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    Home » Recipes » Cakes & Cupcakes

    Protein Powder Mug Cake

    Published: Apr 5, 2022 · Modified: Mar 23, 2023 by brooke · This post may contain affiliate links · 15 Comments

    95 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    This quick and easy protein powder mug cake is healthy, loaded with protein, and tastes like a gooey piece of chocolate cake. Top with a little whip cream and some berries for a perfect little treat.

    protein powder mug cake topped with whip cream and fresh berries.

    Protein powder mug cake is the perfect way to get some added protein into your day while curbing that sweet tooth. It can easily be made gluten free or vegan depending on which protein, flour and egg you use.

    If you find yourself looking for some other healthier recipes you should also try my chocolate peanut butter protein shake. I love topping it with some of my easy almond coconut granola. Or you could try my banana carrot muffins, that are loaded with fruit and veggies.

    putting chocolate chips into the protein powder mug cake.

    WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS

    QUICK & EASY- This mug cake can be made in about 2-3 minutes time with just a little bit of mixing.

    LOADED WITH PROTEIN- You can find yourself extra full with with over 30 grams of protein.

    NO OVEN OR MIXING BOWLS REQUIRED- I love that all this takes is a large mug and a microwave to enjoy a delicious treat!

    INGREDIENT NOTES

    • Milk- I like to use cashew milk for this, but you are welcome to use whatever you prefer or have on hand.
    • Egg- I use one regular egg, or sometimes just egg whites, but flax egg can also be used to make it vegan.
    • Protein Powder- I always use Clean Simple Eats protein powder, which is a whey protein. Use whatever you like or have on hand.
    • Sugar- You can use any sugar or sugar substitute.
    • Flour- I use coconut flour for this, but most flours should be okay.
    • Chocolate Chips- Not necessary, but highly recommended.
    ingredients needed to make the protein powder mug cake

    STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

    STEP ONE: Wet Ingredients. In a microwave safe large mug or cereal bowl whisk together milk, egg and vanilla until blended.

    milk and egg
    dry ingredients

    STEP TWO: Dry Ingredients. Add protein powder, cocoa powder, sugar, flour, baking powder and salt and mix again until no large clumps are left. Add chocolate chips if desired.

    all mixed together
    chocolate chips added

    STEP THREE: Cook. Microwave for 50-60 seconds, depending on your microwave. I watch mine and stop it about 50 seconds, when it is starting to reach maximum height. You can put it back in for another 10 seconds, until just the top still looks a little wet in the middle. Allow to cool slightly.

    mug cake just after being cooked.

    EXPERT TIPS

    This can be made with all different flavors of protein powder. You can also add different extracts to give it a boost of flavors. 

    Feel free to add more or less sugar depending on how sweet your protein powder is and your preference. You can also sub in alternative sugars.

    When in doubt, err on the side of undercooking your mug cake. You don't want to dry it out and it will continue to cook and set as it cools.

    FAQ

    Can I use any type of protein powder?

    I used a whey protein, but most all should work. Just watch for any dietary restrictions when needed.

    Why did my mug cake overflow?

    It could be because your mug was too small to hold all the ingredients. Make sure that before cooking the mug is no more than half full with batter.

    Are mug cakes safe to eat?

    Yes! The egg and flour is fine being cooked in the microwave, just make sure that it isn't too gooey.

    top view of protein powder mug cake with a spoon inside.

    HOW TO STORE

    A protein powder mug cake is best eaten when fresh, the day of. If you want to save some, store it covered in the fridge, and then reheat in the microwave just until warm.

    OTHER CHOCOLATE RECIPES TO TRY

    Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Buttercream

    Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

    Double Chocolate Fudge Brownies

    For more yummy treats follow me on instagram @thesaltedsweets. And be sure to tag me and comment below if you make them and love them as much as I do. 

    Make sure to leave a star review below!

    protein powder mug cake with whip cream and berries.

    Protein Powder Mug Cake

    brooke
    This quick and easy protein powder mug cake is healthy, loaded with protein, and tastes like a gooey piece of chocolate cake. Top with a little whip cream and some berries for a perfect little treat.
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 minute min
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1
    Calories 328 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • ¼ cup milk I use cashew
    • 1 large egg can also use 46g egg whites or flax egg
    • splash of vanilla
    • 1 scoop protein powder (30ish grams) I use clean simple eats chocolate
    • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
    • 2 teaspoon sugar or sugar substitute
    • 1 tablespoon flour I use coconut flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • pinch of salt
    • 1 tablespoon chocolate chips optional

    Instructions
     

    • In a microwave safe large mug or cereal bowl whisk together milk, egg and vanilla until blended.
    • Add protein powder, cocoa powder, sugar, flour, baking powder and salt and mix again until no large clumps are left.
    • Top with chocolate chips if desired.
    • Microwave for 50-60 seconds, depending on your microwave. I watch mine and stop it about 50 seconds, when it is starting to reach maximum height. You can put it back in for another 10 seconds, until just the top still looks a little wet in the middle.
    • Allow to cool slightly before topping.

