Warm, gooey, and ready in under 5 minutes—this Peanut Butter Chocolate Lava Mug Cake is the ultimate single-serving dessert. Whether you’re winding down after a long day or just need a sweet pick-me-up, this microwave mug cake hits the spot with its rich chocolate center.
Forget fancy equipment or long prep. All you need is a mug, a spoon, and a microwave. Let’s make dessert magic in minutes.
We are sharing tips to help you get the best results when making this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and printable recipe card.
⭐ Why You’ll Love this Recipe ⭐
Quick and Easy – No oven, no mess, no problem. You can make this in less time than it takes to preheat a traditional oven.
Perfect Portion – This makes one deliciously indulgent mug cake. No leftovers to tempt you later (unless you want them).
That Lava Center! – Each bite is packed with warm, melty chocolate and creamy peanut butter. It’s like your favorite candy bar turned into a cake.
Everyday Ingredients – You likely have everything on hand. If not, the substitutions are simple.
Customizable – Want to go gluten-free? Add protein powder? Toss in a few mini marshmallows? Go for it.
🧾 Ingredients
📌 Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with quantities and step-by-step instructions!
- All purpose flour
- Sugar
- Cocoa powder
- Instant coffee
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Butter
- Milk
- Egg
- Chocolate chips and Peanut butter chips, or whatever kind of chips you like.
🔪 How to Make Chocolate Lava Cake in a Mug
Stir all the dry ingredients together first to break up any clumps. Next, add the wet ingredients and mix until the batter is nice and smooth with no lumps. Divide the batter evenly between two mugs. Now, toss in your chocolate chips. I like using a mix of bittersweet chocolate and peanut butter chips—about a tablespoon total, but feel free to use more or less based on what you like.
Microwave for about 2 minutes. Keep in mind, the cooking time might vary depending on your microwave. In mine, 2 minutes cooks the cake all the way through, so there’s no gooey center. It’s still delicious, just not molten. Try starting with 90 seconds and adjust from there to get your perfect texture.
Let the mug cakes cool for about 30 seconds. You can eat them right from the mug (just be careful—they’re hot!) or flip them onto a plate if you want to serve them that way. I personally like the plate method best!
⭐ Tips for the Best Mug Cake ⭐
- Use a large mug (at least 12 oz) to avoid spillover.
- Don’t overmix or overcook—both can make your cake dry.
- Want a stronger chocolate flavor? Try adding a few drops of vanilla or a sprinkle of espresso powder.
- Swap the peanut butter chips for other flavored chips
More Delicious Recipes To Try
Chocolate Lava Mug Cake with Peanut Butter Chips
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons all purpose flour
- 4 Tablespoons sugar
- 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 Tablespoon instant coffee
- 1 pinch baking soda
- 1 pinch salt
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 3 Tablespoons milk
- 1 egg
- Chocolate chips and Peanut butter chips or whatever kind of chips you like.
Directions
- Mix the dry ingredients together, so that there are no big clumps.
- Then add in your wet ingredients. Mix it well so that there are no lumps in the batter. Pour the batter between 2 mugs. Then add in your chips. I personally like a bittersweet chocolate chip and peanut butter chips together. Add in about a tablespoon, but it is really personal preference
- Cook in the microwave for about 2 minutes. This will vary depending on your microwave. If I cook my cakes for 2 minutes in my size microwave there is no lava inside. It cooks all the way through. It still tastes super yummy it just isn’t gooey. You can start with 90 seconds and play with it from there.
- Let them sit for 30 seconds. Then you can enjoy them straight from the mug, it will be very hot. Or turn it over and slide it out on a plate, my preferred method.
Jenna Wood
You had me at peanut butter, then you added ‘molten’. I must have this now! Thanks for the serious chocolate craving!
SHELLEY R ZUREK
I am going to try this tonight with my mom!!
mel
That cake looks delicious!! So yummy!!!
CinnyBBS @Whirlwind of Surprises
That looks so good! Send some my way.
Lena
Oh, delishesness! I am gaining weight by just looking at it
Dede
My daughter was looking over my shoulder, saw the title, and said, “Try to say THAT 10 times fast!” LOL meanwhile, I was desperately trying to Pin this. Looks amazing, I think I heard the angels sing when the picture appeared on my screen.
Ari T.
Yum! I’m already craving chocolate now! Chocolate is even more scrumptious when you add peanut butter. It looks delicious, thanks for the applesauce tip.
Robin Wilson
At least I know I am not alone with the middle of the night cravings for sweets. I have heard of mug recipes, but never made one. This looks so great and with a big glass of cold milk. But I cannot have this during the night…even though I am sure it is relatively low-cal LOL!
Jennifer Medeiros
This looks so rich, my mouth is watering!
Lisa
That looks amazing
jewels
Do you possibly have an egg free method of doing this one
Debi
I do not. But I will see what I can find/ create for you.
Edited to add: I know banana can replace egg. 1/4 cup of banana will replace 1 egg. But I have not tried it myself.