Need to satisfy your sweet tooth? Try 1-2-3 Mug Cake, a single-serving warm dessert, you just microwave in a cup for a minute. It’s delicious, quick and uses cake mix!
If you want an easy dessert you can make whenever you’re craving something sweet, this simple 1-2-3 mug cake recipe is the answer.
Is 1-2-3 Cake the same thing as Mug Cake?
We are updating this post after receiving questions asking, “is 1-2-3 cake a mug cake recipe?”
Yes it is! Mug cake recipes are as easy as 1-2-3, and that’s exactly what this recipe is all about.
What do you do when you have a craving for something sweet, but you don’t have any cookies, cakes, brownies or other desserts in the house?
A few years ago, I came across the answer on Pinterest for a simple single-serving dessert from The Hidden Pantrycalled Aunt Betty’s 1-2-3 Cake. Named because the original author got the recipe from her husband’s Aunt Betty, this delicious dessert is so fast and easy. It’s the perfect warm dessert on a cold winter night when you just need something to satisfy a sweet tooth.
How to make 1-2-3 Mug Cake
All you do is combine a couple of boxed cake mixes, add water and throw it in the microwave.It’s easy as 1-2-3! There’s a recipe card later in this post with the specific instructions.
What you need:
Disclosure:This blog post containsaffiliate linksfor products or services we think you’ll like. This means if you make a purchase from one of theselinks, Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® willmake a small commission at no additional cost to you so we can keep the great ideas for the home coming your way. All opinions expressed are derived from personal experience.
Ingredients:
These are the ingredients you’ll need. All the exact amounts are in the printable card at the bottom of this post.
- Cake mix, any flavor
- Angel food cake mix
- Water
- Whipped cream, optional
- Sprinkles, optional
Serving Suggestions for 1-2-3 Mug Cake
As I mentioned in the recipe, you can use any flavor cake for the second cake mix. I used a dark chocolate cake mix for this blog post, but my husband and I think devil’s food just sounds like the right one to combine with angel food for 1-2-3 mug Cake. Don’t you agree? Here are some serving suggestions that we’ve tried:
- Replace the water with Kahlua or Bailey’s Irish Cream for a tasty treat.
- Top your 1-2-3 Mug Cake with ice cream.
- Pour hot fudge on the 1-2-3 Mug Cake in addition to the whipped cream or ice cream.
- Spread a tablespoon or two of frosting across the top of the cake.
- A few marshmallows or marshmallow fluff melted over the top of the cake would be delicious.
- Package 1-2-3 Mug Cake mix in individual jars and give as gifts.
- Double the recipe in a larger coffee mug to increase the size of the cake. For example in these photos, we used 5 tablespoons of mix and 3 1/3 tablespoons of water to fill the mug all the way to the top.
1-2-3 Cake Lessons Learned
As my family and I have experimented with 1-2-3 Cake, we’ve also tried a few things that didn’t work well:
- We tried confetti cake mix, but found the colored confetti doesn’t really stand out once it’s mixed with the angel food cake mix.
- Red velvet cake mix was delicious, but the cake was such a bright red color, it wasn’t appetizing.
- We’ve thrown chocolate or peanut butter chips into the batter before we microwaved the 1-2-3 Cake. The chips sink right to the bottom of the cup.
- Make sure to use an appropriately sized cup or your cake will run over the top.
- When you’re done enjoying your 1-2-3 Cake, you may need to soak the cup with water before you put it in the dishwasher. The 1-2-3 Cake will stick to the bottom of the cup.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
4.50 from 10 votes
1-2-3 Mug Cake: A Single-Serving Dessert in a Cup
Need to satisfy your sweet tooth? Try 1-2-3 Mug Cake, a single-serving warm dessert, you just microwave in a cup for a minute. It’s delicious and quick!
Prep Time2 mins
Cook Time1 min
Total Time3 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cake, mug cakes
Servings: 20
Calories: 175kcal
Author: Carrie Ypma
- 1 box of cake mix any flavor
- 1 box of angel food cake mix
- Water
- Whipped cream optional
- Sprinkles optional
Pour both boxes of cake mix into a gallon sized sealable storage bag and shake to thoroughly combine the mixes.
Put 3 tablespoons of the combined cake mix in a microwaveable coffee cup. Seal and set aside the remaining cake mix to enjoy 1-2-3 Cake another day.
