3-2-1 Microwave Mug Cake is made with only two main ingredients and water. It whips up in minutes and is the perfect single serving dessert!
3-2-1 MICROWAVE MUG CAKE
I truly don't know the origins of this cake. I remember it being on the back of a Duncan Hines cake mix many years ago. If any of you who ever lived in a dorm or in a teeny tiny apartment that didn't come with an oven, then you are probably VERY familiar with this recipe since learning to cook with a microwave can be it's own art form when you don't own an oven.
SINGLE-SERVING DESSERT
any flavor cake mix (Funfetti used here)
water
frosting (optional)
HOW TO MAKE THIS EASY FUNFETTI MUG CAKE RECIPE:
Pour both dry cake mixes into a gallon-size Ziploc bag.
Stir well until completely combined. Batter will get foamy as you stir. Then pop it into the microwave. Cook on high for 1 minute.
And that's how it gets it's name, 3-2-1 Microwave Mug Cake.
To make:
3 tablespoon cake mix
2 tablespoon water
1 minute in the microwave.
When it's finished, carefully take it out of the microwave (mug will be very warm.) Dab a little frosting on top (optional) and dig into the warm cake.
You can eat the cake right out of the mug or you can run your finger or a butter knife gently around the inside edge of the mug. Flip mug over on a plate. And dig in!
Definitely add a dollop of frosting on top! It will melt slightly since it's going on a warm cake. Yum! Keep your bag of cake mix stored in your dry and cool pantry for up to 2 months.
Cook's Notes: Use any type of cake mix you like. But it has to be mixed with the Angel Food Cake mix for this to work properly. I absolutely love Lemon and Dark Chocolate cake mixes with this. My son is pretty partial to this Rainbow Chip flavor. And feel free to play with different toppings depending on the flavor of cake you use. Whipped cream, canned fruit fillings or fresh fruit are all great toppings to try.
Enjoy!
CRAVING MORE RECIPES? GIVE THESE A TRY!
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE IN A MUG
HOMEMADE PUMPKIN MUG CAKE
3-2-1 Microwave Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box Angel Food cake mix
- 1 box any flavor cake mix
- water
- 1 tub frosting optional
Instructions
- Pour both dry cake mixes into a gallon-size Ziploc bag.
- Zip it up tight and begin to shake it well to make sure cake mixes are combined thoroughly.
- In a clean mug (you do not need to grease the mug), combine 3 tablespoon of the combined cake mixes with 2 tablespoon of water.
- Stir well until completely combined. Batter will get foamy as you stir.
- Then pop it into the microwave.
- Cook on high for 1 minute.
Video
Notes
3 tablespoon cake mix
2 tablespoon water
1 minute in the microwave. When it's finished, carefully take it out of the microwave (mug will be very warm).
Dab a little frosting on top (optional) and dig into the warm cake.
Or you can run your finger or a butter knife gently around the inside edge of the mug. Flip mug over on a plate. If you like, add a dollop of frosting on top. Keep your bag of cake mix stored in your dry and cool pantry for up to 2 months. Use any type of cake mix you like. But it has to be mixed with the Angel Food Cake mix for this to work properly. Feel free to play with different toppings depending on the flavor of cake you use. Whipped cream, canned fruit fillings or fresh fruit are all great toppings to try.
Nutrition
Ann Jones
Has anyone tried this with gluten free mixes?
Ausanat
Yes it works
Frances
Can you double the cake mix and water amount to make a bigger mug full?
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Frances, you sure could. Just keep an eye on the cooking time in the microwave. You may need a few more seconds. 🙂 You don't want to overcook it or it will be rubbery.
Ausanat
Yes
Margie Smith
I love this idea and will try when on trip in our motorhome (our only microwave). Can this be baked in a small oven? Temp? Time?
