Peanut Butter Lava Mug Cake Recipe

Peanut butter mug cake is the sweet escape you didn’t know your busy evenings were missing. A soft, gooey cake bursting with molten peanut butter at the center all made in the microwave in just minutes! This pure comfort treat is more than a dessert; it’s a warm hug in a mug.

Inspired by the cozy, heartwarming recipes on Rita’s blog, like her go-to Swamp Soup, this mug cake brings simplicity and joy to your kitchen. Rita’s family traditions often centered around quick but nourishing food, and this dessert was born out of one such memory of late-night cravings and warm, sweet satisfaction with minimal cleanup.

Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter Mug Cake

• Gooey center of peanut butter lava
• Ready in under 10 minutes
• Made with pantry staples
• No baking skills required
• Customizable with chocolate, banana, or oats
• A single-serve treat that’s both indulgent and portion-controlled

Peanut Butter Lava Mug Cake Recipe

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• Author: Rita
• Total Time: 6 minutes
• Yield: 1 mug cake 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A quick and gooey peanut butter lava mug cake made in minutes with pantry staples like flour, milk, and peanut butter—your perfect single-serve dessert fix.

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Ingredients

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1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon melted butter or coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon peanut butter

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Instructions

In a microwave-safe mug, mix together flour, baking powder, brown sugar, and salt.
Stir in milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and egg yolk until well combined.
Drop the peanut butter into the center of the batter and slightly press it down with a spoon.
Microwave on high for 55–70 seconds, checking the texture at the 55-second mark.
Let the cake cool for 2 minutes before serving for a safe and molten texture.
Enjoy warm, optionally with a scoop of ice cream or a drizzle of caramel.

Notes

Use smooth peanut butter for a lava effect; crunchy will offer texture but less goo.
For a dairy-free version, use almond or oat milk and coconut oil.
Don’t overcook—mug cakes dry out fast. Better to slightly undercook for gooey center.
You can prep dry ingredients ahead in jars for a grab-and-mix dessert anytime.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 minute
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Microwave
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 mug cake
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 16g
• Sodium: 170mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 110mg

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Mug Cake

What You Need

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 1 tbsp melted butter (or coconut oil)
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tbsp peanut butter (for the lava center)
• A pinch of salt

Feel free to check out similar pantry-friendly ideas like this Eggless Chocolate Soufflé for more inspiration.

Time to Cook Peanut Butter Mug Cake

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 minute
• Cool Time: 2 minutes
• Total Time: ~8 minutes

Steps to Make It

1. Mix the Dry Ingredients
   In a microwave-safe mug, whisk together flour, baking powder, brown sugar, and salt.
2. Add Wet Ingredients
   Stir in milk, melted butter, vanilla, and egg yolk. Mix until just combined—don’t overmix.
3. Insert the Lava
   Drop a spoonful of peanut butter into the center of the batter. Push it down slightly with a spoon.
4. Microwave Magic
   Microwave on high for 55-70 seconds. Start at 55 seconds and increase in 5-second bursts if needed. The top should look set but slightly soft in the center.
5. Cool and Enjoy
   Let it rest for 2 minutes (hot lava inside!) before diving in.

Make It Perfect

• Use smooth peanut butter for a molten effect. Crunchy will give you texture but less lava flow.
• Don’t overcook. A dry mug cake ruins the experience—better slightly under than over!
• Use a wide mug (at least 10 oz) so it doesn’t overflow.

Mix It Up

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake: Add a tsp of cocoa powder and top with chocolate chips.
• Banana Peanut Butter Version: Add 2 tbsp mashed ripe banana for a denser, richer bite.
• Protein Boost: Use a scoop of vanilla protein powder in place of 1 tbsp flour and reduce sugar.

For more ways to level-up classic treats, try this decadent Reese’s Cheesecake Delight!

Perfect Partners

• Glass of cold milk
• Scoop of vanilla ice cream
• Warm caramel drizzle
• Fresh banana slices
• Sprinkle of sea salt on top

Pair it with Refreshing Iced Coffee for a balanced pick-me-up!

Busy Day Hero

This peanut butter mug cake is perfect when you:

• Work late and need dessert pronto
• Want a single-serve, no-fuss sweet
• Have kids begging for something “fun”
• Just don’t want to do dishes

Work Ahead

You can pre-mix the dry ingredients in small jars or zip bags. Then, when the craving hits:

1. Dump into mug
2. Add wet ingredients
3. Microwave
4. Done!

Save Some For Later

These mug cakes are best fresh but you can:

• Refrigerate leftover batter for 24 hours
• Freeze peanut butter dollops to make “lava bombs”
• Microwave again for 15–20 seconds (don’t overdo it)

Everyone’s Happy

Kids love it. Grown-ups love it. It’s vegetarian, modifiable to be dairy-free, egg-free, or even gluten-free.

Speaking of alternatives, have you tried Rita’s Easy 3 Cheese Mac? It’s another hit for all ages.

Good For You Too

Not every dessert is this adaptable:

• Lower sugar? Sub stevia or monk fruit.
• Protein boost? Add Greek yogurt.
• Gluten-free? Use oat or almond flour.

It’s indulgence with options—a beautiful thing.

Easy Clean Up

All you need:

• 1 mug
• 1 spoon
• 1 minute
  And maybe your fingers to scoop the last bit of gooey peanut butter lava.

Switch It Up

Make a flavor twist every night of the week:

• Nutella lava
• Almond butter swirl
• Chocolate chip surprise
• Raspberry jam core
• Pumpkin spice (seasonal favorite!)

Conclusion for Peanut Butter Mug Cake

The peanut butter mug cake is more than a last-minute dessert—it’s the golden ticket to warm, molten joy. Whether you’re unwinding after a long day, sharing dessert with your little one, or sneaking in a midnight treat, this mug cake has your back.

If you loved this simple sweetness, you’ll also fall for Gooey Banana Chocolate Bars or the Ultimate Pecan Cobbler. Because desserts that feel like hugs are what Rita’s kitchen is all about.

FAQs for Peanut Butter Mug Cake

Happy cooking with Rita chef ❤️!