Sometimes you need chocolate in a hurry. For example, for an impromptu celebration. Or to revive your spirits . Or because it is Wednesday.
Umm, today is Wednesday.
I’m here to tell you that choclate any day is a wonderful thing. Chocolate and cocoa powder are rich in cell-protecting antioxidants–natural compounds found in fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts–minerals, and natural mood boosters like theobromine and phenylethylamine. And you thought it was all in your head.
The trick is to get all those great benefits without a truckload of sugar and fat. Yes, you can eat a square or two of dark chocolate, but you can also treat yourself to warm, rich, chocolate cake. That’s good for you. And takes a minute to make. And comes in under 200 calories.
Pinch yourself; you are not dreaming.
All that you need are flaxseed meal, cocoa powder, an egg, a drizzle of vanilla, a splash of milk, and a wee bit of sugar.
I prefer to use natural cocoa powder rather than Dutch process. Dutch process cocoa powder is treated with alkali to remove bitterness and give it a milder flavor. Unfortunately, it also strips the cocoa powder of it’s many antioxidants. Forget that. I prefer the flavor of natural cocoa powder anyway. which delivers a deep, true chocolate flavor. The packaging should state whether it is Dutch process or not, but you can also tell the difference by sight: if it is dark to almost black, it is Dutch process; natural cocoa powder is much lighter and is typically brownish red in color.
If you are willing, add a teaspoon or two of chocolate chips. You’re welcome.
Happy Wednesday!
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1-Minute Chocolate Cake (gluten-free, good-for-you)
- Cook Time: 1 min
- Total Time: 1 min
- Yield: 1 1x
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Pin RecipeIngredients
- 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
- 5 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- pinch of fine sea salt
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons milk or nondairy milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk the flaxseed meal, cocoa powder, syrup, baking powder, and salt. Add the egg, milk and vanilla, mixing until well-blended.
- Spray a coffee mug or ramekin with nonstick cooking spray; spoon in batter.
- Microwave on regular HIGH setting in microwave for 35 to 40 seconds until just set at center. Serve warm or cool completely.
- Category: Dessert
Nutrition
- Serving Size: entire recipe
- Calories: 199
- Fat: 11 g
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 11 g
WOW!! I have a finicky nine-year-old, and she needs much more fiber in her diet. She just told me that this is the best she’s ever had, and is finishing up an entire serving. Thank you thank you thank you thank you. One quick question though, Cocoa package (Girardhelli) says each tablespoon has 1 g of fiber, so in my calculation with 2 tablespoons of flax meal at 4 g of fiber, would this end up 9 g fiber?
I will double check, thanks Michele! So glad you and your daughter enjoyed it! 🙂
Thank you so much for this recipe, I just tried it with some home-made coconut butter on the side!
Do I have to use milk? Can i just cut that out all together?
You can try, Tanisha, but I have no idea how it will turn out. You would need to replace the milk with water, at the very least.
Sounds great. Can i leave out the flaxseed? What protein powder do i susbsitute it with if essential? Tnx
I am not sure about subs for this one–you may have to play around with combinations, Sara.
I haven’t tried this yet..but I just devoured the flax muffin in a mug..I never knew that flax cooked so well in the microwave. Delicious..I can’t wait to try this one with the added cocoa 🙂 Thank you for the wonderful recipies
I came across your 2 min flaxseed muffin today. I’m not keen on the flavour of flaxseed so I’m leaving it for my husband to try when home. Then,going in search of something sweeter I found this recipe. Genius idea making muffins in a mug!
I added a whole small banana and 2 teaspoons of powdered stevia…it is almost sweet enough for my sweet tooth now! Super idea! Glad I came across your blog 🙂
Can you use an oven instead of a microwave?
Sure. Perhaps 350 for 15 to 18 minutes.
Oh glory. I can not begin to describe… I am on a low-carb high-fat high-protein diet, came across your site looking for decent fuel for my long trail runs (I’ve bookmarked almost every energy bar recipe!). When I saw this recipe, orchestral music started playing and the sun emerged in all its golden glory from behind a dark grey cloud (actually it’s still raining here in Cape Town but i think the music was for real…). I raced downstairs… Two minutes later (literally) I was eating my first chocolate cake in over a year. Brilliant. Absolutely,awesomely, marvellously brilliant. My new favourite thing. Thank you.
i Love this dessert..and so does my husband…he asks me to make it all the time!
Thanks for a great recipe
Tricia! I am right with you, and your husband! I have made this for breakfast on more than one occasion 🙂
My husband and I went from 90% processed food to 99% whole foods in the last two months. It has been quite a learning experience. My kitchen has not been clean since. A small price to pay for our health. One think I have really missed is my single serving brownie that I could mix up when I needed to give myself a bit of a treat. I can’t wait to try this recipe! Thanks so much for posting 🙂
That is amazing Meghan! So true about cooking from scratch– a lot more dirty dishes and dirty everything 😉 better clean inside than out! Hope you enjoy the mug cake/brownie– sometimes a healthy hit of chocolate can turn everything around for the better. Even more so when it is warm chocolate!
raspberry and dark chocolate?!!! Plus red wine? you are killing me, Hugh!
Ok this recipe is the best and worst thing ever lol I love it but I hate that I have made six and none left… raspberry and dark chocolate went well with red wine tonight… twice lol so much for a diet.
That means so much, JoAnn 😉
Can’t wait try this……..love all your creative recipes!!
Ooh, I was thinking about trying it with protein powder–thanks for experimenting, Hugh! and mashed banana with walnuts sounds like perfection to me! 🙂
I just noticed this one—this would be a great after school snack for a ravenous boy. Keep it up with these mug recipe, I love them.
i don’t keep sweets in my house, as they won’t keep.. ugh hence the diet, but i saw this on a friends post. I left out the sugar and the vanilla extract and mixed a scoop of protein powder into my milk before mixing… omg… amazing… umm but now i just made another with a mashed banana and walnuts… you created a monster… thanks a lot lol….
Hi Tanya! Regular Hersheys and Nestle are natural cocoa powder–I know that Hersheys also has a Duth process, but it is clearly marked as such (I think it’s in a silver container). As long as it is not marked Dutch process, it is natural 🙂
This sounds great! Is there a certain brand of cocoa powder you use? You mentioned “Natural”, so I was just wondering if Hershey’s is okay or if another brand would be healthier/better.