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3-2-1 Microwave Mug Cake (+Video)

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!

A SIMPLE DESSERT FOR ONE!

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. It makes a deliciously quick dessert that satisfies any sweet tooth!

a spoon holding up some cake over a clear mug.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Can I use different cake mixes?

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.

What is a mug cake made of?

There are many different versions. This one is made with two different types of cake mixes mixed with water.

What does this taste like?

Mug cake has a sponge-like cake texture so it tastes very light and not like a heavy dessert at all.

Are microwave cakes safe?

Absolutely! We are cooking this long enough so that any raw flour in the mixes has been thoroughly cook. There aren’t any eggs in this recipe so you don’t have to worry about that being an issue.

Can this be made from scratch?

Of course! What’s wonderful about this recipe is the ease of making it and that you can easily pull it out of your pantry and whip it up in seconds. However, you can certainly put in some more time and effort to make it all from scratch!

How do I store the mix?

Keep your bag of cake mix stored in your dry and cool pantry for up to 2 months.

a microwaved mug cake shown in a clear mug with a bit of cake removed.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

  • angel food cake mix
  • any flavor cake mix (Funfetti used here)
  • water
  • frosting
angel food cake mix, confetti cake mix, rainbow chip frosting.

HOW TO MAKE MICROWAVE MUG CAKE:

Pour both dry cake mixes into a gallon-size Ziploc bag.

mug cake, cake mix combined with angel food cake.

Zip it up tight and begin to shake it well to make sure cake mixes are combined thoroughly. In a microwave-safe mug (you do not need to grease the mug), combine 3 tablespoons of the combined cake mixes with 2 tablespoons of water.

cake mix combines with water in a mug.

Stir well until completely combined. Batter will get foamy as you stir. Then pop it into the microwave. Cook on high for 1 minute.

fully baked mug cake show in a clear mug.

And that’s how it gets its name,  3-2-1 Microwave Mug Cake. I like to write the directions on the outside of the bag so everyone will know how to prepare it when they pull it out of the pantry.

To make:
3 Tablespoons mug cake mix
2 Tablespoons water
1 minute in the microwave.

cake mixes in a ziplock bag with writing on it to show how to make the mug cake.

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!

baked microwave mug cake topped with frosting on a marble surface.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?

Original published: September 2015
Updated and republished: January 2023

3-2-1 Microwave Mug Cake recipe.

3-2-1 Microwave Mug Cake (+Video)

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!
4.97 from 31 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 6 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 1 box Angel Food cake mix
  • 1 box any flavor cake mix (I used Funfetti)

To prepare one serving:

  • 2 Tablespoons water (for preparing)
  • store-bought frosting (optional)

Instructions

  • Pour 1 box Angel Food cake mix and 1 box any flavor cake mix into a gallon-size Ziploc bag.
  • Zip it up tight and begin to shake it well to make sure cake mixes are combined thoroughly.
  • To prepare: In a microwave-safe mug (you do not need to grease the mug), combine 3 Tablespoons of the combined cake mixes with 2 Tablespoons water .
  • Stir well until completely combined. Batter will get foamy as you stir.
  • Then microwave for one minute. Top with some store-bought frosting, if desired.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

  • Rainbow Chip and Funfetti are two of our favorite cake mixes to use. 
  • For One Serving:
  • 3 tablespoons cake mix
  • 2 tablespoons 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.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 282kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 542mg | Sugar: 41g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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81 Comments

  1. Hi! Have you ever used like a disposable coffee cup or styrofoam cup? I am going to try this with my students in class but just wondering if it turns out pretty much the same.

    1. Hi Bri – I haven’t actually. I wouldn’t use styrofoam as that will pretty much melt in the microwave. You could use some sort of paper cup I would think. I would definitely test it out first though and maybe spray it with a nonstick baking spray because the cake might stick to paper. I hope that makes sense! 🙂

  2. 5 stars
    I use the sugar free chocolate or yellow cake mix added to the angel food cake mix! My diabetic hubby has a sweet tooth! Sometimes I add a tablespoon of finely chopped pecans into the mug just before putting it in the microwave!
    He likes it with a 1% milk poured over the top instead of frosting! Been making this for him for years!