    Notes

    This can be made with all different flavors of protein powder. You can also add different extracts to give it a boost of flavors. 
    Feel free to add more or less sugar depending on how sweet your protein powder is and your preference.
    This can be made vegan or gluten free depending on what type of protein powder and flours that are used.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 328kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 30gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 195mgSodium: 325mgPotassium: 237mgFiber: 4gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 369IUCalcium: 227mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword mug cake, protein cake, protein mug cake
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amy Gerber

      April 05, 2022 at 7:46 pm

      How can I bake this if I don’t have a microwave?

      Reply
      • brooke

        April 05, 2022 at 8:06 pm

        I haven't tried it in the oven, but I would say 350 for about 10-14 minutes. Just make sure you do it in something oven safe and check it with a toothpick.

        Reply
    2. T. W.

      April 07, 2022 at 10:50 pm

      5 stars
      Soooo good! Thanks for sharing! It is also very entertaining to watch it grow in the mug:)

      Reply
      • brooke

        April 08, 2022 at 1:44 pm

        Thank You!! And I totally agree. Its crazy how much it grows!

        Reply
    3. Natalie

      September 18, 2022 at 3:59 pm

      5 stars
      So easy and SO GOOD. Adjusted for ingredients I had on hand: skim milk, Clean Simple Eats S'mores protein powder, omitted cocoa powder. Used self-rising flour and therefore omitted baking powder. Drizzled with runny almond butter, topped with blueberries and nonfat Redi Whip. Thanks for an easy treat, can't wait to try every variation I can think of!

      Reply
      • brooke

        September 18, 2022 at 4:05 pm

        I'm so glad you loved it!! Thanks for sharing how you changed it for others to see as well!

        Reply
    4. Kelly

      October 08, 2022 at 2:51 am

      5 stars
      The best protein mug cake I’ve tried!! My experience with mug cakes has been mediocre, at best. They’re too eggy, too dry, or too bland. These were perfect and decadent. We used Clean Simple Eats S’mores protein and Peanut butter chocolate protein powder. This will be made on repeat!

      Reply
    5. Kathy

      April 30, 2023 at 7:06 pm

      5 stars
      Brooke does it again! Delicious! Topped w some lite Cool whip, chocolate sprinkles and diced strawberries. This may be my new nightly treat!

      Reply
      • brooke

        May 01, 2023 at 6:00 pm

        Yay!! Its definitely a good staple for a nightly treat Thanks Kathy!

        Reply
    6. Laura

      May 05, 2023 at 2:29 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe! I have tried a few protein mug cakes and they were honestly inedible. This one was truly amazing and enjoyable! So filling and feels like a treat. Can’t wait to make it again!

      Reply
      • brooke

        May 06, 2023 at 9:23 am

        I am so happy to hear that!! Thank you so much for coming back to leave a review also!

        Reply
    7. Kim

      May 07, 2023 at 9:46 pm

      5 stars
      Exactly what I was looking for!! Used liquid egg white, and a mix of chocolate protein and bad athletics coconut- plus jet black cacoa powder! Only used one tablespoon of the jet black and no added sweetener. SO GOOD and with those adjustments closer to 200 cal and more room for toppings!

      Reply
      • brooke

        May 08, 2023 at 8:22 am

        Love those tweaks to make it even lighter! Thanks for coming back to review and share that!

        Reply
    8. DiBe

      May 16, 2023 at 7:21 am

      Do you think I could use Casein protein powder? It's sort of a different animal. It failed in a proven waffle recipe that I had previously used Whey protein in. I'm trying to duplicate a study that uses 40g of Casein before bedtime for older people to grow and heal muscle as they sleep...I hate to waste ingredients. I just can't drink it in a shake form...just awful!!! What do you think? Thank you.

      Reply
      • brooke

        May 16, 2023 at 8:15 am

        I sorry.. I haven't tried before, so I'm not sure.

        Reply

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