Easy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cake: Less than 5 Minutes!

Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Microwavable Cake
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Microwavable Cake

I love a quick and easy sweet treat that only takes minutes to make. Many years ago, I discovered microwavable cakes. I couldn’t believe I could make a homemade dessert in minutes for one person. Since then, I have made and created so many different versions depending on what I have available in my pantry and what I’m craving at that moment. In this post, I’m sharing one of my favorite variations… a Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Microwavable Cake.

Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cake Ingredients

butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, milk, all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, chocolate chips, caramel topping, salt, and chocolate shavings or chips
butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, milk, all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, chocolate chips, caramel topping, salt, and chocolate shavings or chips

For the chocolate chip cake ingredients, you’ll need butter or coconut oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, milk of any kind, I used my homemade almond milk, all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, and chocolate chips. For the salted caramel topping, you’ll also need caramel sauce or dulce de leche, I used my homemade dulce de leche sauce, flake or coarse salt, chocolate chips or shavings, & optional ice cream for extra indulgence.

My Little Inspiration

You’ll notice that the ingredients resemble those typically found in a homemade chocolate chip cookie. Since that’s my favorite dessert, that was my inspiration in this microwavable cake variation. When I want a chocolate chip cookie and want it fast, this is what I make. Let’s check it out!

Prepare Bowl or Mug

First, grease a small (240 milliliters – 500 milliliters / ¼-½ quart) microwavable-safe dish or coffee mug with butter or cooking spray and spread it around the dish. For this post, I used a small microwavable-safe glass dish so you can see the process but use whatever you have.

1. grease a microwavable-safe coffee mug
1. grease a microwavable-safe coffee mug
2. or microwavable dish
2. or microwavable dish

Combine Ingredients

Stir Wet Ingredients

In a small bowl, add 15 grams (1 tablespoon) of butter or coconut oil and melt it completely in the microwave ~20-30 seconds. It’s best to use a solid fat here instead of oil; I find that oil makes the cake dense and leaves an off flavor. Stir in 14 grams (1 tablespoon) of granulated sugar, 14 grams (1 tablespoon packed) brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 42 milliliters (3 tablespoons) of milk (of any kind). I used my homemade almond milk here. Whisk or stir until well blended.

1. 15 g (1 tbsp) butter or coconut oil
1. 15 g (1 tbsp) butter or coconut oil
5. ¼ tsp vanilla extract
5. ¼ tsp vanilla extract
2. melt ~20 seconds in microwave
2. melt ~20 seconds in microwave
6. 42 ml (3 tbsp) milk, any kind
6. 42 ml (3 tbsp) milk, any kind
3. 14 g (1 tbsp) granulated sugar
3. 14 g (1 tbsp) granulated sugar
7. whisk or stir until well blended
7. whisk or stir until well blended
4. 14 g (1 tbsp packed) brown sugar
4. 14 g (1 tbsp packed) brown sugar

Whisk in Dry Ingredients

Add 45 grams (¼ cup + 1 tablespoon) of all-purpose flour, ⅛ teaspoon of salt, and ⅛ teaspoon of baking powder. Whisk to stir well.

1. 45 g (¼ cup + 1 tbsp) all-purpose flour
1. 45 g (¼ cup + 1 tbsp) all-purpose flour
4. whisk or stir until combined
2. ⅛ tsp salt
2. ⅛ tsp salt
5. should resemble cake batter
5. should resemble cake batter
3. ⅛ tsp baking powder
3. ⅛ tsp baking powder

Fold in Chocolate Chips

Fold in 1½-2 tablespoons of chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips (minis provide a milder chocolate flavor). I used regular size chocolate chips for a burst of chocolate flavor.

TIP: If using a coffee mug, after greasing the dish, add all the remaining ingredients and stir or whisk until well blended. There’s no need to dirty any extra dishes; one mug is all you really need.

1. 1½-2 tbsp chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips
1. 1½-2 tbsp chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips
2. stir until mixed
2. stir until mixed

Bake in Microwave

If mixing the ingredients in a separate dish, spoon mixture into greased baking dish or coffee mug and spread the mixture out evenly. Bake the dessert on high in the microwave for 1:20.

TIP: If mixing everything in a mug, simply eliminate this step and place the mug in the microwave.

1. If transferring to another dish, scoop the mixture into the prepared dish
1. If transferring to another dish, scoop the mixture into the prepared dish
2. smooth out the top
2. smooth out the top
3. ready for the microwave
3. ready for the microwave

Done!

Remove the baking dish or coffee mug from the microwave. Allow the cake to cool ~1- 2 minutes.

easy & simple chocolate chip cake without toppings
easy & simple chocolate chip cake without toppings

Add Toppings

Top with a dollop of ice cream or whipped cream. Then drizzle with some smooth caramel or dulce de leche. Sprinkle coarse salt over the top along with additional chocolate chips or shaved chocolate and enjoy!

