These mug cake recipes make great supper snacks
Baking is a great hobby to pick up during this Circuit Breaker. But if your house is getting a little overstocked with your sweet creations, these single-serving mug cake recipes are perfect for a quick dessert. Skip the cumbersome oven and family-sized cheesecakes, and opt for these microwavable treats instead.
Do take note that every microwave heats at different power levels. You might have to tinker with your heat settings to get the perfect mug cake.
1. Mug Apple Crumble
Image credit: @keepingthingssweet
If you’re looking for a warm snack to get cosy with before bed, this comforting Mug Apple Crumble might do the trick. This microwavable dessert comes out piping hot, with a juicy apple filling and a crunchy crumble topping.
Image credit: @kristyna_inthekitchen
Just like in traditional apple crumble pies, the apples are tossed with flour, sugar, and a little bit of cinnamon to inject them with the aroma of warm spices. To achieve a crunchier texture in the topping, use rolled oats instead of quick-cook or instant oats.Â
Yield: Serves 1
Time needed: 10 minutes
Ingredients
Crumble topping:
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup oats
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
½ tsp cinnamon
â…› tsp salt
Apple filling:
1 apple, chopped
2 tsp flour
2 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp brown sugar
â…› tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Steps:
- In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for the crumble topping and mix well.
- In a separate bowl, combine all the ingredients of the apple filling and toss together until the apples are well coated.
- Pour the apple filling into a microwave-safe mug, and top it with the crumble topping.
- Microwave for around three minutes. The apples should come out bubbling, and the total volume of the mixture should have been reduced.
- Let it cool for at least five minutes, and serve with a scoop of ice cream.
Recipe adapted from Pickled Plum’s post.
2. Cheesecake In A Mug
Image credit: @lulus.kitchen
This Cheesecake In A Mug is basically a microwavable cheesecake that you can easily recreate on a whim. Made with leftover ingredients from recent baking escapades, this dessert is a great way to clear the pantry.
Image credit: @morninglightandcoffee
Make your mini cheesecakes in a glass cup or jar to revel in the beautiful cheesecake layers. Add some finishing touches with fresh fruits or jam.
Yield: Serves 1
Time needed: 10 minutes
Ingredients
Crust:
½ cup cookie crumbs
2 tbsp butter, melted
Cheesecake filling:
¼ block or 60g cream cheese, softened, room temperature
2 tbsp sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp sour cream
1 egg, room temperature
Steps:
- Divide the cookie crumbs and melted butter between two mugs, mix well. Press the crust firmly into the bottom of the mugs.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, sour cream, and egg together, making sure to get rid of all the lumps.
- Pour the cheesecake filling over the crumbs. Microwave for at least three minutes, one minute at a time with 10-second rests in between, until cheesecake is no longer runny.
- Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before serving.
Recipe adapted from My Food and Family’s post.
3. Milo Mug Cake
Image credit: @whittypaleo
There’s no argument that Milo is one of the best breakfast drinks from our childhood. In fact, many of us still integrate a cup of the chocolate malt drink in our daily routine Instead of a cup of warm Milo in the morning, try upgrading your breakfast game with this Milo Mug Cake that’s deliciously chocolatey and moist.
Image credit: @xunnyisaida
Lazy bakers rejoice! It takes only five minutes to whip up a giant serving of this nostalgic mug cake, and you can even double or triple the recipe to make a portion for the whole family.Â
Yield: Serves 1
Time needed: 5 minutes
Ingredients
2 tbsp flour
4 tbsp Milo powder
2Â tbsp cocoa powder
¼ tsp baking powder
2Â tbsp sugar
2 tbsp milk
½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp condensed milk
1 egg
1 tsp Milo powder for dusting (optional)
Steps:
- In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients. Whisk well to get rid of all the clumps.
- Pour the batter into a large microwave-safe mug. Microwave for three minutes.
- Dust the Milo powder over, and serve the mug cake warm.
Recipe adapted from Fried Chillies’ post.
Those who are true fans of Milo, try out this high-level Triple Milo Crepe Cake recipe instead!
Triple Milo Crepe Cake Recipe: Milo Dinosaur Cake Featuring Milo Ganache, Batter, And Filling
4. Sticky Date Mug Cake
Image credit: @burtree_puddings
In the spirit of Hari Raya, we’ve incorporated sweet dates into this Sticky Date Mug Cake, as an alternative way to enjoy the fruit. Softened, chopped dates are incorporated into a brown sugar cake sponge. To further zhng it up, drizzle generously with an easy microwave-caramel sauce.
