How to make mug cakes
Got a craving for cake? All you need is a few store cupboard basics, a microwave and a mug and you'll be all set to make a marvellous mug cake...
Mug cakes are the ultimate easy bake. Just mix the wet and dry ingredients together with whatever flavour you fancy, dollop into your favourite mug and microwave away.
They're perfect for when you want to make the most of basic ingredients and create some comforting cake. Kids can get involved in cooking up these mini marvels and as you'll only use up a small amount of equipment in your kitchen, you won't even have to worry about cleaning up afterwards. Simply spoon into your mug and enjoy!
What you need
- A mug
- Weighing scales
- A fork for mixing
- A microwave
Cakes can be made by combining equal parts of sugar, fat, flour and eggs, so for the archetypal sponge, these basic cake ingredients will be all you need. Weigh one small egg out of its shell and use equal measures of flour, butter and sugar to match. It's easiest to use self-raising flour for a consistent cake. If you mix your ingredients well enough, you can't go far wrong.
You can even bake in bulk and branch out from the mug to a microwavable dish with our microwave coffee & walnut cake.
Fab store cupboard flavours
The mug cake is a versatile creation. Try adding some chocolate chips, a spoonful of peanut butter, crushed up Oreos or sprinkle in some fresh raspberries for a delicious added extra. A dash of vanilla essence, a splash of coffee or melted chocolate can make your cake extra moist and just that little bit special.
Our fastest-ever lemon pudding uses the equal measures method, along with a generous spoonful of lemon curd and lemon zest to make a cake that's tangy and delicious. This versatile recipe is also easily doubled or halved, so you can mix up several mugs at once if you're feeding a crowd.
You could even go the extra mile with this microwave chocolate cake and mix up a ganache for an impressive dessert when you've got a few minutes to spare.
Tips for baking
- Make sure to leave a little room - about 1/3 of the mug, so the cake has room to rise.
- It's also a good idea to keep an eye on your creation to avoid it turning rock hard and drying out. The top should be firm and springy after sufficient cooking - if you're unsure, bake in 30-second bursts. Sometimes adding a splash of milk to your mix will prevent it from drying out and keep it soft and spongey.
- Remember to let your cake stand after cooking for a minute or so and don't worry if it sinks - mug cakes tend to dip after cooking, but they still taste great.
Serve up your deceptively easy pud with a spoonful of ice cream and perhaps a drizzle of liqueur for the easiest possible indulgence. Kids will love getting involved in decorating their cup creations too, so be sure to get the hundreds and thousands out!
Now you've got the know how, try out these hot mocha puddings you can mix up in minutes.
What's your favourite mug cake marvel? Let us know in the comments below...
Comments, questions and tips
