Make Orange Chocolate Mug Cake

The combination of orange and chocolate is surprisingly delicious, which is why it finds its way into a wide variety of desserts. But if you want to whip up a tasty orange chocolate treat just for yourself, you don't have to bake an entire cake. A simple orange chocolate mug cake that you can prepare in the microwave allows you to indulge your craving whenever you want. A classic version uses an actual orange and chocolate chips for its distinctive flavor, but if you're in a hurry, orange juice and cocoa powder do the trick in an simplified version. For an ever richer option, though, trying adding a spoonful of mascarpone cheese to the mug cake for an even creamier treat.

Ingredients

Classic Orange Chocolate Mug Cake

• ½ small orange, end trimmed
• ¼ cup (31 g) all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons (18 g) almond flour
• 3 tablespoons (38 g) sugar
• 2 tablespoons (28 g) melted butter
• ¼ teaspoon (1 g) baking powder
• Pinch kosher salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 ½ tablespoons (16 g) dark chocolate chips
• Powdered sugar

Easy Orange Chocolate Mug Cake

• 4 tablespoons (31 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons (15 g) cocoa powder
• ¼ teaspoon (1 g) baking powder
• 2 tablespoons (25 g) sugar
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) orange juice
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) oil
• Orange peels, for garnish

Mascarpone Orange Chocolate Mug Cake

• ½ cup (63 g) all-purpose white flour
• 2 tablespoons (15 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons (25 g) sugar
• ¼ teaspoon (1 g) baking powder
• ⅛ teaspoon (1 g) salt
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) orange flavored olive oil
• 1 tablespoons (15 ml) vegetable oil
• ½ cup (118 ml) plus 1 tablespoon (15 ml) milk
• 1 tablespoon (15 g) mascarpone plus more for topping

Steps

Mixing Up Classic Orange Chocolate Mug Cake

1. Place the orange in a measuring cup and cover it with water. Set half of a small orange with the end trimmed in a glass measuring cup. Pour enough water over the orange so the cup is filled to the 1 cup (237 ml) mark.
   • Use a microwave-safe measuring cup that holds at least 1 pint (473 ml).
2. Microwave the orange until it’s soft and drain it. After you’ve covered the orange with water, cover the measuring cup loosely with plastic wrap. Heat the mixture in the microwave on high for 30 to 45 seconds, or until the orange is soft. Afterward, drain the water from the cup.
   • If the orange still isn’t soft after 45 seconds, heat it in 10 second intervals to avoid overheating it.
3. Chop the orange in a food processor and allow it to cool. After the orange is softened, place it in a food processor. Pulse it until the orange is finely chopped. Allow the orange to cool for 5 minutes.
4. Mix in the flours, sugar, butter, baking powder, salt, and egg. Once the orange is cooled, add ¼ cup (31 g) of all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons (18 g) of almond flour, 3 tablespoons (38 g) of sugar, 2 tablespoons (28 g) of melted butter, ¼ teaspoon (1 g) of baking powder, a pinch of kosher salt, and a large egg to the food processor. Pulse the mixture until it is fully blended.
   • You can use egg substitute in place of the egg if you prefer.
5. Pour the batter into a mug and stir in the chocolate chips. When the batter is fully blended, pour it into a microwave-safe mug. Add 1 ½ tablespoons (16 g) of dark chocolate chips to it, and gently stir them in.
   • You can substitute semisweet or milk chocolate chips for the dark chocolate if you prefer.
   • Be sure to use a mug that holds between 1 ¼ and 1 ½ cups (295 to 354 ml).
6. Microwave the cake until it is set. Place the mug with the batter in the microwave, and heat it on high for about 2 minutes.The cake will rise above the rim of the mug as it heats.
   • You can be sure that the cake is cooked through by inserting a toothpick into the center. It should come out just barely clean.
   • As the cake cools, it will sink back down into the mug.
7. Allow the cake to cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar. When the mug cake is finished heating, remove it from the microwave. Let it cool for 20 minutes before sprinkling some powdered sugar over it to garnish it.
   • If you like you can also garnish the cake with some chocolate chips or chocolate syrup.

