakes in front of my face right now!!)
Karly — February 25, 2013 @ 2:14 pm
I haven’t tried the mug cakes before…I’ve always imagined they’d be spongy! Glad to hear you’ve figured out a way around it so I can enjoy one of these bad boys!
Jenn — February 26, 2013 @ 2:30 pm
Just made one of these, but didn’t have peanut butter on hand, so I totally used Biscoff spread….immensely tasty and worked perfectly!
Lauren — February 26, 2013 @ 5:36 pm
Hi Jessica, your pictures are gorgeous! I just came here from Foodgawker, and I love mug cakes, so this is right up my alley! I love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, so I’ll definitely have to try this out!
Mug Recipes — February 27, 2013 @ 8:58 am
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Pocket Pittie in the City — February 27, 2013 @ 7:46 pm
NOM NOM NOM…we made these and they were nom nom nommy!!! I would totally make them again. Though I’m such a peanut butter-aholic that I may up the PB! So gooooood!
ErinsFoodFiles — February 28, 2013 @ 2:04 pm
Oh yum! I shall definitely be trying this!! Thanks for the link back too.
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies — March 1, 2013 @ 2:25 pm
Mug cakes are the ultimate dessert of desperation, right?
I’m glad to finally have a recipe in my mug cake arsenal that tastes as good as it looks–I can’t wait to try it!
Victoria V — March 1, 2013 @ 4:53 pm
Just made this for a snack today. So tasty! And I loooove that there’s no egg in it. Thanks for the tasty recipe!
Jessica replied: — March 4th, 2013 @ 1:18 pm
Yay! So glad you liked it!!
Kate — March 1, 2013 @ 10:35 pm
This recipe is dangerous. I’m a student trying to fight off late-night, carb-filled snacks. Guess whose plan just got derailed?
Some modifications people could try:
Natural peanut butter instead of the “normal” stuff
Honey in place of some of the sugar
Applesauce or baby food prunes in place of some of the oil
Vanilla!
Cinnamon?
Whipped cream or icing or vanilla Greek frozen yogurt on top
Jen — March 2, 2013 @ 8:17 pm
Where can I get the mugs?
Jessica replied: — March 4th, 2013 @ 1:17 pm
They are from World Market.
Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats — March 4, 2013 @ 8:21 pm
oh my goodness..I committed to a sugar free march…its crazy and I don’t know what I was thinking..Im dyiiing…I have been seeing sweets everyday..(obviously) but this one makes me want to break my promise immediately..chocolate always gets me worst at night…maybe I can make it and start over tomorrow..is that cheating?! Again, What was I thinking?! I can’t wait for this month to be over to try this!! “Pinning!” (Im totally saying that in my best Charlie Sheen voice..nerd alert, I know!) hah
Melissa — March 5, 2013 @ 8:22 pm
I just made this mug cake for both my boyfriend and I and it is amazing! I am actually a dietetic intern right now and I think that this is a great idea for people who would like a treat once in a while, but cannot have a whole cake in the house(or they eat the whole thing!).
I’m all for healthy eating, but we all need a treat once in a while
Awesome! Thank you for the great recipe!
Angie @ Big Bear's Wife — March 6, 2013 @ 11:35 am
Nice! I’ve made a few mug cakes before and I too hated the sponge cake texture. It was like… ehh… ok.. another fail. But this post makes total sense! I’ll be trying this soon!
Angie @ Big Bear's Wife — March 6, 2013 @ 11:36 am
ooo and PS.. I AM in LOVE with those mugs! Like I need that orange poka dot one in my life right now. please tell me where you got them
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Marilyn — March 9, 2013 @ 6:51 pm
Just made this & it turned out great! I used crunchy peanut butter. Topped it with cool whip. Yummy! Thanks!
Kelli — March 11, 2013 @ 9:13 pm
You are a miracle worker! This is by far the most amazing mug cake (possibly cake in general?) that I have ever had. I decided to treat myself for being good today and wow! You made my week. The texture was heaven and there were a few not quite done spots that tasted like melted chocolate chips! Ah!
In case anyone wants to know….
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 491
Total Fat: 29.4g
Carbs: 52.6g
Fiber: 3.1g
Protein: 9g
(just what i got plugging it in to my calorie counter)
Coming from a health nut, TOTALLY with it.
Peanut Butter Spread — March 12, 2013 @ 6:42 am
This chocolate peanut butter mug cake looks absolutely mouthwatering. Thanks for the amazing recipe.