Sandy Smith
What can you use if you dont have a microwave safe mug
Brandie @ The Country Cook
A small microwave safe bowl would work as well. 🙂
Cindy
Do you think I could use 1/2 box of each and make it in a Bundt pan in the oven instead?
Sharon Schroeter
These look wonderful, but a bit small for my husband 😉 Can they be doubled?
Thanks for such a unique idea!
Diane
What size mug should these be made in?
Deborah Sexton
????
Donna
How far. A head if i make it for a bake sale
Brandie @ The Country Cook
It depends. Are you baking them in advance then freezing? Are you making them fully ahead of the bake sale or are you just whipping up the dry batter? The dry batter is good in an airtight bag up to three months.
Linda
what is mug/cup is used?
Shelley
Would this work with gluten free cake mixes?
Tiannah York
It would depend on the mix. The regular angel food cake mix has powdered egg already included (you just have to add water). I have seen a lot of mug cake recipes, and it seems that angel food cake mix might be the key ingredient. It might work if you find a GF mix that only requires you to add water. I have not found one yet. I have found a really good yellow cake mix and a chocolate cake mix- Pillsbury.
Dawn D.
This is insanely awesome! I’m going out TODAY and picking up the ingredients I need to make my own.
Melissa
Hello I’m excited to try this but wanted to ask if the carb count was for the cake mixture or dose that include icing? About to be a bad diabetic but need a correct carb count so wanted to double check. Thank you ????
SpinninJenny
Can this be kept in the freezer? Also as another reader asked, does this work with the angel food mixes with 2 pouches - 1 for the egg whites and 1 for the flour mixture.?
Brandie @ The Country Cook
I have never used the angel food cake mix that has two pouches. I am not sure how that would work to be honest. And, are you asking if the dry mix can be kept in the freezer? 🙂
Linda
Regarding which angelfood cake mix....no. the 2-step mix won't work. Just like the recipe for pineapple angelfood cake (1 1-step angelfood mix and 1 cab undrained crushed pineapple) the 1-step mix only will work for those recipes.
Thank you for posting...a nice small treat!
Melody
Why don't the 2 pouch angel food cake mixes work? I am having a problem with my cakes coming out with a burned area on the bottom or spot on bottom that ends up too well done, and dry and chewy. What am I doing wrong?
Mary | Chattavore
I love mug cakes, and this one looks great! However, my preferred method of eating Rainbow Chip icing is: with.a.spoon. 🙂
Juju
What is the texture like? I'm not fond of angel food cake.
Susan Thinpson
Just made the mix and then went ahead and made a mug cake...OMG...its like a flavored angel food. I used a strawberry supreme cake mix...so good!!
Anonymous
was wondering if the 2 step angel food cake mix will work???
Deanna
Made these tonight, my daughter and I loved them. So easy and no mess, and just the right amount of cake, perfect little dessert. Thanks for sharing!
ML Kennedy
I love this! I have found that with chocolate cake, it's better if you also add 1/2 cup cocoa powder to the two mixes. Also if you want a double portion, it still only takes a minute to microwave.
denise urevick
This has to be the greatest invention of the 21st century! My granddaughter loves cupcakes and so do I. Now we can make them whenever we want! Any suggestions about how to make and keep frosting on hand?
Billie
We've been planning these for little "just add water" gifts...to fill the empty space in the jars we used chocolate, caramel, or mint chips and they actually settle to the bottom during cooking and serve as icing if you flip it onto a plate...or just dig the bottom while eating straight from the cup!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Great idea!
Kat
Hi Denise,
I lined an ice tray with plastic wrap and filled each cavity with a dollop of frosting, then covered it with another sheet of plastic wrap to seal and put it in the freezer. Once they're frozen I can just cut one of the cubes off and let it thaw for a few minutes and have frosting for my mug cakes. I think that the individual ice cube size will be the perfect amount of frosting for one cake and because they're small they'll thaw quickly at room temperature. I just prepared them so I haven't used any yet, but frosting freezes well so it should work out great.