Whipping Up Easy Chocolate Orange Mug Cake

1. Combine the dry ingredients. Add 4 tablespoons (31 g) of all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons (15 g) of cocoa powder, ¼ teaspoon (1 g) of baking powder, and 2 tablespoons (25 g) of sugar to a small bowl. Whisk the ingredients together well so they’re fully combined.
2. Mix in the wet ingredients. Once the dry ingredients are mixed, add a slightly beaten egg, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of orange juice, and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of oil. Whisk the mixture well until it is fully blended and there are no lumps.
   • Vegetable or canola oil work best for the mug cake.
3. Pour the batter into a mug and microwave until it’s firm. When the batter is completely mixed, pour it into a microwave safe mug. Heat it in the microwave on high for 3 minutes or until the cake is firm and set on top.
   • You can substitute a microwavable ramekin for the mug if you prefer.
4. Garnish the cake with orange peels. Once the mug cake is finished heating, remove it from the microwave. Sprinkle some orange peels on top for garnish, and serve it immediately.

Preparing Mascarpone Chocolate Orange Mug

1. Combine the dry ingredients. Add ½ cup (63 g) of all-purpose white flour, 2 tablespoons (15 g) of unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons (25 g) of sugar, ¼ teaspoon (1 g) of baking powder, and ⅛ teaspoon (1 g) of salt to a small bowl. Whisk them together until they’re fully mixed.
2. Mix in the oils and milk. Once the dry ingredients are combined, add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of orange flavored olive oil,1 tablespoon (15 ml) of vegetable oil, and ½ cup (118 ml) plus 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of milk. Blend the liquids in until a thick batter forms.
   • You can find orange flavored olive oil at a variety of health food, gourmet grocery, and natural grocery stores. You can also infuse the olive oil with orange flavor on your own.
   • If you don’t have orange flavored olive oil, you can use 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of vegetable oil and 2 to 3 drops of orange essence or a pinch of orange zest.
3. Pour the batter into the mug and top it with mascarpone. When the batter is fully mixed, pour it into a microwave-safe mug. Add 1 tablespoon (15 g) of mascarpone to the top, pushing it down with a spoon so it sinks into the batter.
4. Microwave the cake until the top is dry and springy. After you’ve add the mascarpone, place the mug in the microwave and heat it on high for 1 to 2 minutes. You’ll know the cake is done when the top appears dry and springy.
   • Start by microwaving the mug cake for just a minute. If it’s not done after you heat it, continue heating it in 15 seconds intervals until it’s done.
   • When the cake is finished, it’s normal for some of the center to be soft and melted.
5. Top the cake with additional mascarpone and serve. When the cake is finished, remove it from the microwave. Add a spoonful of mascarpone cheese to the top as garnish, and serve it while it’s still warm.
   • If you like, you can also drizzle some more of the orange flavored olive oil over the finished cake.

Things You’ll Need

Classic Orange Chocolate Mug Cake

• Glass measuring cup
• Plastic wrap
• Food processor
• 1 ¼ to 1 ½ cup (295 to 354 ml) microwave-safe mug
• Spoon

Easy Orange Chocolate Mug Cake

• Small bowl
• Whisk
• Microwave-safe mug

Mascarpone Orange Chocolate Mug Cake

• Small bowl
• Whisk
• Microwave-safe mug
• Spoon

Sources and Citations

See also

• Make Chocolate and Hazelnut Praline Cake
• Make Chocolate Macaroon Cake
• Make Cake in the Microwave
• Make Cake in a Mug
• Make a Chocolate Chip Cookie Birthday Cake
• Make a Chocolate Cake
• Make Red Velvet Cake
• Make Chocolate Molten Lava Cake
• Make a Simple Chocolate Cake
• Make a Black Forest Cake

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