A decadent chocolate cake for one bakes up spongy and light in the microwave! This tasty Protein Mug Cake is a calorie splurge, but the addition of chocolate protein powder means that it is super satisfying in more than one way.
Why This Protein Mug Cake Recipe is So Good
- It's a Really Delicious Cake - I've had protein powder mug cake made with just protein powder and eggs, and they're really not that good. My recipe uses protein powder, but also almond flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and vanilla to ensure that this cake is as delicious as it can possibly be.
- Light and Fluffy Texture - a few secret ingredients (ok, it's baking powder and cornstarch) ensure that this mug cake microwaves into a fluffy, soft, airy cake.
- Egg Free Recipe - This cake is gluten-free (check your ingredients!), egg-free, and vegan.
- You Can Eat Protein Mug Cake for Breakfast - With around 25g of protein (or however much is in your favorite protein powder mix), you can feel good about microwaving this decadent chocolate cake and eating it as a filling breakfast.
- Cake in 5 Minutes! It takes about a minute to microwave the cake, and a couple of minutes to measure and mix the ingredients.
Tips and Tricks for Making The Best Protein Mug Cake
To ensure that your cake is gluten-free and/or vegan, you just need to make sure that your protein powder and other ingredients are that way! Use your favorite brand of protein powder that you already know meets your needs, or check the labels while you're shopping.
Any protein powder will work. Chocolate protein powder usually includes cocoa powder, so it works well in this recipe, but you can also use vanilla, coconut, or any other flavor you have. You can experiment with different brands if you like, as some will have a stronger "protein" flavor than others.
Know your microwave wattage. It takes 60-90 seconds to make a mug cake in a 1000-watt microwave but could take up to 2 minutes in a less powerful one. If your microwave is a higher wattage you may need less time.
Add Mix-Ins like peanut butter chips, shredded coconut, or walnuts if you like.
Add Frosting! Your favorite prepared frosting or a mini batch of vegan cream cheese frosting can be added to the cake after it's cooled down a bit.
If you want to make a mug cake without protein powder in it, check out my Vegan Chocolate Mug Cake recipe. It's very similar to this one! You might also like my Vegan Mug Brownie recipe, or this one I found for a keto mug cake.
Double, triple, or quadruple the recipe! If you'd like to make up a mix of the dry ingredients so that it's quicker to make the mug cake next time, feel free. More details are in the next paragraph!
Protein Powder Mug Cake Mix
The total amount of dry ingredients for one serving should be ⅓ cup, so you can multiply the dry ingredients in the recipe by any number, store the mixture in an airtight container, and then measure out ⅓ cup to make a single cake.
Mix ⅓ cup of the dry ingredient mixture with the listed wet ingredients and you're ready to go!
Be sure to mix the dry ingredients well before measuring, as they may settle during storage.
More Delicious Dessert Recipes
We have tons of amazing gluten-free and vegan dessert recipes here for you to choose from! These are a few of my favorites:
Yay! You have made it this far, and I am so glad! Hey - If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and Facebook, too!
Protein Mug Cake
Equipment
- Large Microwave-safe Mug at least 12 ounces
- Small Whisk or fork
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons almond flour
- 2 tablespoons chocolate protein powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar or coconut sugar
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon oil
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons chocolate chips divided
Instructions
- In a large mug, whisk the almond flour, protein powder, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and baking powder together.
- Add the oil, almond milk, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir to combine.
- Stir in half of the chocolate chips just until combined.
- Top with remaining chocolate chips, then microwave for 60-90 seconds.
- Let your mug cake cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- The microwave instructions in this recipe are based on a 1000-watt microwave. If your microwave has more power, it may take less time to cook. If you have a microwave with lower wattage, it could take up to 2 minutes to cook the mug cake.
- Be sure to use a large mug to make this recipe. It should be at least 12 ounces, and the cake batter shouldn't fill the mug more than halfway.
- Feel free to use different protein powder flavors. Other types of milk will also work just fine here.
Nutrition
All though this website attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, the information should only be considered an estimate. Varying factors such as different product types, different brands, etc. can change nutritional information. It is your responsibility as a consumer to read all labels to make sure the ingredients fit your dietary needs as well as calculate your own nutritional information as a double check.
Thank you for this delicious recipe! So quick and easy to make - I will definitely be making lots of these 🙂