Looking for a quick and easy cake to make? One where you can get it all done in about five minutes without using your mixer or turning on your oven? Then a mug cake may be the cake for you. Not only are they the perfect size to satisfy any craving you may have for cake, it’s fast to make and can be tailored to include any of your favorite add-ins, like chocolate chips or rainbow sprinkles.
Why You’ll Love a Mug Cake
- No baking required. You’ll only need a microwave to make the magic happen.
- Perfect for kids. Easy enough for young bakers to help with or do on their own.
- Single-serve size. You can eat this in one sitting.
Ingredients You’ll Need (and Why)
All-Purpose Flour: be sure to spoon the flour into a measuring cup and level it off. Don’t scoop flour into the measuring cup or you may have more flour than needed.
Sugar: granulated sugar gives the right amount of sweetness.
Baking Powder: helps give this cake a little bit of lift.
Salt: helps to enhance flavors.
Rainbow Sprinkles: any sprinkles can be used to add in a pop of color, flavor and texture.
Whole Milk: whole milk is preferred since it has more fat, which is ideal in baking.
Vegetable or Canola Oil: either oil is fine, as both help to keep cake moist and tender.
Vanilla Extract: adds a warm flavor to the cake.
Whipped Cream: add a touch of sweetness by topping your mug cake with whipped cream.
Helpful Baking Tools
12-Ounce Mug: a large, microwavable mug is preferred so the cake doesn’t spill over the top.
Small Mixing Bowl: you can mix ingredients directly into your mug, or you mix ingredients in a small bowl.
Measuring Cups & Spoons: you’ll use measuring cups to measure the flour and measuring spoons to measure the remaining ingredients. Or, weigh ingredients with a kitchen scale.
Small Whisk: you can use a small whisk or fork to mix all the dry ingredients together.
Oven Mitt: protect hands with an oven mitt when removing the hot mug from the microwave.
Helpful Mug Cake Tips
While making a mug cake relatively easy to do, here are some pro tips to ensure your mug cake turns out light, fluffy and delicious every time.
- Choose the right mug. Use a microwave-safe mug that holds at least 12 ounces. A mug cake will rise while cooking and you don’t want it spilling over the sides.
- Whisk dry ingredients first. Mix all of the dry ingredients first, before adding the liquid ingredients. This prevents pockets of flour sitting unmixed at the bottom of the mug.
- Don’t overmix the ingredients. Once you’ve added the wet ingredients, mix the batter until it is just combined. Overstirring the ingredients leads to a tough cake texture.
- Know your microwave. Most home microwaves run between 900 and 1200 watts. If yours runs on the lower end, you may need a few extra seconds of cook time. When in doubt, check at 60 seconds and go from there.
- Don’t overbake your cake. Not all microwaves are the same, so keep a close eye. The cake is done when it looks firm and has a small spot in the middle that looks slightly glistening. This will finish cooking as it sits.
- Let the cake rest. Let your mug cake sit for 1 to 2 minutes before eating. This will let the cake finish baking through residual heat and will cool down enough for you to add a topping.
Perfect For Mother's Day
While making a rainbow mug cake is great any time you’re craving a sweet treat, you can also leave out your favorite mug, along with this recipe, so your kids can make this for Mother’s Day. With no baking required, even the littlest of your crew can surprise you with cake. For additional no-bake recipes that young bakers can bake up for Mother’s Day, try these S’mores Rice Krispie Treats or these Nut-Free No-Bake Energy Bites. Happy Mother’s Day!
Rainbow Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (32g) all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp (40g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 pinch salt (about 1/16th of a teaspoon)
- 1 tbsp (12g) rainbow sprinkles (optional: extra for garnish)
- 3 tbsp (45g) whole milk
- 2 tbsp (23g) vegetable or canola oil
- 1 tbsp (13g) vanilla
- whipped cream (optional: for garnish)
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients together, including kitchen tools that you’ll need.
- In either a 12 ounce microwavable mug or small bowl, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and sprinkles. Combine with a small whisk or fork.
- Add in the liquids: the milk, oil and vanilla. Stir together until smooth.
- If using a bowl, pour the batter into your microwavable mug.
- Once batter is in the mug, clean up any spills/dry ingredients on the mug by wiping it down with a wet paper towel.
- Place the mug into the microwave. Every microwave is different. I “baked” my mug cake for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Don’t bake for less than 90 seconds.
- Carefully remove the hot mug from the microwave.
- Let it cool for 1-2 minutes before adding your whipped cream and extra sprinkles for garnish, if desired.
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