Jennifer
Do you know if this works with the gluten free mixes
Amber
This is amazing! I am heading to college in a week and this will be perfect for late night studying!
Anonymous
I am going to the store and picking up all the things for this ......so my grandaughter can put it together and make some for us. Thank you and I would love to listen to you on the radio if you were only in Indiana on a radio station.
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl
I'm in love with this. I love having single desserts like this. I make a 100 calorie brownie very similar to this, but this looks magical - thank you!
Anonymous
I am very excited about this! 🙂 I am headed to college in August and will only have a microwave. Since I love to bake, I will miss having an oven, but this will be a happy substitute I think 🙂
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Congratulations! I am so excited for you! I hope this will at least be an easier and tasty way for you to get your cake fix. Microwave cooking becomes an art while in college. Ha!
Phoenyx
I was so excited to see this recipe and then it just tickled me when I saw the cup. I yelled over to my husband "Look honey! She has our pattern!!"
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Haha! I would love to get more of this pattern. Right now I just have the cups. I do a lot of thrift store shopping so I'm always looking out for them,
Michelle @AmourBeurre
HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?!?! This is dangerous knowledge to posses.
Shawna
that looks great!! And my momma had those dishes like your mug (with the brown around it) and I have the green like your plate!!
My kids are gonna loooove this!!!
Brooks at Cakewalker
Brandie, Love the picture of you sitting on the porch so as to not wake the family. Having never heard you speak, it was so fun to hear a southern accent. Perfect! So is this mug cake...I love individual portions, especially if I can have a cake to call my own. Brava!
Anonymous
Just made this with a plain yellow mix so I threw in about a 1/2 cup of sprinkles. YUMMY!! Couldn't find my frosting so I took some bark chocolate and shaved it off over the top and it melted so easy. Thanks for another great recipe. I'll be sharing the bag with a friend. Teri 🙂
Savory Sweet
So simple and easy and just the right portion size! Thanks for sharing!
Patti
Congrats for being on the show Brandie!!! Glad everything is going well for you!
Medeja
Looks so fun!
tracy
It's been so hot we haven't cooked anything in ages...but with our weekend cool spell, I gave your Crock-pot cubed steak a go. My hubby was so pleased to have "food" again lol. Made your 3-2-1 Mug cake (using lemon cake mix) for dessert too....Wonderful meal. Thanks for the 'food' ideas;-) Really love your site and recipes.
~tracy
The Better Baker
P.S....thanks for sharing my blog link...Woot!
The Better Baker
AHA - I have the VERY SAME thing in my pantry...marked on the bag and everything!! Love this for a quick snack...and lowfat too. Really really fun to get to hear you on the radio Girlie! But you were a STAR before you were on the radio...=)
Gypsy Heart
How neat that you were on the radio! Unfortunately, my speakers are out and I cannot listen. 🙁 Thanks for sharing this Mug Cake recipe ~ I'm thinking of several people that would love it.
You always share such wonderful goodies!
Pat
JANNA
Thank you so much for posting this!!! I have been craving cupcakes for weeks now but I have held off on fixing them because the three of us do not need 24 cupcakes! Now I can get my cupcake fix without any going to waste or gorging on them to keep them from wasting! 😉 I have never heard of this before but it sounds so neat!!
Basilmomma Heather Tallman
I love this!! Adding into my grocery list today!!
Thank you for comng on the show 🙂
The Country Cook
The other good thing about these Janna is they aren't really heavy. they are light, yet moist! Hope you love it!
Pretend Chef
My guys would go crazy over this. Love the ease of it.
The Country Cook
Amanda - I appreciated you staying up to listen that night!! 🙂 Hope Skye likes this one!
Anonymous
I loved hearing you on the radio show! you were great! As for the new recipe I showed it to Skye and he said COOL! guess I will be making this one before long. Thanks for all the great recipes! <3 Amanda