Try making this easy Mug Brownie Recipe! It's a deliciously chocolate, gooey, and rich single-serve brownie that can be made in less than 2 minutes. The perfect sweet treat in a hurry.
If you're craving more sweet and delicious brownie recipes, then be sure to also try making some Fudgy Brownies or a batch of Fudgy Mint Brownies.

Want a sweet treat all to yourself that doesn't take a long amount of time to prepare or require a bunch of ingredients?
I've got you with this recipe for a microwave mug brownie. It's been a favorite of mine for a while. Last year I shared a video of me making it on Instagram and it's one of the most saved posts on my feed. I've heard from so many people that it's the most delicious gooey brownie in a mug.
Be sure to give it a try or save it for later when you need to treat yo self in the future.
Let's get started!
Ingredients You'll Need
- All-Purpose Flour - Plain all-purpose flour is needed to form the base of the brownie and allow it to become thick and chewy. Be sure to use plain flour with no other added ingredients.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder - The main ingredient in any good brownie recipe. Helps to make the brownie chewy and loaded with chocolate flavor. Use high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for the best results.
- Granulated Sugar - Use plain white granulated sugar or cane sugar to sweeten the microwave mug brownie. You may adjust the amount of sugar or use a sugar substitute if you prefer.
- Large Egg - A single large egg is all that is needed. This helps to bind the ingredients together and give the recipe a creamy richness.
- Vegetable Oil - Vegetable oil, canola oil, or any neutral-flavored oil will work to keep the brownie moist. Coconut oil could be used as a substitute.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.
Easy Mug Brownie Instructions
Begin the recipe by grabbing your favorite heavy ceramic mug. Add the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and unsweetened cocoa powder. Whisk (stir) to combine the dry ingredients.
Add the wet ingredients, the large egg, and vegetable oil. Stir to combine all of the ingredients together, but try not to overmix.
Place the mug brownie into the microwave and cook for about 1 minute. Keep in mind microwaves may vary and the cooking time may need to be adjusted. After 1 minute, check the mug and microwave for an additional 10 seconds at a time, until the brownie is slightly spongy but still gooey.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Carefully remove the brownie in a mug from the microwave and allow it to sit for 1 to 2 minutes before serving. Serve warm and top with chopped walnuts and dark chocolate chips if you prefer. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- You may adjust the amount of sugar or use a sugar substitute if you prefer. Brown sugar may also be used if you prefer.
- Stir in some finely chopped walnuts or pecans to the brownie mixture before placing it into the microwave.
- Try not to overmix the brownie mixture or you may end up with a tough brownie that is dry and chewy.
- Lightly beat the egg in a separate small bowl for easier mixing.
- Melted butter can be substituted instead of using vegetable oil.
- The brownie will rise during baking, but as it cools it will settle and reduce in size, this is normal.
- Top the finished warm brownie with a scoop of your favorite ice cream, some chocolate chips, or even some peanut butter.
Is it safe to cook a brownie in the microwave?
Yes, this recipe is perfectly safe. The egg is combined with the other ingredients and will cook thoroughly in the microwave. It is fine to cook this single brownie in a microwave-safe mug or bowl.
Keep in mind that microwaves can vary, so it's best to cook the mug brownie for 1 minute and then in 10-second increments until done. The brownie is done when it has slightly risen and is no longer raw in the middle, but still gooey.
Can you overcook a brownie in a mug with egg?
Yes, you sure can.
You will know the brownie has been overcooked if it is completely dry and tough. The best way to avoid this from happening is by cooking the brownie for 1 minute before checking. Cook for an additional 10 seconds at a time, checking each time until done.
Want More Delicious Chocolate Recipes? Try These:
- Chocolate Delight Recipe
- Chocolate Sour Cream Pound Cake
- 9 Layer Chocolate Cake
- Chocolate Fondue Dessert Board
- Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Have any comments, questions, or other fun and delicious ways to enjoy this Easy Brownie in a Mug Recipe? Please share them in the comment section listed below!
