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Recipes

5 Mug Cakes to Satisfy Every Possible Sweet Craving

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at Cal Poly chapter.

Sometimes all you want in this world is something sweet. A warm, gooey, fragrant dessert could be just the thing you need to get through the week. 

But then the thoughts of sugar, calories, and fat set in. You could reach for some boxed, lightened-up snacks or desserts full of artificial sweeteners and chemicals, or you could make a super quick, super cute dessert made from all-natural ingredients found in almost every pantry. 

Making mug cakes are a quick and easy way to satisfy sweet cravings. We tested out five different unique mug cake recipes, and the results were delicious:

Vegan Chocolate Mug Cake

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 2 minutesCook time: 2 minutesTotal time: 4 minutesServings:1 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Lauren Arendt

    After spraying your mug with cooking spray, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in the mug.

  2. Lauren Arendt

    Add wet ingredients (oil, milk, and vanilla) and mix until well incorporated. You want minimal chunks for the best results.

  3. Lauren Arendt

    Stick the mug in the microwave for about 30 seconds at a time, being careful not to overcook. Try sticking a toothpick into the center to ensure it is cooked through.

Taste Test: The chocolate mug cake was incredible. Even after microwave cooking, it stayed moist and flavorful. The large ratio of cocoa powder gives it a deep, satisfying chocolate flavor. Coming in at around 200 calories, this little treat provides a sweet-fix without maxing out your calorie intake for the day. 

Vegan Peanut Butter Mug Cake

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 2 minutesCook time: 1 minuteTotal time: 3 minutesServings:1 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Lauren Arendt

    If you are using thick peanut butter, microwave it for about thirty seconds by itself in the mug to make it more easily mixable with the other ingredients.

  2. Lauren Arendt

    Combine all ingredients (leaving out the chocolate chips) in the mug and stir with a fork to ensure that ingredients are well incorporated.

  3. Lauren Arendt

    Fold chocolate chips into cake batter.

  4. Lauren Arendt

    Microwave in 30 second increments, making sure the cake does not over cook. Try the toothpick test to be sure that the center has fully cooked.

Taste Test: This mug cake comes out tasting like a fluffy, decadent peanut butter cookie. The texture is less like a slice of cake and more like a brownie and will be perfect for all of the peanut butter lovers out there. The peanut butter makes it a little more calorie-intensive, but the ingredients are all-natural and wholesome.

Vegan Funfetti Vanilla Mug Cake

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: minutesCook time: minutesTotal time: minutesServings:1 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Lauren Arendt

    Whisk all dry ingredients inside of an 8 oz mug.

  2. Lauren Arendt

    Add wet ingredients and mix until well incorporated. Add desired amount of sprinkles.

  3. Lauren Arendt

    Microwave until the center is cooked through, but be sure not to overcook. Try the toothpick test.

Taste Test: This cake is super cute and smells amazing coming out of the microwave. The sprinkles make it fun and the ingredients are light and satisfying. It is the perfect way to quench your sweet tooth using pure, light ingredients. 

Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 2 minutesCook time: 1 minuteTotal time: 3 minutesServings:1 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Lauren Arendt

    Combine dry ingredients in a small bowl.

  2. Lauren Arendt

    Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Pour mixture into a greased mug.

  3. Lauren Arendt

    Microwave until the center is fully cooked, but do not overcook. Try the toothpick test, and enjoy!

Taste Test: The simplicity of this mug cake makes it perfect in a time crunch. Even though it contains minimal ingredients, the warm cinnamon-sweet is extremely satisfying a flavorful.

Vegan Banana Bread in a Mug

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 2 minutesCook time: 1 minuteTotal time: 3 minutesServings:1 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Lauren Arendt

    Combine dry ingredients in a small bowl.

  2. Lauren Arendt

    Mix wet ingredients and incorporate thoroughly. Scoop mixture into a greased mug.

  3. Lauren Arendt

    Microwave until the center is fully cooked, but do not over cook. Try the toothpick test.

  4. Lauren Arendt

    For a sweet topping, combine cinnamon, brown sugar, mashed banana, and coconut oil (optional).

Taste Test: This mug cake tastes exactly like banana bread. If overcooking is avoided, the cake remains moist and smells heavenly. The topping is a great addition in terms of varying the texture, however is completely optional.

I am a journalism student with a passion for exploring and experimenting with the world of vegetarian/vegan food. It really does taste better if it looks amazing!