Made with just 5 ingredients in 5 minutes, it's always a great time to enjoy these indulgent High-Protein Kodiak Mug Cakes! Each large mug cake boasts 20 grams of protein, or 10 grams per serving, making them a healthier dessert or tasty post-workout snack.
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Table of Contents
Marathon training has begun, so I am back on the hunt for satisfying high-protein snacks I can make in a snap (#momlife), and these chocolate Kodiak mug cakes fit the bill! Initially inspired by the Kodiak Flapjack Cups, my first iterations of this recipe arose on a busy work afternoon when hunting for a quick high-protein snack.
I just ran out of the cups but saw that I still had a half-open pack of the pancake mix on hand. After mixing it with maple syrup, almond milk, and chocolate chips, my new homemade afternoon protein snack was born. What you see here is my final recipe, with the amounts of sweetener and milk adjusted to perfection.
Note that the cups are hearty: each one makes a double serving. A full cup offers 20 grams of protein, but with it comes a hearty dose of carbs, so I also share tips below on increasing the protein content, boosting the single serving protein closer to 20 grams.
For more high-protein baking recipes, check out my Kodiak Cake Cookies, Oat Protein Cookies, Kodiak Protein Muffins, Protein Baked Oats, and Brownie Baked Oatmeal.
Why You'll Love Kodiak Cake in a Mug!
- Quick and Easy - With just 5 ingredients, a few simple steps, and 5 minutes of prep time, this healthier sweet treat is light-years faster than most baking recipes!
- Extra Chocolaty—My recipe reviewers unanimously agreed that these mug cakes are indulgent, rich, and chocolaty! They were surprised when I told them they were high protein and low sugar.
- High in Protein - Meet your protein goals and nourish your body with 10 grams of protein per serving (or 20 grams per full mug cake), making a better-for-you dessert or high-protein post-workout snack.
Ingredients
Kodiak Cakes Pancake Mix - Officially known as Kodiak Cakes Power Cakes Flapjack & Waffle Mix, this high-protein pancake mix is the star of this mug cake show. Use their original buttermilk flavor mix for the best results. You will need ½ cup.
Cocoa Powder - Use natural cocoa powder for a rich chocolaty flavor. For deeper dark chocolate notes, use dark chocolate cocoa powder.
Milk - Choose your preferred type of milk, such as dairy or plant-based milk. For extra protein you can also use filtered milk, such as Fairlife.
Maple Syrup - This ingredient sweetens the Kodiak cake recipe while keeping the total added processed sugar at bay (the pancake mix itself does contain a small amount of brown sugar).
Chocolate Chips - Opt for your favorite variety; semi-sweet, mini, and dark chocolate chips all work. You will need 1 ½ tablespoons of chips for the cakes and another tablespoon for the optional drizzle.
Oil - Such as coconut or canola oil. This is an optional ingredient used to make the chocolate drizzle.
How to Make Kodiak Mug Cakes
For the complete recipe and measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1: In a large microwave-safe mug, whisk together the Kodiak cake pancake mix and cocoa powder until well combined.
Step 2: Stir in the almond milk and maple syrup.
Step 3: Stir in the chocolate chips.
Step 4: Microwave the mug cake on high for 2-3 minutes or until risen and cooked through.
Step 5: If desired, make the optional chocolate drizzle by heating the chocolate and oil in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring between each interval, until smooth and melted. Drizzle the chocolate over the mugs and serve hot!
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Use a large mug. Since the Kodiak Cakes mix contains baking soda and other leavening agents to help them rise when cooked, you will need a mug that can accommodate the cakes as they expand. I recommend using at least a 12-ounce mug.
- Stir the dry ingredients well. Thoroughly mix the pancake mix with the cocoa powder before adding the wet ingredients for an even chocolate flavor.
- Cook until cooked through. Microwave strengths can vary, so cook the mug cake with Kodiak pancake mix until it is risen and cooked through. You will know it is done when a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. For weaker microwaves, you may need to add on extra cooking time in 30-second intervals.
