The ultimate post on chocolate mug cakes
I love to bake so much. I’ve often filled my entire freezer with cakes and loaves and sponges because I’ve spent a contented 48 hours tied to my KitchenAid and oven. I’m not the worlds best baker, but I have enthusiasm and practise and that is what counts?
What I dislike about baking is the mess. The cake splatter everywhere. All the washing up. Burnt edges on baking tin. Food colouring on the cupboards. Feeling sick from licking the spoon. AND THE TIME. If I’ve decided I want a cake, I want it – right now. No preparation and then 30 minutes to bake.
Unless you’ve been under a rock for some time, you can’t fail to have seen the endless versions of the “mug cake” doing the rounds on the internet. It is simple. Ingredients in a mug. Microwave. Eat. Under five minutes, maximum. I’ve played with various versions of this cake, and had a go at concocting my only recipe according to taste and texture and what I had in the cupboard. I rarely have eggs, so this is an eggless version and most of the ingredients you will find in your cupboards and fridge. Now go forth and microwave.
Basic ingredients & method
- 4 tbsp caster sugar
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 4 tbsp flour
- 3 tbsp milk
- 3 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp vanilla essesnce
Now here is the tricky bit… you put all the dry ingredients in a mug. You then add all the wet ingredients. You mix. You pop into the microwave for about 2 minutes and then et voila! Perfect gooey squiggly chocolate cake ready to eat with a spoon.
This is quite possibly the easiest cake you’ll ever “bake”. Make sure you don’t over cook it (because burnt chocolate cake in a mug is horrid). You’ll know best how powerful your microwave is, so you might want to blast it a little at a time. I prefer mine a little undercooked if I am honest, but you’ll get the hang of how you like it.
Often I’ll eat straight from the mug, but if I’m feeling posh, this cake goes PERFECTLY with a spot of creme fraiche. You could serve with whatever you fancy – its a great last minute after dinner pud.
Style it up
Have you had your fill of this basic recipe? I’m not sure how you could tire of a cake you can make in under five minutes, but I understand – variety is the spice of life! Here are some awesome ways to pimp up your mug cake to the max -
- A dollop of peanut butter pushed into the centre of the mixture is magical
- Chocolate chips, both milk and plain mixed in
- Berries of any variety – blueberry, raspberry. Yum.
- Add some chopped nuts or dried fruit into the mixture for a little bit of texture
- Add some Baileys or other choice of alcohol – just keep the consistency right by adding less of the milk
- Forgo the chocolate (shocked face!) and make a plain sponge
- Add some jam to the middle of your plain sponge for a version of the classic victoria
- Red velvet mug cake? No problem – add red food colouring to the mix and less chocolate
Literally – once you’ve got used to the required consistency, you can do ANYTHING with this cake. have a play – and if you come up with a culinary masterpiece, don’t forget to tell us in the comments below!
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Holy moly – this looks amazing. I feel slightly ashamed to say I’ve never tried it! I will now!
[...] my healthy eating plan out of the water. What am I talking about? None other than the best chocolate mug cake ever! A chocolate hug in a mug - it only takes 3 minutes max from start to finish! Talk about [...]
[...] to a corner shop chocolate bar ever. What am I talking about? None other than the best chocolate mug cake ever! A chocolate hug in a mug - it only takes 3 minutes max from start to finish! [...]