Image credit: @cookingwithtialisa
If you want, throw in some chopped walnuts or pecans to add some crunchiness as well as a bitter nuttiness to balance out the sweet sponge.Â
Yield: Serves 1
Time needed: 10 minutes
Ingredients
Sticky dates:
2 tbsp dates, roughly chopped
1 ½ tbsp hot water
â…› tsp baking soda
Cake batter:
1 ½ tbsp butter
1 ½ tbsp brown sugar
1 ½ tbsp flour
â…› tsp baking powder
2 tbsp egg, beaten
Caramel sauce (optional):
2 tsp unsalted butter, melted
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp heavy whipping cream
Salt
Steps:
- In a microwave-safe mug, place the chopped dates, water, and baking soda. Microwave for 50 seconds.
- Add in the butter and stir until it’s completely melted.Â
- Add in the sugar, flour, baking powder, and egg. Stir until well-combined, then microwave for 75 seconds.
- To make the caramel sauce, place melted butter in a separate microwave-safe mug. Add brown sugar, heavy whipping cream, and a pinch of salt. Microwave for 30 seconds.
- Remove from the microwave and give it a good stir. Microwave for another 15 seconds, or until thickened.
- Gently flip the cake out onto a plate and top generously with caramel sauce.Â
Recipe adapted from Bigger Bolder Baking and Epicurious’ posts.
5. Molten Lava Chocolate Mug Cake
Image credit: @foodaddict_._
Molten lava chocolate cake is one of my favourite desserts to order at fancy restaurants. It takes both skill and precision to perfect this chocolatey dessert’s lightly baked sponge and warm gooey centre. Fortunately, we have this Molten Lava Chocolate Mug Cake which is basically a 10-minute hack of that fancy decadent dessert.
Image credit: @sunday_bakers
You can use either milk or dark chocolate, or even a mix of both, depending on how sweet you prefer it. Do take note that every microwave heats at different power levels, so make sure to keep an eye on your mug cake lest it becomes fully cooked through!
Yield: Serves 1
Time needed: 10 minutes
Ingredients
¼ cup flour
¼ cup sugar
2 tbsp cocoa powder
½ tsp baking powder
â…› tsp salt
3 tbsp butter, melted
3 tbsp milk
1 egg, beaten
¼ tsp vanilla extract
30g semi-sweet or dark chocolate
1 tbsp water
Steps:
- In a large, microwave-safe mug, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Add in the melted butter, milk, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Mix together till well-combined.
- Roughly chop chocolate into chunks and place it into the centre of the mixture. There is no need to press the chocolate into the batter since it will sink as the mug cake bakes. Gently spoon one tablespoon of water over the mixture.
- Microwave for 75 seconds, and check on the mug cake. If the edges of the cake are set and the centre is slightly wet, let it cool. If not, microwave in 10-second intervals until the mug cake is done.
- Let it cool for five minutes, and top with a scoop of ice cream or a dusting of icing sugar.
Recipe adapted from Cleobuttera’s post.
6. Mug Cinnamon Roll
Image credit: @okonomikitchen
Actual cinnamon rolls can take up to three hours to make from scratch, and that’s too much work for a lazy baker like myself. This Mug Cinnamon Roll recipe can be completed in just a fraction of that time, and you don’t even need an oven to bake it.
Image credit: @marmelada_de_naranja
Make your own three-ingredient cream cheese frosting to spread on the warm cinnamon roll, and enjoy it just like you would the yeasty baked treat!
Yield: Serves 1
Time needed: 15 minutes
Ingredients
Cinnamon roll:
¾ cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
4 to 5 tbsp milk
¾ tsp cinnamon
1 ½ tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
Butter
½ tsp water
Frosting:
3 tbsp icing sugar
¾ tsp milk
2 tbsp cream cheese, softened (optional)
Steps:
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt together. Gradually add milk to the mixture, mixing in between additions until the dough comes together.
- Dust a surface with some flour, and roll out the dough into a long strip, approximately eight to ten centimetres in length.
- In a separate bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Spread the cinnamon mixture evenly on the dough, then roll it up.
- Lightly grease a large, microwave-safe mug with butter. Fit the cinnamon roll snugly into the mug and sprinkle ½ teaspoon of water over the roll.
- Microwave for 45 to 60 seconds till the dough has risen and been cooked.
- For the frosting, combine icing sugar, milk, and cream cheese in a bowl and mix until smooth.
- Spread the frosting over the top of the cinnamon roll and serve warm.
Recipe adapted from A Virtual Vegan’s post.
7. Pandan Coconut Mug Cake
Image credit: @lacanastagt
Pandan and coconut are two ingredients that are made to be together, forever. In this Pandan Coconut Mug Cake, we combined the two popular local flavours to make an aromatic and fluffy green sponge cake.
