For me, mug cakes are a little piece of home. Ever since I was a little girl, I would stand in the kitchen at night with my mom lazily throwing together some dessert concoction. Whether it be a brownie sundae or a cookie sandwich, we had so much fun whipping together the contents of our kitchen in order to feast on the most decadent dessert we could possibly create with the ingredients available.
It is these moments of laughing and smiling uncontrollably with my mom in our cozy kitchen that I miss the most while I'm away in college. As a first-year, I often find myself counting down the days until I'm a junior who can live off campus in a house with a kitchen where I’ll be able to bake my heart out. However, until then, I am trying to make the most of a dorm room experience. Enter: the mug cake. With just a few ingredients, I’m able to recreate the childhood memories that I hold so close to my heart. Check out my 5 favorite recipes below!
Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips
1 dash vanilla
Directions
1. Add dry ingredients to a coffee mug and mix well.
2. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
3. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
4. Add the chocolate chips and vanilla essence, mix again.
5. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes.
6. Allow to cool a little and then dig in!
Funfetti Cake
Ingredients
2 ¼ cup flour
2 tablespoons sugar
¼ tablespoons baking powder
¼ cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon sprinkles
Directions
1. In a mug, mix dry ingredients until combined and then add wet ingredients until batter is smooth.
2. Microwave for 1.5 minutes (give or take 30 seconds) and then enjoy!
Cookies & Cream
Ingredients
4 tablespoons flour
3 tablespoons sugar
½ teaspoon baking powder
2 oreos, crushed
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
1. Mix all ingredients together in a mug until combined.
2. Microwave on high for 1.5-2 minutes.
3. Let it cool for one minute before eating!
Coffee Cake
Ingredients
2½ tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
⅛ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon vegetable oil or Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon milk
Dash of vanilla
Directions
1. Add all ingredients together in a mug until just combined.
2. Microwave for 45 seconds.
Blueberry Muffin
Ingredients
¼ cup flour
1 tablespoon brown sugar
¼ teaspoon baking powder
⅛ teaspoon salt
½ tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons milk
1-2 tablespoons frozen blueberries
Directions
1. In a mug, stir together dry ingredients until mixed well.
2. Add butter to the mug and mix until combined.
3. Stir the milk into the butter and flour mixture until it resembles a thick muffin batter. If too dry, add some more milk.
4. Add blueberries on top and push them down into the batter.
5. Microwave for approximately 90 seconds.
6. Add maple syrup on top if desired.
Now, I know that you may be thinking "Where/how do I store these ingredients?" and “But I don’t actually have any time to make these recipes!”
Well, I have some solutions for you. First, I know that storing flour, sugar, or any baking ingredients in a dorm room might seem impractical. However, I have dedicated a shelf in my room to storing standard baking ingredients that don't spoil easily. This has allowed me to cook up a mug cake at any given time, a convenience which becomes especially comforting during midterm season (during those ridiculously late nights of studying!). Secondly, all of the above recipes can be made in less than 5 minutes, so don't require much time. Incredible, right?
Now that I’ve convinced you, I hope you try these recipes out for yourself. Whether you are longing to feel a sense of home-like comfort, or whether you just want to be challenged to create something sweet in record time, I guarantee these recipes will leave you satisfied, yet hungry for more!