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    Home » Recipes » Cakes

    Published: May 22, 2023 Modified: May 22, 2023 by Nicole This post may contain affiliate links.

    Cake Mix Mug Cakes

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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.

    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.

    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 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.

    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!
    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.
    Jump to:
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🍽 Equipment Needed
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🍴 Recipe Tips
    • 🥣 Recipe Add-Ins
    • 💭 FAQs
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments
    labeled ingredients needed to make cake mix mug cake

    🥘 Ingredients

    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. I do not recommend an angel food cake mix.

    Water- To hydrate the mix, you will need some regular tap water.

    For specific quantities, see the recipe card below.

    🍽 Equipment Needed

    BeeyondCereal is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.

    • Microwave safe mugs
    • Measuring Cups
    • Fork
    • Microwave

    🔪 Instructions

    Check out how to make Cake Mix Mug Cakes with these simple step-by-step 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 it for future use.

    aerial view inside cup with red cake mix and water. scattered chocolate chips around the side of the cup

    Add your water to the mug with the cake mix.

    mixed red velvet cake batter inside of a coffee mug with chocolate chips to the side

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

    red velvet cake batter in a mug with chocolate chips inside and around the mug

    If desired, add in chocolate chips or sprinkles.

    aerial view of a cooked cake in a mug with chocolate chips

    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!

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

    📖 Variations

    You can use any flavor of cake mix desired including (but not limited to) Chocolate, yellow, white, red velvet, spice cake, lemon cake, strawberry cake, etc. The only cake mix I do not recommend using is Angel food cake as it will not turn out as well as other cake varieties.

    🍴 Recipe Tips

    You can halve this recipe!

    By using ¼ cup of cake mix and 2 tablespoons of water you can have a smaller portion of cake. Note that you'll only need to microwave it for about 30 seconds due to the smaller quantity.

    The top center of the cake will appear a little wet, and this is okay. As the cake cools, the small wet spot will evaporate.

    🥣 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.

    💭 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 form a mug filled with red velvet mug cake

    More great microwave recipes to check out soon

    • Oreo Popcorn
    • Easter Mini Eggs Fudge
    • Microwave Yellow Squash
    • Microwave Grilled Cheese

    📖 Recipe

    close up of 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 Boxed cake mix (any flavor-just the dry stuff!) ($0.16)
    • ¼ cup Water ($0.00)

    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

    • You can use any flavor of cake mix desired including (but not limited to) Chocolate, yellow, white, red velvet, spice cake, lemon cake, strawberry cake, etc. The only cake mix I do not recommend using is Angel food cake as it will not turn out as well as other cake varieties.

    Recipe Tips

    • You can halve this recipe!
    • By using ¼ cup of cake mix and 2 tablespoons of water you can have a smaller portion of cake. Note that you'll only need to microwave it for about 30 seconds due to the smaller quantity.
    • The top center of the cake will appear a little wet and this is okay. As the cake cools, the small wet spot will evaporate.

    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.

    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 NicoleDurham
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Tried this recipe?Mention @BeeyondCereal on Instagram and hashtag it #BeeyondCereal
    To view how this recipe was calculated you can visit my Pricing Disclosure Page for more information.

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    I'm Nicole and I am the owner and recipe developer here at Beeyond Cereal. I love saving money and one of the best places to trim expenses is in the kitchen. With this site, we are serving up tasty and frugal homemade dishes that the whole family will enjoy.

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