Microwave Brownie in a Mug

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When you want a warm, chocolaty treat in a hurry, this brownie in a mug recipe has you covered—fudgy, rich, and ready in minutes with minimal clean-up. No oven or mixing bowls necessary!

brownie in a mug with glass of milk

When summer is in full swing or the holidays roll around, and the house is buzzing with kids, friends, and all the wonderful chaos they bring, I’m all about baking big batches of sweets. But once the kids are back at school and it’s just Michael, the pups, and me, I definitely don’t need a whole tray of my favorite brownie recipe tempting me every time I walk through the kitchen! My go-to for those sudden chocolate cravings? A microwave brownie in a mug—the perfect dose of gooey, chocolaty goodness for one.

This brownie in a mug is everything you love about a delicious brownie, in single-serve form. Plus, clean-up couldn’t be simpler, with just one mug to wash. Enjoy it as-is, or top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

And if you’re a fan of quick and easy microwave desserts, be sure to try my chocolate chip cookie in a mug recipe—it’s another instant hit!

“I love a single serve brownie (and this one’s the best I’ve made). A little indulgent, but fewer calories than overdoing it with a whole tray!!”

Melody

What You’ll Need To Make A Brownie In A Mug

brownie in a mug ingredients
  • Butter: Melts with the chocolate chips to form the rich, gooey base of the brownie.
  • Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Bring deep chocolate flavor. For even more chocolate flavor and pockets of melty chocolate, sprinkle a few chocolate chips on top halfway through cooking.
  • Dark Brown Sugar: Sweetens the brownie and adds a bit of chew.
  • Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors with warm, aromatic notes.
  • Salt: Just a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness and bring out the chocolate flavor.
  • Egg Yolk: Adds richness and helps the brownie set up properly in the microwave.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Gives the brownie structure.
  • Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Melt the butter and chocolate. Put the butter and chocolate chips in a mug—an 8-ounce mug is ideal, but a bigger one works too. Microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring in between, until the chocolate is mostly melted, about 40 seconds total. (Melting the mixture in short bursts and stirring between intervals helps prevent the chocolate from scorching, which can give the brownie a bitter taste.) Using a small spoon, stir the mixture until the chocolate is melted and completely smooth.

stirring chocolate/butter mixture until smooth

Step 2: Add sugar and flavoring. Stir in the sugar, vanilla, and salt.

adding sugar, vanilla, and salt to chocolate mixture in mug

Step 3: Mix in the egg yolk. Add the egg yolk and stir until smooth. Just the yolk is used to keep the brownie rich and fudgy—using the whole egg would make it too rubbery or cakey in a single serving.

adding egg yolk to mug

Step 4: Stir in the flour. Add the flour to the mug and stir to combine. Stop stirring when the batter is smooth and shiny. Using a paper towel, wipe down the batter on the inside edges of the mug. Wiping down the inside of the mug keeps the top edges from burning and makes the finished brownie look prettier.

all ingredients combined in mug

Step 5: Microwave and serve. Microwave uncovered on high for 45 to 55 seconds, until the brownie is puffed and set. (If your microwave runs hotter or cooler, you may need to adjust the time.) Let it rest for 5 minutes (it will firm up a bit as it sits), then dig in straight from the mug!

Partially-eaten brownie in a mug.

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Brownie in a Mug

brownie in a mug with glass of milk

One cup, a few minutes, and a whole lot of warm, fudgy goodness—this easy brownie in a mug is the ultimate solo indulgence.

Servings: 1
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Minute
Total Time: 6 Minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons (packed) dark brown sugar
  • ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Place the butter and chocolate chips in a mug (an 8-ounce mug is the perfect size, but larger will work too) and melt in 20-second increments in the microwave, on high power, stirring in between, until the chocolate is mostly melted, about 40 seconds total. Using a small spoon, stir until completely smooth. Stir in the sugar, vanilla, and salt. Add the egg yolk and stir until smooth. Stir in the flour until smooth and shiny. Using a paper towel, wipe down the batter on the inside edges of the mug.
  2. Microwave, uncovered, on high power for 45 to 55 seconds until puffed and set. (You may need to adjust the time for less or more powerful microwaves.)
  3. Let the brownie rest for 5 minutes. Serve in the mug with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
  4. Note: If you'd like melty chocolate chips on top, as shown in the photo, microwave the mixture for 30 seconds, sprinkle on some chips, then finish cooking for 15 to 25 seconds more.

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Per serving (1 servings)
  • Calories: 567
  • Fat: 37 g
  • Saturated fat: 22 g
  • Carbohydrates: 58 g
  • Sugar: 36 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Sodium: 19 g
  • Cholesterol: 207 mg

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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Comments

  • I love a single serve brownie (and this one’s the best I’ve made). A little indulgent, but fewer calories than overdoing it with a whole tray!!

    • — Melody Kanstroom on May 20, 2025
    • Reply
  • I made this last evening, and we both enjoyed it, although it was a bit too sweet for my tastes. I found it took a bit more than the noted time to cook the brownie, and I stopped it when it was still sort of brownie-pudding consistency. I think that was at about 1 min & 15 seconds (our microwave works in 15 second increments).
    I may try to make again cutting the sugar, and see if I enjoy it more.
    It was easy to make.

    • — DONNA on February 16, 2025
    • Reply

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