Brownie in a Mug

This recipe for Brownie in a Mug is better than food delivery (that’s too slow and expensive) and better than making an entire batch of brownies (too much cleanup and too many tempting leftovers)! Marcella DiLonardo of TheKitchn.com shares the recipe, plus tips on the best ingredients and swaps to keep on hand.

There are plenty of days when we’re fired up and eager to begin a baking project, but those moments don’t always line up with when our chocolate dessert cravings hit. More often than not, we start wanting a warm, fudgy homemade brownie right as we sit down to relax in front of the television, perfectly content to not move for the rest of the night.

Unfortunately, we can’t just snap our fingers and have a brownie appear. But this brownie in a mug recipe gets us pretty close — you’ll have a brownie in a mug in your hands in less than five minutes.

Tips for your best brownie in a mug

Mug size

This single-serving brownie is perfectly portioned for you and only you, which means you don’t have to worry about what to do with the rest of the pan. I recommend making it in an 8-ounce ceramic mug, which will ensure it will cook evenly in the microwave.

Key ingredients

This fudgy brownie recipe is made entirely out of pantry ingredients. Making it in a mug also means fewer ingredients, so even if you’re down to the last few tablespoons of sugar or flour, you can still whip this up.

Unsalted butter: The butter is first melted in the mug, swirled to coat the inside, then poured into a bowl to make the brownie batter. For a vegan version, use coconut oil.

Light brown sugar: Use light brown sugar for its caramel flavor from molasses. It will also give the brownie a chewier texture.

Whole milk or non-dairy milk: If you’re looking for a vegan treat, simply use your favorite dairy-free milk.

All-purpose flour: You only need 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour for this single-serve brownie.

Unsweetened cocoa powder: If you don’t have cocoa powder, you can use 2/3 ounce (20 grams) unsweetened chocolate, and reduce the butter by two teaspoons. Melt it with the butter, then proceed with the recipe as directed. You could also use chocolate chips or a sweetened bar of chocolate, but you’ll want to use less brown sugar to keep the brownie from tasting overly sweet.

Vanilla ice cream (optional): I enjoy my brownie in a mug with a little scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, as it melts into the warm brownie. Vegan ice cream would be equally as delicious.

Brownie in a Mug

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons whole milk or non-dairy milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• Pinch salt
• 1 tablespoon dark chocolate chips (optional)
• Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Directions:

1. Place 3 tablespoons butter in a large, microwave-safe mug. Microwave on high until fully melted, about 30 seconds. Swirl to coat the mug with melted butter, then pour the butter into a small bowl.
2. Add 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract to the bowl, and whisk until smooth. Add 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt, and stir until combined. Fold in 1 tablespoon chocolate chips if desired.
3. Scrape the batter back into the mug. Microwave on high for 1 minute and 15 seconds. The brownie is ready when the center is slightly gooey and the edges bounce back when pressed. If not ready, microwave for 15 seconds more. Top with ice cream and enjoy!

Recipe note: To make this vegan, use a non-dairy milk, vegan chocolate chips, and coconut oil instead of butter.

Marcella DiLonardo is a contributor to TheKitchn.com, a nationally known blog for people who love food and home cooking. Submit any comments or questions to editorial@thekitchn.com.

©2024 Apartment Therapy. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Want more than just a mug? Try the Decadent, One-Pan Skillet Brownie