This chocolate pumpkin mug cake is rich, chocolatey, loaded with pumpkin flavor - and ready in 5 minutes! Oh, and it's vegan friendly and oil free too.
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I debated whether to call this recipe a chocolate pumpkin mug cake or a pumpkin mug brownie. I landed on mug cake, but you can call it whatever you like. 😉
I had been obsessed with the Instructables eggless mug brownie for a few weeks, but with two tablespoons of oil in each serving, I just had to break up with it.
In the spirit of Fall, I thought a pumpkin inspired mug cake would be delicious, and wondered if maybe I could shave some calories off of that brownie recipe by using pumpkin instead of oil.
Well, after a few tries it finally worked!
But I wouldn't exactly call this a healthy recipe. It's a dessert, after all. But it is healthy-ish, which means it's at least a little healthier than a traditional brownies.
This pumpkin dessert is both vegan and oil-free. But you won't miss any of the flavor - the richness is replaced with pumpkiny-ness. (Sure, that's a word now!)
And if that's not good enough for you, well, I threw in some dark chocolate chips for you too.
What You'll Need
Alright, let's make a delicious pumpkin mug brownie! You will need the following ingredients - all simple things that you probably have in the pantry:
- sugar
- flour
- pumpkin puree
- non-dairy milk
- cocoa powder
- dark chocolate chips
- pumpkin pie spice
- salt
Making the Pumpkin Mug Cake - Step by Step
Then it's time to get baking! Do we still call it baking, if it's done in the microwave? Let's pretend we do.
Combine all the ingredients in a big oversized mug. I used a latte mug, because they tend to be really big.
If you don't have, one you can use a small bowl instead. I won't tell anyone that you made your mug cake in a bowl.
Unlike traditional mug cakes, this one doesn't rise very much, so it won't make a mess in the microwave.
Stir the ingredients together. It will be thick and a little bit hard to stir, but be persistent and stir until everything is well combined.
Microwave the mug cake until the top is dry. It takes a minute and a half in my microwave, but I'd check after one minute and cook 15 seconds at a time after that.
At this point, your chocolate pumpkin mug cake is ready to eat. But it's not the prettiest thing, I admit. So I topped with some dairy free vanilla ice cream and a sprinkle of extra pumpkin pie spice!
That's better, right?
This pumpkin mug brownie is best shared. It's pretty decadent, y'all. If you don't share it, you'll probably regret it in a few minutes. Believe me, I speak from experience.
Tips & Tricks
I've used both vanilla soymilk and unflavored Silk coconut milk in this recipe, with good results. Of course, if you are not concerned with keeping the recipe vegan, regular milk works just fine.
You can also replace the dark chocolate chips with caramel chips or white chocolate chips for a new spin on this mug cake.
If you prefer a sugar-free version, you can use stevia or a bit of agave syrup instead.
I topped mine with ice cream, but you can also try topping your mug cake with coconut flakes or chopped nuts. Yum!
More Mug Cakes
And if you love this pumpkin mug cake, be sure to check out these other tasty ideas:
Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup white sugar (organic for vegan-friendly)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp pumpkin puree either homemade or canned
- 2 tbsp non-dairy milk such as almond milk
- 1 tbsp dark chocolate chips
- ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice plus extra for garnish
- a pinch of salt
- vanilla ice cream optional, for serving
Instructions
- Stir together all ingredients in a latte mug or small bowl.
- Microwave for 1 minute; continue to microwave at 15 second intervals until top of brownie is dry.
- Top with ice cream and extra pumpkin pie spice before serving, if desired.
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Share. You're funny. This looks too good to share!
Johanna says
I don't have a microwave oven. Can you bake them?
Kiersten says
I haven't tried it, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. Try baking it at 350 degrees. I'd check it after 8 minutes to see how it's progressing and maybe every 2-3 minutes after that. Let me know how it works out if you try it!
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
Ok... I think you've just saved me. I have a friend who is allergic to dairy and I have had a tough time figuring out what to serve her for dessert over Thanksgiving.
HilLesha says
Yummy!
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. says
oh i am loving this one! Great looking and sounding!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
That just couldn't be easier and sound yummier!
Jeanette says
I love the way you presented the ingredients - so clever. As for your pumpkin mug brownie, what a treat that is - I know my kids would love it!
shelly (cookies and cups) says
I love love this!! And the post is just gorgeous...love your ingredient list!
Stephanie says
haha Thanks for the healthier version of this mug cake no matter how it looks. Personally, I think it looks like cake in a mug!
Kiersten says
There are some things that just don't photograph very well--mug brownies are one of them! 😉
JulieD says
I love this soo cute!!! I love all of your pictures, Kiersten! So creative!!
Tamara says
Can't wait to try this! I don't use a microwave though. Would it come out as good if I put it in ramekins and put it in the oven?
Kiersten says
I haven't tried it, but I think it should work! Try it at 350 degrees; I'm guessing it would maybe take 10-15 minutes to bake (but I'd check it after 8 minutes or so and then every few minutes after that).
Lauren says
This looks delicious! I don't like to use a microwave....have you tried baking it?
Kiersten says
I haven't tried baking it, but I imagine it would work. I'd try it at 350 degrees; I'm not sure how long it would take, but I'd probably check it at 8 minutes or so and then every 3 minutes after that? If you make it, let me know how it turns out!
[email protected] says
Wow! That looks like a great recipe!
I was thinking of making something sweet with pumpkin recently. You gave me a great idea!
I will sub cocoa with carob powder though. Can't wait to try it))
Kiersten says
I think that would work too! 🙂
Jackie @ The Beeroness says
Love this. I bet it would be amazing with coconut milk.
Vicki says
Looks yummy! Not like poop! haha Saving this for later 🙂
Kiersten says
Well, this version looks more brownie-like, but the first one I made definitely looked unappetizing!
Jennifer The Quirky Momma says
Can you believe I don't own a microwave? Something tells me this would not work in a toaster oven, though ; )
Kiersten says
I think it would! Or a regular oven. A few people have said they're going to try it that way, so we'll see. 🙂
Alison says
I am so going to be trying this! Sounds so easy! 🙂
Courtney Rae Jones says
Ooooo, dear. This looks yummmmmy! 🙂
Natalie says
Love the idea of using pumpkin instead! I've never tried the mug cake thing but I never have cravings for cake - I guess that's a good thing!
Kiersten says
My husband doesn't like cake either. He'll eat it, but he'll never order it or choose to have it over something else. I think I could stand to like it a little bit less!
Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking says
Okay this is a recipe that I need to make this week!! It looks so delicious!!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
I used to make microwave cakes ALL THE TIME as a kid, but I'm sure they didn't turn out like this!
Kiersten says
Yeah, I used to make all kinds of kitchen experiments when I was a kid. Like little balls of rolled up bread with grated Parmesan cheese and butter in the middle...
Amanda Rose says
Looks yummy!
TastefullyJulie says
I have a standby mug cake recipe that I go to when I NEED something sweet. I love that yours uses pumpkin. One time I just forgot the oil altogether and it was still pretty good! i'm thinking applesauce might work, now that I'm - um - dieting?
Kiersten says
Yeah, I think applesauce would work just fine too! I like it much better without the oil. The original is really good, but I always felt a little sick after eating it all. I mean, after splitting it with my husband. That's what I meant!
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says
I don't have a microwave (my choice) but every now and then I do miss being able to cook something tasty fast 😛 And Ice Cream does make everything taste better.
Kiersten says
I don't know what I'd do without my microwave. I'm probably a little too reliant on it, especially when it comes to lunches!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
I have never made a mug cake....looks sinfully delicious topped with ice cream!