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

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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: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

  • 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!
4.93 from 13 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 3-2-1 Microwave Mug Cake, 3-2-1 Mug Cake, Funfetti Mug Cake, Microwave Mug Cake, Mug Cake
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 6 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 282kcal
Author: Brandie @ The Country Cook

Ingredients

  • 1 box Angel Food cake mix
  • 1 box any flavor cake mix (I used Funfetti)
  • water, for preparing
  • 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.
  • 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 of water.
  • Stir well until completely combined. Batter will get foamy as you stir.
  • Then microwave for one minute. Top with 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

Calories: 282kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 542mg | Potassium: 34mg | Sugar: 41g | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 0.7mg

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.

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More Dessert Recipes

About Brandie @ The Country Cook

I’m a regular home cook, like most of you, doing my best to get a good meal on the table for my family. I like to say the recipes on here are recipes for the busy cook (you know who you are). You can still get a good meal on the table, with a few shortcuts to help you along the way. I hope you’ll find lots of recipes here that you’ll love and hopefully will become family favorites. Read more...

Reader Interactions

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Ann Jones

    Has anyone tried this with gluten free mixes?

    Reply

    • Ausanat

      Yes it works

      Reply

  2. Frances

    Can you double the cake mix and water amount to make a bigger mug full?

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

    • Ausanat

      Yes

      Reply

  3. 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?

    Reply

  4. Sandy Smith

    What can you use if you dont have a microwave safe mug

    Reply

    • Brandie @ The Country Cook

      A small microwave safe bowl would work as well. 🙂

      Reply

  5. Cindy

    Do you think I could use 1/2 box of each and make it in a Bundt pan in the oven instead?

    Reply

  6. Sharon Schroeter

    These look wonderful, but a bit small for my husband 😉 Can they be doubled?
    Thanks for such a unique idea!

    Reply

  7. Diane

    What size mug should these be made in?

    Reply

  8. Deborah Sexton

    ????

    Reply

  9. Donna

    How far. A head if i make it for a bake sale

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  10. Linda

    what is mug/cup is used?

    Reply

  11. Shelley

    Would this work with gluten free cake mixes?

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  12. Dawn D.

    This is insanely awesome! I’m going out TODAY and picking up the ingredients I need to make my own.

    Reply

  13. 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 ????

    Reply

    • Mary

      5 stars
      If you can find Pillsbury Sugar free cake mix, chocolate or yellow, it will cut your sugar intake.

      Reply

  14. SpinninJenny

    5 stars
    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.?

    Reply

    • 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? 🙂

      Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

      • 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?

  15. Mary | Chattavore

    5 stars
    I love mug cakes, and this one looks great! However, my preferred method of eating Rainbow Chip icing is: with.a.spoon. 🙂

    Reply

  16. Juju

    What is the texture like? I'm not fond of angel food cake.

    Reply

  17. 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!!

    Reply

  18. Anonymous

    was wondering if the 2 step angel food cake mix will work???

    Reply

  19. 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!

    Reply

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