(Video) 321 Cake | Weight Watchers Mug Cake | Easy Microwave Cake For One | John Eats CheapAdd 2 tablespoons of water.
Stir the water and cake mix together to form a batter. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the mug to get all the cake mix granules wet.
Cook for 1 minute in the microwave.
Be careful when you remove the hot cup from the microwave. The resulting cake will fill about half the cup and have a spongy appearance.
Top with whipped cream and sprinkles. Enjoy this warm, delicious dessert!
Serving: 3TBS | Calories: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 364mg | Potassium: 92mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 1mg
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Just Remember 1-2-3
There are just three simple steps: 3 tablespoons of the cake mix, 2 tablespoons of water, 1 minute in the microwave. I write it on the side of the gallon sealable bag so I can easily remember the next time we make 1-2-3 Cake.
We hope you’ll enjoy this delicious warm dessert as much as we do. Please comment below and share your favorite way to serve 1-2-3 Mug Cake.
This Inspired Idea for Aunt Betty’s 1-2-3 Mug Cake came from The Hidden Pantryand was shared with their permission. Please visit their website to find more great ideas like this.
The words and photos used in this post are our own, derived from our personal experience implementing this idea.
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What’s Next?
While you’re here, be sure to check out some of these other easy dessert ideas on Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® –
- Chocolate Fudge Cake: Marshmallow S’mores Dessert
- 2 Minute Vanilla Chai Mug Cake
- The Best Soft Blueberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
If you enjoyed this 123 cake recipe, please share this with your friends or pin it for later:
Carrie Ypma
Carrie is the chief writer, crafter and creator here at Ideas for the Home by Kenarry®. She's an optimist by nature and enjoys sharing recipes, trying new craft ideas, planning for parties and events as well as organizing and decorating. She and her husband, Kent live in Michigan. She also loves to hide away in a castle under the stairs reading to her two young boys and help guests plan vacations at Sunshine Villa at Glenbrook Resort, their short term vacation rental home in Orlando near Walt Disney World.
Whether you’re cooking, crafting or creating for your family, follow Carrie on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get inspiring ideas for your home. For home organization tips and ideas, check out her other website, Clutter Keeper or follow her on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
FAQs
How does a mug cake work? ›
The oven channels those RF waves into the box, where they penetrate any food inside. The waves excite water molecules in the food, heating it up. A turntable continually rotates the dish, evenly distributing microwave energy throughout its contents.
What is mug cake made of? ›Mix flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a large microwave-safe mug; stir in milk, canola oil, water, and vanilla extract. Cook in microwave until cake is done in the middle, about 1 minute 45 seconds.
What consistency should mug cake be? ›Test if it's done by gently touching the top with a few fingers: if they stick slightly, it's done. If your cake doesn't stick, you've nuked it a little too long. And if it's still completely wet, put it back in the microwave for 5-10 second increments until it reaches that perfect, slightly-sticky consistency.
Why are mug cakes popular? ›Why are they so popular? They are popular because they're easy to make and it is single-serving. When you are craving cake, you don't want to have to whip out all your baking equipment, let alone bake an entire cake. A mug cake is a great alternative to nip that craving in the bud!
How do you keep a mug cake moist? ›Without eggs, which add moisture as well as height, the mug cake needs something saucy—nut butter, caramel sauce, or chocolate sauce—to give it a moist, rich texture and pack in more flavor.
Why are mug cakes hard? ›Well, over mixing the batter and the wrong temperature of the butter can be the reason for a rubbery mug cake just like the normal cakes. But two other reasons for a mug cake being rubbery are 'use of too much oil' and 'overcooking of cake'.
How do you make a mug? ›How To Make a Ceramic Mug - YouTube
Can I use baking soda instead of baking powder? ›Use Baking Soda
Baking soda can be substituted for baking powder, but it requires more than just swapping one for the other. Baking soda is 3 times stronger than baking powder, so if a recipe calls for 1 tbsp of baking powder, you'll want to use 1 tsp of baking soda.
Yes, you read that right. You can make any cake you like in a microwave. Even in microwaves, some of you might have convection microwaves and some of you might have non convection microwaves. Majority of people think that baking a cake in a microwave can only be done in a convection microwave but that is just not true.
Why do mug cakes taste eggy? ›The eggy smell or taste you're getting is from the sulfur compounds in the eggs. These can be more noticeable after being exposed to high heat. Some eggs are worse for this than others, but it can be avoided by beating in the eggs more or masking it with something pleasant like vanilla.