1.  add a dollop of ice cream or whipped topping
1. add a dollop of ice cream or whipped topping
2. drizzle on some caramel or dulce de leche
2. drizzle on some caramel or dulce de leche
3. sprinkle on some flaked salt
3. sprinkle on some flaked salt
4. add shaved chocolate or chocolate chips
4. add shaved chocolate or chocolate chips
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cake with the indulgent toppings
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cake with the indulgent toppings
Picture Worthy 😋 Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cake
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cake after a bit (or 2 😉)

Storage Suggestions

You should be able to eat the single serving delight in one serving; however, you can cover the dish or mug and store it in the fridge for up to several days. When ready to eat, eat it cold or reheat it for 30 seconds in the microwave if you want it warmed.

Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cake Final Thoughts

This super easy dessert can be so elegant when you add the indulgent toppings. However, if you just want something truly no fuss, forget the toppings and just make the cake. I have done that many times to satisfy my sweet tooth. It’s super easy and quick!

Baker’s Perspective

I love that you can make this fresh anytime you want a homemade dessert. You can even make single servings for multiple people. This no-fuss, one dish dessert can be made simple or turned into magnificence with the additional toppings!

Taster’s Perspective

If you have a sweet tooth, this dessert hits the spot. It’s fresh and made in no time. The chocolate chips add a burst of chocolate. Molasses is detectable from the brown sugar like you expect from a chocolate chip cookie. The cake is not dense, but not super light like an oven-baked cake with eggs. The texture is soft. While hot, the ice cream oozes down through the crevices adding a pleasing cool dairy component. The flake salt provides a crunchy texture. The gooey caramel topping is the icing on the cake 😉. Yummy!

Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Microwavable Cake: Less than 5 Minutes!

This microwavable cake can be as simple as just the chocolate chip cake. Add the toppings for elegance and indulgence. The basic ingredients are many of those found in chocolate chip cookies but in quantities just right for a single serving, quick dessert. If you have a chocolate craving, this dessert hits the spot.
Prep Time3 minutes
Cook Time1 minute
Cooling Time1 minute
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chocolate chip cookie, chocolate chip cake, salted caramel dessert, quick dessert, easy cake, 5 minutes dessert
Servings: 1 serving
Author: Summer

Ingredients

Chocolate Chip Cake:

  • 15 g (1 tbsp) butter or coconut oil
  • 14 g (1 tbsp) granulated sugar
  • 14 g (1 tbsp packed) brown sugar
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  • 42 ml (3 tbsp) milk any kind
  • 45 g (¼ cup + 1 tbsp) all-purpose flour
  • tsp salt
  • tsp baking powder
  • 1½-2 tbsp chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips minis provide a milder chocolate flavor

Salted Caramel Topping

  • 2 tbsp caramel ice cream topping, homemade caramel sauce, dulce de leche, etc.
  • 1 tsp flake or coarse salt
  • 1 tbsp chocolate shavings or chocolate chips

Instructions

Make the Chocolate Chip Cake:

  • Grease a small (240 ml – 500 ml / ¼-½ quart) microwavable-safe dish or coffee mug with butter or cooking spray and spread it around the dish.
  • If mixing in a separate bowl, add butter or coconut oil to a small bowl and melt it completely in the microwave ~20-30 seconds. Stir in sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and milk until well blended.
  • Add flour, salt, and baking powder. Use a fork or small whisk to stir well.
    TIP: If mixing everything in a mug, a separate bowl is NOT needed to mix the ingredients. Simply mix all the ingredients in the greased mug.
  • Fold in chocolate chips. If mixing the ingredients in a separate bowl, spoon the mixture into the greased baking dish or mug and spread out the top evenly. Heat on high in the microwave for 1:20.
  • Remove the baking dish or coffee mug from the microwave. Allow the cake to cool ~1- 2 minutes. Add the following toppings, if desired, and enjoy.

Add the Toppings:

  • Top with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream. Then drizzle with a smooth caramel or dulce de leche. Sprinkle coarse salt over the top along with additional chocolate chips or shaved chocolate. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Storage Suggestions:
You should be able to eat the single serving delight in one serving; however, you can cover it and store it in the fridge for up to several days. When ready to eat, eat it cold or reheat it for 30 seconds in the microwave if you want it warmed.

Check out these other sweet treats.

5-Minute Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake (Microwavable)

Scottish Shortbread Cookies

Argentine Alfajores Sandwich Cookies

Czech Palačinky: Thin Sweet Pancakes

Chinese Almond Ginger Cookies

Angel Food Cake

Australian & New Zealand Pavlova

Coconut Flan: Gluten Free & Dairy Free

German Bienenstich Cake

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please share it. Check out my YouTube Channel as well to see videos of kitchen tips, blog bakes, and dishes.

Published by Summer

Bonjour! As a teacher of French and English to international students, amateur baker, traveler (having studied and lived in France), life-long learner, and a cycling and hiking enthusiast, I believe I’ve found my next adventure. I have many years of experience in all of these areas as well as having moved and lived all over the country (US that is). I’m fortunate to have in my camp PhD level experts in the fields of nutrition, dietetics, exercise physiology, and sports nutrition whom I can lean on for advice and scientific-based knowledge. I’m excited to piece all of these elements together during my journey to provide honest and accurate information as well as my own potentially disastrous first-hand experiences, without edit, to demonstrate the reality of a new journey. Please join me in learning something new, in laughing at my faults, and in appreciating all of the perceived differences in the world.