Recipe Variations
- Smaller Mug Cakes: Each Kodiak cake mug cake is rather large and makes two servings. For smaller, single-serve cakes, split the recipe in two and divide it between two mugs. Cook on high for 1-2 minutes until cooked through and risen.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter: Make the chocolate protein mug cake as directed, topping it with your favorite drippy nut butter instead of chocolate drizzle.
- Mug Pancakes: For a breakfast-friendly version of this Kodiak mug cake recipe, omit the cocoa powder and chocolate chips, stirring in ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon instead. Top the cakes with maple syrup and your favorite pancake toppings, like a pat of butter, sliced bananas, peanut butter, or whipped cream.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy protein mug cakes hot with a drizzle of chocolate. You can also top them with sliced bananas, chopped strawberries or raspberries, or nut butter. For extra staying power, dollop them with a scoop of vanilla Greek yogurt. For a more indulgent touch, serve them topped with vanilla ice cream.
Storage Directions
- Refrigeration: Leftovers keep covered tightly wrapped with aluminum foil or plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Once the cake has cooled to room temperature, scoop it out of the mug and transfer it to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost the cake in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours until thawed.
FAQs
Yes! You can easily microwave Kodiak Cakes. The texture will be slightly different because the mix will be cooked with microwaves instead of induction heat, but the cakes can be similarly delicious.
Each whole mug cake makes two servings, together boasting 20 grams of protein. If you'd like a higher protein concentration, stir in a tablespoon or two of your favorite vanilla or unsweetened whey protein powder, use filtered milk (such as Fairlife), or top the cake with a large dollop of vanilla Greek yogurt.
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Tools Needed to Make This Recipe
- Coffee Mug
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Microwave
More Healthier Sweet Treat Recipes
- Dairy-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Fudgy Vegan Blondies
- Edible Brownie Batter
- Edible Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
Recipe Card
High-Protein Kodiak Mug Cakes
Ingredients
Kodiak Mug Cakes
- ½ cup Kodiak cake pancake mix plain
- 1 ½ tablespoons natural cocoa powder or dark chocolate cocoa powder
- ½ cup milk dairy or unsweetened plant milk
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave syrup
- 1 ½ tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips (regular, mini, or chunks) or dark chocolate chips
Optional Chocolate Drizzle
- 1 tablespoon semisweet chocolate chips (regular, mini, or chunks)
- ¼ teaspoon coconut oil or canola oil
Instructions
- In a large microwave-safe mug, whisk together the Kodiak cake pancake mix and cocoa powder until well combined.
- Stir in the milk and maple syrup until no streaks of flour remain.
- Microwave the mug cake on high for 1 ½ minutes.
- Top with the chocolate chips and microwave for another 1 minute or until cooked through.
- If desired, make the optional chocolate drizzle by heating the chocolate and oil in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring between each interval, until smooth and melted. Drizzle the chocolate over the mugs and serve hot!
Notes
- Refrigeration: Leftovers keep covered tightly wrapped with aluminum foil or plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Once the cake has cooled to room temperature, scoop it out of the mug and transfer it to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost the cake in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours until thawed.
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- Use a large mug. Since the Kodiak Cakes mix contains baking soda and other leavening agents to help them rise when cooked, you will need a mug that can accommodate the cakes as they expand. I recommend using at least a 12-ounce mug.
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- Stir the dry ingredients well. Thoroughly mix the pancake mix with the cocoa powder before adding the wet ingredients for an even chocolate flavor.
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- Cook until cooked through. Microwave strengths can vary, so cook the mug cake with Kodiak pancake mix until it is risen and cooked through. You will know it is done when a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. For weaker microwaves, you may need to add on extra cooking time in 30-second intervals.
I'm a little confused about the calorie count. Is 267 for the entire recipe which makes 2 cakes, or 1 cake?
HI Ellen,
That count is per serving (or, 1/2 of a mug cake).
Best,
Chelsea
Yessss, the fair life milk helped. This was delish!!! I changed the cocoa powder for cinnamon bc I didn’t have any, which worked-ish, but this is the first mug cake I have done that came out well!!!! Thank youuuuu