Joyce — March 19, 2013 @ 6:29 pm
what if i dont have a microwave?? does that mean i cant make it?? :O can I use the oven instead??
Jessica replied: — March 20th, 2013 @ 11:37 am
Sorry Joyce, but no it won’t work in the oven. It is specifically made for the microwave!
Lipi — March 21, 2013 @ 11:09 pm
You are a genius! My earlier mug cake attempt had failed with a super spongy cake (obviously with egg). I tried your eggless recipe right now and the result is delicious! Thank you so much
high altitude — March 24, 2013 @ 9:57 pm
Not bad at all! I’m at a mile high altitude, and it didn’t even fall!
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Leira Carola — March 30, 2013 @ 6:35 pm
I will try it with Nutella instead of Peanut Butter.
Liane Blanco — April 6, 2013 @ 12:18 am
This is pretty good! I left mine in a few seconds too long – better to leave some gooeyness, I think (is gooeyness a word?)
Anyway, delicious! Thank you for the recipe. Next time I’m going to add walnuts – super yummy!
Stephanie Forman — April 11, 2013 @ 10:00 pm
did you use all-purpose or self-rising flour?
Jessica replied: — April 12th, 2013 @ 7:20 pm
All Purpose Flour!
Sarah — April 12, 2013 @ 9:45 am
I love this! definitely the best mug cake I’ve had. I substituted the milk for almond milk since we were out of regular and it worked just fine. This will be my go to mug cake from now on
Carolina — April 25, 2013 @ 5:20 pm
This was, hands down, the BEST mug cake I have ever made. It was so soft and peanut buttery! Lol The only change I made was that I used chocolate syrup instead of powder(because I was out.) And it may have made it a bit gooier than with powder,but it was still delicious! Other mug cakes end up tasting like a flavored sponge–but not this one! I think I have found a new blog to follow because if your other recipes are HALF as good as this one then I will not be dissappointed!
Carolina (:
SuziRoo — April 26, 2013 @ 1:50 am
I made a few adjustments: rice milk and powdered honey instead of sugar. I also added PB chips. My result was okay. Next time I think I’ll stick with sugar and add chocolate chips instead.
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Kayla — May 2, 2013 @ 9:06 am
I could make a simpler peanut butter cake
Kayla — May 2, 2013 @ 9:07 am
Netlle much better than peanut butter
Heather — May 2, 2013 @ 7:34 pm
Just made this and it was SO good! Loved the peanut butter and the fact that it didn’t use an egg. Best mug cake ever and totally satisfied my craving although I think it might be a bad thing that I now have this recipe and all of the ingredients on hand!
Jessica replied: — May 6th, 2013 @ 2:50 pm
Awesome! So glad to hear it!
Heather — May 4, 2013 @ 8:23 pm
This was awesome and it’ll be my go-to recipe any time I have a chocolate craving! Even more amazing is that it’s ready in under 5 minutes. I used Nutella because I was out of peanut butter and can’t wait to try it again with PB. Thanks for sharing this!
Geenuhfuh — May 5, 2013 @ 12:41 am
This may just be the most amazing thing I have ever made and eaten in less than five minutes. Incredibly delicious with walnuts!
Alex — May 5, 2013 @ 8:03 pm
Do you need to make this in the microwave? Can you use an oven instead?
Jessica replied: — May 6th, 2013 @ 2:50 pm
Sorry Alex, but no it won’t work in the oven. It is specifically made for the microwave!
Kirsten — May 9, 2013 @ 11:11 pm
That was delicious and worked perfectly. I made it with chunky peanut butter so I would feel like it had some kind of chips in it. Yum. Do you know of any good plain chocolate mug cake recipes? My daughter doesn’t like nuts or nut butters and she wants to try a mug cake soon.
Jessica replied: — May 13th, 2013 @ 10:12 am
How does she feel about Nutella? If you added Nutella instead of peanut butter, it would just be a lot more chocolatey!
You could also probably leave out a butter completely, it just might be a little more dry. If it is, add in a splash more oil!
Let me know how it turns out if you try something different!
Anne M — May 10, 2013 @ 7:48 pm
This looks good but I have real issues with microwaves and won’t have one in my house – can it be baked in a regular oven?
Jessica replied: — May 13th, 2013 @ 10:08 am
Sorry Anne, but the recipe was specifically made for the microwave. You are more than welcome to try it in the oven, but I have no idea how it would come out.
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