Put that leftover Halloween pumpkin puree to use. If you don't have any, you'll want to go buy some right now because this will be worth it. You may even want this secretly easy, can't-even-tell-it-was-microwaved, chocolate-pumpkin mug cake recipe to become your Thanksgiving dessert.

Pumpkin carving, pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup, pumpkin everything... even pumpkin cheesecake bars. Pumpkin season isn't quite over, so let the pumpkin recipes continue. I came up with this recipe after skimming through a list of mug cake recipes, and decided to work with ingredients I already had in my kitchen.

pumpkin, chocolate, cake
Athena Huynh

It will only take you five minutes to make this chocolate pumpkin mug cake. This kitchen, dorm, and tummy-friendly recipe only requires basic ingredients (no fancy spices that you may use once and never again). I made my own pumpkin puree from pumpkin carving but pumpkin puree is easily bought in cans.

Chocolate-Pumpkin Mug Cake

  • Prep Time:4 mins
  • Cook Time:1 min 15 secs
  • Total Time:5 mins 15 secs
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 and 1/2 tablespoon pumpkin puree
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 tablespoons chocolate chips or as little or much as you desire
  • Icing or powdered sugar optional for decoration
milk, cream, sweet
Athena Huynh
  • Step 1

    Measure all the dry ingredients (flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cocoa powder, salt) into a microwave-safe mug, or fancy souffle dish if you wish to impress.

    coffee, chocolate, milk, cream, sweet
    Athena Huynh
  • Step 2

    Mix together the dry ingredients with a fork.

    chocolate, coffee, sweet, cream, milk
    Athena Huynh
  • Step 3

    Measure and add the pumpkin puree.

    chocolate, cream, sweet, coffee, dairy product, pudding
    Athena Huynh
  • Step 4

    Pour in the measured tablespoons of milk and mix gently with the fork until combined.

    coffee, cream, espresso, milk, cappuccino
    Athena Huynh
  • Step 5

    Gently fold your desired quantity of chocolate chips into the mixture with the fork (as a chocolate lover, I used 2 tablespoons).

    chocolate, milk, sweet, coffee, candy, cream
    Athena Huynh
  • Step 6

    Microwave at high for around 1 minute, 15 seconds.

    #SpoonTip: Using a microwave cover is recommended.

    sauce, chili
    Athena Huynh
  • Step 7

    Stick a toothpick down the middle of the cake to check if it has cooked through. If the toothpick pulls out clean, it's done. If not, put it back in the microwave for another 15 seconds, and repeat this step until it passes the toothpick check.

    chocolate, cake, cream, sweet
    Athena Huynh
  • Step 8

    Sprinkle desired quantity of icing or powdered sugar on top.

    chocolate, coffee, cream, cake, sweet, milk
    Athena Huynh
  • Step 9

    Dig in.

    chocolate, brownie, pudding, cake
    Athena Huynh

This chocolate-pumpkin mug cake was easy, quick, and cheap to make. The texture, unlike many mug cakes, was cake-like and fluffy as it raised very well. This took it from a lazy-for-yourself snack to a beautiful dessert that is worth serving.