Are mug cakes supposed to be gooey? ›
The cakes should be cooked, but very moist, and a bit gooey in the middle. If you like your cake extra soft and gooey, cook for a bit less time. Allow cakes to cool for about 10 minutes prior to eating.
Are microwave mug cakes safe? ›Are Mug Cakes Safe to Eat? Yes! Mug cakes are safe to eat as long as you microwave them long enough to thoroughly cook the flour and any egg that may be in the recipe.
When did mug cakes become popular? ›A mug cake is a single serving of cake made by quickly stirring up batter in a mug and nuking it in the microwave. It apparently came to widespread public attention in a YouTube video back in 2009.
When did mug cakes start? ›While the origin of the mug cake is difficult to trace, one of the earliest video tutorials surfaced on YouTube in 2009.
How do you store a mug cake? ›Yes, this coffee mug cake can be kept in the fridge for up to 1 day. Then, when you're ready to eat, just reheat it in the microwave for 15-30 seconds or just long enough for it to warm. Just make sure not to overcook your cake, or it will become dry and rubbery!
Where did mug cakes originate from? ›CHENNAI: Swetha Kishore is an engineering graduate-turned entrepreneur who founded Mug Cakes.
What can u use instead of baking powder? ›Substitute each teaspoon (5 grams) of baking powder in the recipe with 1/4 teaspoon (1 gram) baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) vinegar. Summary: Each teaspoon (5 grams) of baking powder can be replaced with a 1/4 teaspoon (1 gram) baking soda and a 1/2 teaspoon vinegar.
Why do mug cakes deflate? ›Why did my cake deflate? If you haven't microwaved your cake for long enough it will deflate. Make sure you microwave it for 2 minutes on high.
Why is my cake rubbery at the bottom? ›Overmixing the cake batter can lead to a rubbery cake since it produces too much air. Because of this, the trapped air expands. After that, it deflates in the oven. As a result, a deflated cake can turn into a dense cake.
Why is my cake gummy in the middle? ›This cake layer was made with too much flour and was over-mixed. The crumb isn't tender or soft, and the texture is dense with an oddly gummy center. It causes the cake layer to almost look underbaked once it's leveled, even though it's cooked through.
How do you throw a mug? ›
How to throw a cup on the wheel - YouTube
How do you make a hand mug? ›How To Hand Build The Perfect Mug - YouTube
Does baking soda go bad? ›Once a box of baking soda is opened, it has a shelf life of about six months to a year. If you happen to find an unopened box, chances are it may still be good even if it's past the expiration date (generally about 18 months from the time it went on sale).
Can I use expired baking powder? ›Expired Baking Powder Effects
Expired baking powder loses its potency after its use-by date, usually 18 to 24 months after manufacture. The only danger of using expired baking soda or baking powder is its inability to properly rise, resulting in baked goods that are flat and dense.
"We definitely would not recommend using baking powder as a method to whiten your teeth. Baking powder is very abrasive to the tooth surface and acts by breaking and abrading down the outside layer of the tooth surface rather than actually brightening the tooth."
What happens if you microwave cake? ›Using The Microwave To Warm Up Your Cake
If you leave a cake in the microwave for too long, you can end up with a chewy, leathery texture. Then again, it could end up soggy if you're not careful.
Unfortunately once a cake has cooled it is not possible to re-bake it. The cake would have to heat all the way through again and the outside parts of the cake would become too dry.
Can I microwave frozen cake? ›No, you really shouldn't. The microwave will alter and melt the frosting and the cake won't thaw evenly. You'll end up with a mess of frosting and cake, with the center still frozen. The best way to defrost a cake is to let it slowly thaw in your refrigerator for at least 24 hours.
Why is my cake wet in the middle in microwave? ›Why Is My Cake Wet in the Middle? If your cake is wet in the middle, you may have not cooked it long enough, your oven might not be heated properly, or you could've used the wrong type of pan for optimum heat distribution.
Why does my chocolate cake smell of fish? ›one of the tell tale signs of oxidized oils is off flavor - from cardboard to fish. By the time you get to fish, your oils have been heavily oxidized. If there's any question at all, simply take a spoon of the oil used to make them and taste it. if that's the source, you'll know immediately.
