3-2-1 Microwave Mug Cake (+Video) (2024)

Home » Dessert Recipes » 3-2-1 Microwave Mug Cake (+Video)

ByBrandie January 30, 2023April 4, 2023

83 Comments

Jump to Recipe

3-2-1 Microwave Mug Cake is made with only two main ingredients and water. It whips up in minutes and is the perfect single serving dessert!

A SIMPLE DESSERT FOR ONE!

I truly don’t know the origins of this cake.I remember it being on the back of a Duncan Hines cake mix many years ago. If any of you who ever lived in a dorm or in a teeny tiny apartment that didn’t come with an oven, then you are probably very familiar with this recipe since learning to cook with a microwave can be it’s own art form when you don’t own an oven. It makes a deliciously quick dessert that satisfies any sweet tooth!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Can I use different cake mixes?

Use any type of cake mix you like.But it has to be mixed with the Angel Food Cake mix for this to work properly.Feel free to play with different toppings depending on the flavor of cake you use. Whipped cream, canned fruit fillings or fresh fruit are all great toppings to try.

What is a mug cake made of?

There are many different versions. This one is made with two different types of cake mixes mixed with water.

What does this taste like?

Mug cake has a sponge-like cake texture so it tastes very light and not like a heavy dessert at all.

Are microwave cakes safe?

Absolutely! We are cooking this long enough so that any raw flour in the mixes has been thoroughly cook. There aren’t any eggs in this recipe so you don’t have to worry about that being an issue.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

angel food cake mix
any flavor cake mix (Funfetti used here)
water
frosting

HOW TO MAKE MICROWAVE MUG CAKE:

Pour both dry cake mixes into a gallon-size Ziploc bag.

Zip it up tight and begin to shake it well to make sure cake mixes are combined thoroughly.In a microwave-safe mug (you do not need to grease the mug), combine 3 tablespoons of the combined cake mixes with 2 tablespoons of water.

Stir well until completely combined.Batter will get foamy as you stir.Then pop it into the microwave. Cook on high for 1 minute.

And that’s how it gets its name, 3-2-1 Microwave Mug Cake. I like to write the directions on the outside of the bag so everyone will know how to prepare it when they pull it out of the pantry.

To make:
3 Tablespoons mug cake mix
2 Tablespoons water
1 minute in the microwave.

When it’s finished, carefully take it out of the microwave (mug will be very warm.)Dab a little frosting on top (optional) and dig into the warm cake. You can eat the cake right out of the mugor you canrun your finger or abutter knife gently around the inside edge of the mug. Flip mug over on a plate.And dig in!

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?

Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug (+Video)
Homemade Pumpkin Mug Cake
Omelet in a Mug
Homemade Cinnamon Roll Cake (+Video)
Easy Homemade Chocolate Cake (+Video)

Original published: September 2015
Updated and republished: January 2023

3-2-1 Microwave Mug Cake (+Video)

3-2-1 Microwave Mug Cake is made with only two main ingredients and water. It whips up in minutes and is the perfect single serving dessert!

4.97 from 32 votes

Print Pin Rate Save

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 minute minute

Total Time: 6 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Author: Brandie @ The Country Cook

Ingredients

▢ 1 box Angel Food cake mix
▢ 1 box any flavor cake mix (I used Funfetti)

To prepare one serving:

▢ 2 Tablespoons water (for preparing)
▢ store-bought frosting (optional)

Instructions

Pour 1 box Angel Food cake mix and 1 box any flavor cake mix into a gallon-size Ziploc bag.
Zip it up tight and begin to shake it well to make sure cake mixes are combined thoroughly.
To prepare: In a microwave-safe mug (you do not need to grease the mug), combine 3 Tablespoons of the combined cake mixes with 2 Tablespoons water .
Stir well until completely combined. Batter will get foamy as you stir.
Then microwave for one minute. Top with some store-bought frosting, if desired.

Video

Notes

Rainbow Chip and Funfetti are two of our favorite cake mixes to use.
For One Serving:
3 tablespoons cake mix
2 tablespoons water
1 minute in the microwave.
When it’s finished, carefully take it out of the microwave (mug will be very warm.)Dab a little frosting on top (optional) and dig into the warm cake.
Or you can run your finger or a butter knife gently around the inside edge of the mug. Flip mug over on a plate. If you like, add a dollop of frosting on top.
Keep your bag of cake mix stored in your dry and cool pantry for up to 2 months. Use any type of cake mix you like. But it has to be mixed with the Angel Food Cake mix for this to work properly. Feel free to play with different toppings depending on the flavor of cake you use. Whipped cream, canned fruit fillings or fresh fruit are all great toppings to try.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

Did you make this recipe?Share it on Instagram @thecountrycook and mention us #thecountrycook!

Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug (+Video)
Pumpkin Mug Cake
Chocolate Pudding Bundt Cake
Hawaiian Poke Cake

4.97 from 32 votes (21 ratings without comment)

This is fantastically easy and so tasty. Living alone and cooking for one I am tickled no end to have a recipe like this. No left over cake to get tired of or stale. Light and fluffy and delicious. I used a can of cream cheese frosting and keep it in the fridge and when I take the cupcake out of the microwave just place a dollop of frosting on top and it melts across the cake. Heaven in a mug. Going to try the chocolate chip cookies next! Thanks of much for sharing with all of us.
Reply
1. Yay! That makes me so happy to hear Jeannine! I also am SO happy to hear you enjoy making a little something sweet for yourself. So many times I hear women just don’t want to because it’s just them. That bothers me because I think we (and by we, I mean women) often think that cooking and baking are only done for others. We forget that we matter too and it’s important to remind ourselves that we need to enjoy doing things just to make our own selves happy (and that means making ourselves a little something sweet – ha!) Thank you so much for taking the time to comment!
  Reply
Hi! Have you ever used like a disposable coffee cup or styrofoam cup? I am going to try this with my students in class but just wondering if it turns out pretty much the same.
Reply
1. Hi Bri – I haven’t actually. I wouldn’t use styrofoam as that will pretty much melt in the microwave. You could use some sort of paper cup I would think. I would definitely test it out first though and maybe spray it with a nonstick baking spray because the cake might stick to paper. I hope that makes sense! 🙂
  Reply
3,2,1 mug cake made this several times its delicious and so easy to make thanks for sharing
Reply
I use the sugar free chocolate or yellow cake mix added to the angel food cake mix! My diabetic hubby has a sweet tooth! Sometimes I add a tablespoon of finely chopped pecans into the mug just before putting it in the microwave!
He likes it with a 1% milk poured over the top instead of frosting! Been making this for him for years!
Reply