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    BeeyondCereal » Recipes » Cake Recipes

    Cake Mix Mug Cakes

    Modified: Oct 17, 2023 Published: May 22, 2023 by Nicole Durham This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Make a single serving mug cake with this cake mix mug cake recipe. Perfect for a fast late night snack or celebratory treat! Made with two ingredients and in just a minute, this is a recipe you'll memorize in no time.

    Recipe: $0.16 | Per Serving: $0.16 | Servings: 1

    red velvet cake with chocolate chips in a mug.

    This 2 ingredient cake mix mug cake recipe is perfect for those days when you're craving something sweet but want a recipe that is quick and easy to make. You can even turn it into Microwave Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes, if you want something with a little crunch.

    Baking a whole cake requires several ingredients and time commitment, not to mention all the cake you'll have to eat within a few days. Making a cake in a cup with cake mix requires almost no time commitment, no leftovers, and it literally just needs cake mix and water to complete.

    For more single serving treats you'll love, check out my Rice Krispie Treat in a Mug, Peanut Butter Banana Mug Cake, and Pancakes in a Mug.

    Jump to:
    • 🍯 Why This Recipe Works
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🥣 Recipe Add-Ins
    • 🔪 Instructions for Cake Mix Mug Cakes
    • 🍴 Recipe Tips
    • 💭 Recipe FAQs
    • ❤️ More Delicious Microwave Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🍯 Why This Recipe Works

    1. It's adaptable. Add sprinkles, chocolate chips, a dollop of frosting, or a dusting of powdered sugar, and you'll always have a perfect sweet treat for any occasion.
    2. You can use any boxed cake mix. Use Betty Crocker, Walmart brand, Kodiak, or Duncan Heins and the recipe turns out great every time. Side note- brownie mix works great too! For more Recipes with Boxed Cake Mixes, check out my Devil's Food Cake Mix Brownies and Cake Mix Blueberry Muffins.
    3. It can be allergen friendly. Make this mug cake recipe with cake mix that's gluten free, egg free, or dairy free and this recipe can easily be made allergen-friendly.

    🥘 Ingredients

    labeled ingredients needed to make cake mix mug cake.

    Ingredient Notes:

    Boxed Cake Mix- Use a box of your favorite boxed cake mix, and you'll always love the results. I like to use devil's food cake, red velvet, and yellow cake mixes because I keep them on hand and they're great on their own or with add-ins.

    Note that I do not recommend an angel food cake mix as that will have different finished results. You can however use angel food cake in these 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars.

    For specific ingredients and measurements, please see the recipe card below.

    🥣 Recipe Add-Ins

    If desired, you can add in 1-2 tablespoons of chocolate chips, sprinkles, shredded coconut, carrots, or even zucchini.

    Topping the mug cake with anything is optional, but I usually keep it simple with a little whipped cream or powdered sugar.

    🔪 Instructions for Cake Mix Mug Cakes

    Step 1: Open a box of your favorite cake mix (any flavor).

    Step 2: Add the measured cake mix to a microwave safe mug and place the remaining mix in an airtight container and store it for future use.

    Cup with red cake mix and water, scattered with chocolate chips around the sides.

    Step 3: Add your water to the mug with the cake mix.

    Red velvet cake batter mixed in a coffee mug, with chocolate chips on the side.

    Step 4: Mix together with a fork, just until no dry mix remains. Do not overmix.

    Red velvet cake batter in mug with chocolate chips inside and around.

    Step 5: If desired, add in chocolate chips or sprinkles.

    a cooked cake in a mug with chocolate chips.

    Step 6: Microwave for 1 minute. The top will appear a little wet in the center but the edges should look set.

    Step 7: Allow the cake to rest for 1-2 minutes to finish cooking and cooling.

    Serve warm and enjoy!

    a fork removing a bite of chocolate chip red velvet cake from a white mug.

    🍴 Recipe Tips

    1. You can easily halve this recipe! Just use ¼ cup of cake mix and 2 tablespoons of water for a smaller portion of cake. Microwave it for about 30 seconds due to the reduced quantity. Don't worry if the top center of the cake looks a bit wet—that's normal. As the cake cools, the small wet spot will evaporate. This is common even with from-scratch mug cakes like Blueberry Muffin in a Mug or Lemon Mug Cake.

    💭 Recipe FAQs

    Why do my mug cakes always fail?

    Different microwaves and mug sizes can play an important role in getting the cakes just right. Overcooking the cakes is usually the main culprit as they don't take very long to cook at all.

    Can I replace the water in cake mix with coffee?

    Yes. Using any liquid with the cake mix can add more flavor in every bite. Adding coffee can make chocolate cake mix taste richer and give a nice mocha flavor.

    Why are mug cakes so rubbery?

    If you overmix your mug cake ingredients you will get a rubbery cake. The same can happen if they're overcooked too.

    a forkful of cake removed from a mug filled with red velvet mug cake.

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    If you tried this cake mix mug cakes, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your feedback in the 📝 comments section below. I would truly appreciate it!

    📖 Recipe

    red velvet cake in a mug with chocolate chips.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Cake Mix Mug Cakes

    Make a single serving cake with this cake mix mug cake recipe. Perfect for a fast late night snack or celebratory treat! Made with two ingredients and in just a minute, this is a recipe you'll memorize in no time.
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 minute min
    Total Time 3 minutes mins
    Servings: 1 serving
    Calories: 158kcal
    Cost Recipe $0.16
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Microwave safe mugs
    • Measuring Cups
    • Fork
    • Microwave

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup dry cake mix *any flavor ($0.16)
    • ¼ cup water ($0.00)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Open a box of your favorite cake mix (any flavor).
    • Add the measured cake mix to a microwave safe mug and place the remaining mix in an airtight container and store for future use.
    • Add your water to the mug with the cake mix.
    • Mix together with a fork, just until no dry mix remains. Do not overmix.
    • If desired, add in chocolate chips or sprinkles.
    • Microwave for 1 minute. The top will appear a little wet in the center but the edges should look set.
    • Allow the cake to rest for 1-2 minutes to finish cooking and cooling.
    • Serve warm and enjoy!

    Notes

    Variations: Use any cake mix flavor like Chocolate, yellow, white, red velvet, spice cake, lemon cake, strawberry cake, etc. Avoid Angel food cake for best results.
    Recipe Tips: Halve the recipe for a smaller portion by using ¼ cup of cake mix and 2 tablespoons of water, microwaving for about 30 seconds. A slightly wet spot on the top center is normal and will evaporate as the cake cools.
    Recipe Add-Ins: Optionally, add 1-2 tablespoons of chocolate chips, sprinkles, shredded coconut, carrots, or zucchini. Topping the mug cake with whipped cream or powdered sugar is simple and optional.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 158kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 316mg | Potassium: 20mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 1mg
    Author Nicole Durham
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Diet Vegetarian
    Tried this recipe?Mention @BeeyondCereal on Instagram and hashtag it #BeeyondCereal
    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used. To view how this recipe was calculated you can visit my Pricing Disclosure Page for more information.

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    The proud owner and recipe developer behind BeeyondCereal. Here, I'm passionate about showing people how to navigate the kitchen with frugality in mind, whipping up family-friendly recipes that not only save money but also bring joy to every meal.

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