The 3-Minute Miracle: Rich, Fudgy 3-Ingredient Chocolate Mug Cake

Meet your new favorite emergency dessert. The craving hits, and you are 3 minutes away from a warm, rich, and intensely chocolatey cake! This 3-ingredient mug cake is the ultimate solution for a single-serving indulgence with absolutely zero fuss and minimal cleanup.

The magic of this recipe is that it skips flour, sugar, and baking powder, relying instead on a quick chemical reaction and the rich base of a chocolate spread.

1. Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (like Nutella): 4 tablespoons. This provides the flavor, fat, and most of the sugar.
2. Egg: 1 large egg. This gives the cake its structure and rise.
3. All-Purpose Flour: 2 tablespoons. Just enough to bind it all together.

This is the fastest cake you will ever make!

1. Combine (1 Minute): Choose a large, microwave-safe mug (at least 12 oz) to prevent overflow. Add the chocolate spread, egg, and flour directly into the mug. Use a fork to mix everything thoroughly until you have a smooth, uniform batter. Make sure there are no pockets of dry flour.
2. Microwave (1-2 Minutes): Place the mug in the microwave. Cook on high for 60 to 90 seconds. The exact time depends on your microwave's wattage.
3. Pro Tip: Start at 60 seconds. The cake should puff up significantly and look set around the edges but may still look slightly moist in the center for that perfect fudgy texture. If the top still looks liquidy, cook for another 15 seconds. Do not overcook or it will become rubbery!
4. Rest & Serve (1 Minute): Carefully remove the hot mug. Let the cake rest for 1 minute—it will continue to set slightly. Grab a spoon and dive in!

While the core is only 3 ingredients, feel free to elevate your creation with these optional, quick add-ins before microwaving:

1. Texture: A sprinkle of mini chocolate chips or chopped walnuts on top.
2. Moisture: A splash (1/4 tsp) of vanilla extract.
3. Richness: A small dollop of peanut butter swirled into the center before cooking.

1. A dusting of powdered sugar.
2. A small scoop of vanilla ice cream.
3. A drizzle of extra chocolate spread.

Enjoy this sweet success!