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!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
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.
There are many different versions. This one is made with two different types of cake mixes mixed with water.
Mug cake has a sponge-like cake texture so it tastes very light and not like a heavy dessert at all.
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.
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!
Keep your bag of cake mix stored in your dry and cool pantry for up to 2 months.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- angel food cake mix
- any flavor cake mix (Funfetti used here)
- water
- frosting
HOW TO MAKE MICROWAVE MUG CAKE:
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 microwave-safe mug (you do not need to grease the mug), combine 3 tablespoons of the combined cake mixes with 2 tablespoons 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.
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.
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!
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Original published: September 2015
Updated and republished: January 2023
3-2-1 Microwave Mug Cake (+Video)
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
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.
Nutrition
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 can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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!