How do you taste a cake without ruining it? ›
Without cutting into the cake and ruining its presentation, how can you make sure it tastes good before serving it? The Nibble Pan is a smart solution for that problem — it's a cake pan with a little silicone sidecar for baking a small amount of batter alongside the full cake.
Does baking powder work in the microwave? ›If your microwave needs cleaning, you can use baking powder. Just mix 1/4 cup of baking powder with 1 cup of water in a bowl. Then put the bowl in your microwave and turn it on for 5 minutes.
Can I put a glass mug in the oven? ›Glass: Although most glass is not oven-safe , some varieties have been designed to withstand the heat of the oven, like pyrex . Check the manufacturer's recommendations before baking a glass mug .
Can you put a coffee mug in the oven? ›Are mugs oven safe? Yes, stoneware mugs and some porcelain, metallic, and glass mugs that are labeled as oven-safe can go in the oven. However, they can still crack or shatter when subjected to sudden temperature changes. Plastic and paper mugs should not go in the oven.
How can I use microwave instead of oven? ›Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove the food from the packaging and put it in an oven-safe container. Cover the container with foil so the food doesn't dry out. Once the oven is up to temperature, bake for about 30 minutes or until the bowl reaches an internal temperature of 170 degrees.
Are microwave mug cakes safe? ›Are Mug Cakes Safe to Eat? Yes! Mug cakes are safe to eat as long as you microwave them long enough to thoroughly cook the flour and any egg that may be in the recipe.
Can you put egg in mug cake? ›Add 4 tbsp self-raising flour, 4 tbsp caster sugar and 2 tbsp cocoa powder to the largest mug you have (to stop it overflowing in the microwave) and mix. Add 1 medium egg and mix in as much as you can, but don't worry if there's still dry mix left.
Can you bake a cake in a microwave? ›Baking a cake in a microwave is super easy, and can be used for any cake recipe! Yes, you read that right. You can make any cake you like in a microwave. Even in microwaves, some of you might have convection microwaves and some of you might have non convection microwaves.
How do I make a mug? ›How To Make a Ceramic Mug - YouTube
Why does my mug cake taste bitter? ›One of the most common misfortunes among bakers is that they are using too much baking soda or baking powder. Know that too much baking soda or baking powder in cakes will not just lead to a metallic and bitter taste, but it can also make a big mess in the oven as it will rise beyond expectations.
How do you store a mug cake? ›
Yes, this coffee mug cake can be kept in the fridge for up to 1 day. Then, when you're ready to eat, just reheat it in the microwave for 15-30 seconds or just long enough for it to warm. Just make sure not to overcook your cake, or it will become dry and rubbery!
Where did mug cakes come from? ›Historically, however, the origins of mug cake go back much further than this century. A form of cake, it is a descendent of ancient cakes which are mentioned in texts as old as 4000 years ago. The most immediate predecessor to the mug cake is the cupcake.
Is baking powder the same as baking soda? ›Baking soda and baking powder are not the same. Sodium bicarbonate and bicarbonate of soda are other names for baking soda. Baking powder is made of baking soda plus cream of tartar and cornstarch. Baking powder can be substituted for baking soda by tripling the amount of baking powder.
How long does it take to bake a cake in the microwave? ›Generally speaking, a cake should take between 5-8 minutes. And a toothpick inserted should come out clean. Do microwaves cook unevenly? Yes, microwaves do cook unevenly so it is important to mix your batter well before cooking and to take the mug cake out of the microwave after 30 seconds.
What can be used in place of baking powder? ›- Buttermilk. Buttermilk is a fermented dairy product with a sour, slightly tangy taste that is often compared to plain yogurt. ...
- Plain Yogurt. ...
- Molasses. ...
- Cream of Tartar. ...
- Sour Milk. ...
- Vinegar. ...
- Lemon Juice. ...
- Club Soda.
Initially, follow the recipe of a cake you are baking and prepare the batter. Then transfer it to the prepared pans. Then place your cake pans in the middle of the microwave and set the power level to 100% of total power and then press the start button. It takes around 8-9 minutes to finish.
Can I bake cake in plastic container? ›No. No matter what kind of plastic you are using, don't use it for oven use. It will melt from the inside or it might melt completely. For safer use, don't use plastic 'cause your oven might catch on fire.
How do you make a pinch Cup? ›Ceramics II Pinch Pot Cup Forms - YouTube
How do you throw a mug? ›How to throw a cup on the wheel - YouTube