📖 Recipe
Mug Brownie Recipe
Equipment
- 1 microwave
- 1 mug
- 1 spoon
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Begin the recipe by grabbing your favorite standard-size mug. Add 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, 4 tablespoons granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder. Whisk (stir) to combine the dry ingredients together.
- Add 1 large egg and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Stir to combine all of the ingredients together, but try not to overmix.
- Place the mug brownie into the microwave and cook for about 1 minute. Keep in mind microwaves may vary and the cooking time may need to be adjusted. After 1 minute, check the mug and microwave for an additional 10 seconds at a time, until the brownie is slightly spongy but still gooey.
- Carefully remove the brownie from the microwave and allow it to sit for 1 to 2 minutes before serving. Serve warm and top with chopped walnuts and chocolate chips if you prefer. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- You may adjust the amount of sugar or use a sugar substitute if you prefer. Brown sugar may also be used if you prefer.
- Stir in some finely chopped walnuts or pecans to the brownie mixture before placing it into the microwave.
- Try not the overmix the brownie mixture or you may end up with a brownie that is dry and tough.
- Lightly beat the egg in a separate small bowl for easier mixing.
- Melted butter can be substituted instead of using vegetable oil.
- The brownie will rise during baking, but as it cools it will settle and reduce in size, this is normal.
- Top the finished brownie with a scoop of your favorite ice cream, some chocolate chips, or even some peanut butter.
Original post date 02/14/2020. Updated 02/08/2023 and 03/12/2025.
Cym says
I’m a brownie connoisseur. Your recipe was on Google search at number five. I’m so glad you were the fifth. I’ve had the pleasure of indulging in your mug brownie! Exceptional my dear! Thank you! Went as directed adding a tablespoon of chopped walnuts* personal favorite * thank you for being my lucky number five!
LaKita says
Thank you and I'm happy that I was lucky recipe number five for you! I appreciate you giving the recipe a try and sharing your experience. Plus adding walnuts sounds amazing 🙂
Brittany says
This is so delicious! Easiest recipe I have found and by far the best! I topped mine with a bit of reddi whip and that was a great ice cream substitute. Thanks for this recipe ❤️
LaKita says
Thank you so much Brittany! Glad to hear that you enjoyed the recipe and topped with reddi whip sounds perfect 🙂
Melinda says
I've learned from experience that I never like mug cakes with egg - they come out too cake-y for me, and sometimes even tasting like egg. So I substituted with flax egg this time. The flavor of the brownie was perfect! Texture was great too, but also a bit too oily.... I would rate it 4/5, but because I used the flax egg I don't know how much they will have messed with things so I don't want to give it a REAL rating. 🙂
But thank you for the yummy treat!
LaKita says
Thank you so much for your feedback Melinda!
Meghan Caissie says
This is my go-to mug brownie recipe! It's easy and simple and that's what I want in a quick recipe. I've looked at others that call for sifting flour and cocoa powder and have seven or eight ingredients and multiple steps and teaspoons and half tablespoons... Nah. This is easy and I love that it's just a mug, a tablespoon, and a spoon to mix!
I do reduce the sugar to 1 tablespoon but that's entirely so I can pour tooth-achingly-sweet caramel sauce on top and I like a less sweet base to offset that.
I make this brownie mug recipe one night and save the second half for the next night and it reheats wonderfully the next day.
LaKita says
Thank you so much Meghan! Happy to hear. Also, caramel sauce sounds perfect!!!!
Asia says
Thank you for those! I finally found a brownie mug recipe that I actually liked. I actually enjoyed this one and ate the entire thing, unfortunately all of the other ones ended up in the trash. I substituted cocoa powder for brownie mix, but kept everything else the same including measurements. This was delicious, thank you again!
LaKita says
So glad to heat that you enjoyed this recipe!