Image credit: @asianinspirations.com.au
This mug cake is lightly sweetened, so it’s not too jelak to be eaten with a cold scoop of ice cream on top. Make sure to use good quality pandan essence or paste to nail the pandan aroma. Otherwise, you can also add a teaspoon or two of concentrated pandan juice to intensify its flavour.
Yield: Serves 1
Time needed: 5 minutes
Ingredients
1 tbsp coconut oil, liquid
½ tsp pandan essence
2 tbsp coconut milk or whole milk
2 tbsp sugar
1 egg, beaten
¼ cup flour
¼ tsp baking powder
1 tbsp desiccated coconut (optional)
Steps:
- In a microwave-safe mug, combine all the ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Microwave for two to three minutes until the mug cake is just cooked.
- Serve with a scoop of coconut ice cream or dust with icing sugar.
Recipe adapted from Eatnik’s post.
8. Mug Banana Bread
Image credit: @collectiveyum
Banana bread is one of my favourite treats to bake at home since it fills the whole house with a glorious, mouth-watering aroma. This Mug Banana Bread may be much smaller, but it certainly tastes just as fragrant as a loaf of banana bread.
Image credit: @kitchen_em
Besides being a delicious and semi-healthy snack, this moist mug treat is also an easy way to use up that last overripe banana. In fact, the more ripe the banana, the better. It will make the mug cake extra moist and concentrated with the fragrance of banana.Â
Yield: Serves 1
Time needed: 5 minutes
Ingredients
3 tbsp flour
1 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp brown sugar
â…› tsp salt
â…› tsp baking powder
â…› tsp baking soda
1 egg, beaten
¼ tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp flavourless vegetable oil
1 tbsp milk
1 very ripe banana, mashed
Banana slices (optional)
Steps:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together all the ingredients till well-combined.
- Lightly grease a microwave-safe mug and pour batter in. Microwave for three minutes.
- Let it cool and top with more banana slices.
Recipe adapted from Pass The Sushi’s post.
9. Nutella Mug Cake
Image credit: @sucredreams
Slap some of this magical chocolate hazelnut spread on any sweet snack to immediately take it up a notch. We love Nutella on toast, or even straight out of the jar with a spoon, but this super moist Nutella Mug Cake is truly a thing of our dreams.
Image credit: @whitecartrails
Using only three ingredients and no more than five minutes, this dessert is one of the simplest creations on our mug cake recipes list. The most difficult step in the recipe is probably the wait for the mug cake to cool off before you can dig in!
Yield: Serves 1
Time needed: 5 minutes
Ingredients
4 tbsp Nutella spread
1 egg
½ tsp cocoa powder
Steps:
- In a microwave-safe mug, combine all the ingredients and mix till well combined.
- Microwave for 70 seconds. The cake should be set around the edges but slightly wet in the centre.Â
- Let it cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Recipe adapted from Kirbie’s Cravings’ post.
10. Honey Mug Cake
Image credit: @jerf4life
This Honey Mug Cake is the best pick-me-up treat. It’s a soft sponge cake with a gooey centre. Flavour-wise, the cake is sweet with subtle caramel notes from the honey and brown sugar.
Image credit: @lunaressobreelmantel
Top this mug cake with tart fruits, such as strawberries or raspberries, to balance out the sticky, sweet sponge. Alternatively, throw in some dark chocolate chunks to create a bittersweet honey mug cake!
Yield: Serves 1
Time needed: 5 minutes
Ingredients
2 tbsp butter, melted
2 tbsp honey
1 egg, beaten
½ tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp brown sugar
4 tbsp flour
¼ tsp baking powder
â…› tsp salt
Steps:
- In a microwave-safe mug, combine the butter, honey, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- Add in the brown sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt, then stir well till there are no more lumps.
- Microwave for at least 75 seconds, till the mug cake has risen and is set on the top.
- Let it cool and drizzle honey over before serving.
Easy mug cake recipes for a quick dessert
Whether you’re looking for simple desserts to whip up with your family, or just feeling a little peckish, try these mug cake recipes for a legit sugar fix. On top of that, these single-serving treats are also a great way to use up leftover ingredients from your baking adventures!
10 No-Bake Cake Recipes Including Rice Cooker Japanese Cheesecake And Milo Crepe Cake
If you want in on the baking craze but don’t own an oven, we’ve got you covered with these beginner-friendly no-bake cake recipes. For more lazy single-pot recipes, check out this rice cooker oyakodon recipe.
Feature image adapted from @asianinspirations.com.au, @okonomikitchen, @sucredreams, @morninglightandcoffee.
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