Healthy Mocha Mug Cake with 17g Protein (249 Kcal)

Some days we just need chocolate. Some days we just need coffee. And most days we just need both, that’s why this healthy mocha mug cake is the solution!

This mocha mug cake is the quick-fix dessert you’ve always wanted.

It is healthy, high protein, gluten-free and vegan-friendly. What is more, this microwave protein cake comes together in just 5 minutes!

I’ve been quite obsessed with protein mug cakes lately. That’s why after making my protein blueberry mug cake, I decided to turn one of my favorite drinks into a cake. Mocha mug cake!

What is mocha actually?

This may surprise you but I’m not a huge fan of coffee. Growing up in Italy, everybody would look at me with astonishment when I said that I only like coffee with chocolate. Yes, you heard it right. Even if at the time I didn’t know about mocha, I was already making my own version. And I still do it! My favorite energy-booster treat is coffee with melted chocolate.

But was is mocha actually? For those who still don’t know it – as I did not until recently – mocha is just a latte with chocolate.

Preparing mocha at home is as simple as making a normal espresso before pouring in steamed milk and chocolate (syrup). Such a simple and delicious beverage, I promise that you will fall in love with this healthy mocha mug cake! 

Protein mug cake ingredients

You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this healthy mocha mug cake in the microwave.

Banana – replace with 2 tbsp applesauce or yogurt.

Oat flour – you can prepare this recipe with store bought or homemade oat flour. To make oat flour at home, add rolled oats to your blender and process until smooth. 

Replace oat flour with flour of choice.

Protein powder – both vegan and whey protein can be used in this mocha mug cake recipe. However, I recommend vegan protein powder because heating whey protein makes the cake quite dry.

Replace protein powder with more oat flour or almond flour.

Maple syrup – replace with your sweetener of choice, best if it is a liquid sweetener. Alternatives are honey, agave syrup, date syrup or sugar-free sweetener alternatives (such as fiber syrup, erythritol, xylitol or stevia).

Pinch salt – a must for delicious brownies, its function is to enhance the taste and balance the sweetness.

Milk of choice – this recipe uses unsweetened plant milk. Replace with your favorite milk, nondairy or dairy.

Mocha coffee

For the mocha coffee, we need to melt the chocolate in hot brewed coffee. Here’s all you need:

Brewed coffee – use espresso or americano coffee (decaf if required).

Dark chocolate – for baking I like using 70% dark chocolate. Replace with your favorite chocolate (also dairy chocolate works).

Optional

For a more satisfying mocha mug cake, add 1 to 2 tsp chocolate chips to the batter. And if you are lucky to find them, top with your protein cake with mocha beans!

How to make protein mocha mug cake

To make this protein mocha mug cake, you will first need to make brewed coffee. When it is ready, melt dark chocolate in your hot coffee.

Add now to a microwave safe mug mashed banana, oat flour, protein powder, maple syrup, baking powder and pinch salt. Pour in milk, mocha coffee and stir to combine.
If you desire, stir in chocolate chips.

Microwave for 1 minute 30 seconds to 3 minute. Stop, wait and restart the microwave if the oats flood while cooking. As an alternative you can also bake this protein mug cake in hot oven at 180 Cº (350 Fº) for 15 to 20 minutes.