Ready to make your own single-serving brownie in minutes? Follow these simple steps and get ready for a delicious treat!

1. Prepare Your Mug: Choose a microwave-safe mug that is large enough to hold the brownie as it rises slightly. A standard 10-12 ounce mug works perfectly. Lightly grease the inside of the mug with butter, oil, or cooking spray. This will prevent the brownie from sticking and make it easier to remove (though eating it straight from the mug is perfectly acceptable!).
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In your prepared mug, add the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Use a small whisk or a fork to thoroughly combine these dry ingredients. This step is important to ensure that the cocoa powder and baking powder are evenly distributed throughout the flour, preventing clumps and ensuring a consistent texture. Mixing the dry ingredients first also helps to aerate the flour slightly, contributing to a lighter brownie.
3. Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Pour the milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract into the mug with the dry ingredients. Using your whisk or fork, stir everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tougher brownie. Mix until the dry ingredients are just moistened and you have a smooth, slightly thick batter. A few small lumps are okay, but ensure there are no large pockets of dry flour remaining.
4. Add Chocolate Chips (Optional but Recommended): If you’re using chocolate chips, now is the time to gently fold them into the batter. Don’t stir too vigorously, just enough to distribute them evenly throughout the brownie batter. Reserving a few chocolate chips to sprinkle on top before microwaving is a great way to make your brownie look even more appealing.
5. Microwave to Perfection: Place your mug in the microwave and cook on high power for 60-90 seconds. Cooking times can vary slightly depending on your microwave’s wattage, the size and shape of your mug, and your desired level of doneness. Start with 60 seconds and check the brownie. It should look set around the edges and slightly gooey in the center. If it still looks very wet in the center, continue microwaving in 10-second intervals until it reaches your desired consistency. Be careful not to overcook the brownie, as it can become dry and rubbery. It’s better to slightly undercook it, as it will continue to set as it cools.
6. Cool and Enjoy: Carefully remove the mug from the microwave – it will be hot! Let the brownie cool for a minute or two in the mug. This allows it to set further and cool down enough to enjoy without burning your tongue. The aroma will be incredibly tempting at this point!
7. Optional Toppings: While the microwave brownie is delicious on its own, toppings can elevate it to the next level. Consider adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, fresh berries, chopped nuts, or even a dusting of cinnamon. Get creative and personalize your brownie to your liking!
8. Clean Up (Minimal!): The best part about this recipe, besides the incredible taste, is the minimal cleanup. You only used one mug and a whisk or fork! A quick rinse and you’re done. This makes it ideal for busy weeknights, dorm rooms, or anytime you want a delicious treat without the fuss.