Vegan brownies in a mug are the absolute easiest thing to make. This easy vegan brownie is rich and fudgy and delicious! Make with plant-milk, they are dairy and egg-free too. Scroll to the bottom for a cute valentine craft and printable.
I first started making mug cakes way back in the day when I was in college. My mom used to send me little kits – or prepackaged individual cakes and brownies. The idea was that you tossed the dry ingredients in a microwave-safe cup or bowl, and then add water, vanilla, and oil and you had cake!
What a treat that was for a poor college student like me! Do keep scrolling for a really cute idea I had an idea that would a fun Valentine gift for your college student, BFF, or workmate too! Here is a little preview:
There will be directions and a downloadable printable below. This would be a really cute little gift for someone special who needs a little love:)
Ingredients Needed for this Brownie Mug Recipe:
To make these vegan brownies in a mug, you will need:
- The Dry Ingredients:
- flour
- unsweetened cocoa powder
- brown sugar
- salt
- ground cinnamon
- vegan chocolate chips (affiliate link)
- The Wet Ingredients:
- almond milk – or plant milk of choice
- white vinegar
- vanilla extract
- oil such as avocado, corn, or coconut oil – I have also used vegan melted butter
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Are Brownies in a Mug Vegan?
The difference is that back in the day, when my mom would make her “Cake Kits”, she used an angel food cake mix as part of the dry ingredients because an angel food cake mix contained egg whites. We don’t do that if we are making a vegan cake or brownie though.
It took me many trials and errors to get a vegan mug cake just right. This vegan brownie in a mug is the first one that I’m sharing with you!
What Kind of Mugs Should I Use for Mug Cake or Brownie?
- The most important factor to consider is that the mug should be microwave safe! It seems obvious, but do make sure. A mug that is not meant for the microwave may get very hot to handle, yet not allow the inner contents to properly cook. It might also break, causing damage to your microwave.
- The next important factor to consider is that your mug should probably be a boring plain white mug. I have found, through experimentation, that the cute colored mugs just don’t heat as consistently. I think the color must either absorb or reflect the heat. Feel free to experiment with your colored mugs. I just can’t guarantee the cooking time.
- Finally, size matters. Your mug should be no larger than 14 ounces, and no smaller than 10 ounces. These are the mugs I use for all my mug cakes (affiliate link).
How to Make Vegan Brownies in a Mug:
You can either mix everything together in separate bowls and then carefully pour the mixed ingredients into the mug before microwaving, or you can just go ahead and mix things up in the mug. This is part of the fun in my opinion!
If you choose to mix your brownie in the mug, it’s important that you carefully clean the sides of the mug with a paper towel before microwaving.
Otherwise, the cup will look really messy! Unless you don’t care…you are eating a brownie in a mug and maybe these things just don’t matter!
It will still taste fabulous!
The Dry Ingredients
Start with the dry ingredients. Make sure that the cocoa powder and brown sugar have been thoroughly broken up and mixed until everything is quite powdery looking. Then go ahead and add in the chocolate chips.
Are chocolate chips vegan?
They can be, even if they aren’t labeled vegan. Read the back of the package and make sure yours do not include dairy. I can not guarantee that the sugar used is vegan though. I like to use these dairy-free chocolate chips I buy on Amazon. Mini chips are the perfect size for these single size servings of brownies.
The Wet Ingredients:
You can either choose to just dump them in the mug and mix well or do as I did and mix the wet ingredients together in a bowl first and then dump them into the mug with the dry ingredients. It is less messy this way – but the flavor and texture will be the same either way.
Why Vinegar in the Brownies?
You know, it’s just my little special touch that makes the texture and flavor better. It’s like buttermilk pancakes vs regular pancakes. It’s just a different flavor and texture. Adding the vinegar with the milk works the same as adding buttermilk….mostly.
The Special Finishing Touches:
I sprinkle a few chocolate chips and these vegan sprinkles on top just for fun!
How Long do I Microwave the Brownie Mug?
This is a tricky one because not all microwaves cook the same. I microwave for 90 seconds. The mug brownie will be done when it is no longer wet on top and is somewhat firm to the touch. You can always put it back in for 10-second increments up to about 30 seconds. Don’t overcook though or your brownie will be too dry. This brownie pictured below needs to cook a little longer:
Serving Suggestion?
Top with some vegan ice cream of course! Eat while still warm and the ice cream will get nice and melty. Yum!
The Valentine Craft/Gift:
I thought it would be super cute to make a little valentine’s gift for some of my sweet friends. 
- I mixed the dry ingredients in each mug,
- wrapped each in the valentine treat bags you can get at any store this time of year,
- made some cute tags with instructions to make the brownie mug,
- backed them with colored card stock,
- and then tied it off in raffia ribbon which I found on Amazon.
Here is a printable PDF with the instructions you can print and cut out:
Brownie Points for You Valentine!
Either print on card stock or print on regular paper and glue to colored card stock.
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The Recipe For Vegan Brownie in a Mug:
Please read the notes in the recipe card if you want to make the dry ingredients for six mug brownies at the same time.
I hope you enjoy the recipe, but don’t say good-bye! Sign-up here for recipe tips and kitchen wisdom. I also invite you to email me with any questions you have. When you become a part of the Veggie Fun Kitchen Community, you’ll learn to cook great tasting recipes the whole family will enjoy! (No spam here! I will never share your email, and you can unsubscribe whenever you want!)
Vegan Brownie in a Mug
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons flour
- 2½ Tablespoons brown sugar packed
- 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt use less if desired
- 2 Tablespoon vegan chocolate chips more for sprinkling on top
Wet Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons plant milk of choice
- 3/4 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ Tablespoons vegetable oil like melted coconut, avocado, or corn
Instructions
- In a 12-14 ounce microwave-safe mug, mix together dry ingredients: flour, brown sugar, cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, salt, vegan chocolate chips. Set aside
- In a separate small bowl, measure out the plant milk. Pour the vinegar and vanilla into it and then the oil.
- Give the liquids a stir and pour all at once into the mug with dry ingredients. Mix well, ensuring the dry ingredients from the bottom of the mug are well incorporated.
- Put in a microwave. Microwave times will vary. Heat on high for about 90 seconds till the top is no longer shiny and wet. If you need to microwave longer, do it in 10-second increments.
- Allow cooling slightly before eating. Top with sprinkles, or vegan vanilla ice cream.
Making this today!