5-minute cake in a mug | How About Orange

November 20, 2008

5-minute cake in a mug

Since the last post got me in the mood for chocolate, I had to try this crazy-sounding recipe for microwaved cake in a mug. Verdict: not bad. I don't know what wattage my microwave is, but 2 min. 30 sec. was plenty of time. I used Hershey's Special Dark cocoa because that's all I have at the moment. And I didn't have cake flour so I used regular. It came out with an interesting, slightly rubbery texture that's pleasant in a fascinating, springy kind of way. I think I will make this again. Maybe.

(Update: A link to a forum with hilarious reviews of a recipe like this is right here. If you don't make the cake, at least read a few of the comments about it. Actually, after you do that, you won't want to make the cake.)

(2/6/2011 Update to the update: I now consistently use Squirrel Momma's version of this recipe. I've tried three different recipes for chocolate cake in a mug, and so far hers wins.)

52 comments:

Anonymous said...

So funny, I made chocolate cake in a mug last night, too. My recipe was a tiny bit different (3 tbs flour and sugar, no vanilla). I also enjoyed it, but felt that I cooked it a little too long (3 minutes), I think I'll try 2.5 next time. I love reading your posts...keep up the wonderful blogging!

Jessica Jones said...

Whoa. That's a crazy coincidence.

Jo said...

I tried that cake a couple of months ago - it's fun to make with a child! I posted some pictures of the process if you fancy a giggle! http://daisychaindesignsjewellery.blogspot.com/2008/09/chocolate-mug-cake.html

Grandma G said...

That looks like a good way to satisfy a chocolate craving! I'll have to give it a try soon. (I crave chocolate often! ;-) )

FYI (and everybody else's), instead of a cup of cake flour, you can use 1 cup minus 2 Tbs. regular flour.

Crazy Babs said...

But wait... no ORANGE striped cup?

Jessica Jones said...

I know. Pathetic, isn't it?

Andi said...

Yum!!! Will definitely be trying that one.

M. B. Karger said...

I second the idea that this would be a fun fix for a choco-craving. We made these in wafer-type ice cream cones waaaaaaaay back in middle school. De-lish.

Anonymous said...

Hi jess :)
actually this microwaved cake thing is used in the industry since ages : most of the long rectangular shaped cakes are cooked like that, that's why they do not have any brown crust and this slightly elastic texture instead.

you can bake like that any type of cake in a glass or ceramic mold whatever the shape, as long as it's the kind of dought that needs to raise with the heat (you cannot make pies for example). it should not be a cake that needs to caramelise on the outside either.

you can count 3 to 4 minutes for a regular cake, 4 to 5 minutes for a big cake, and 6 to 8 minutes for really jumbo cakes.

For a special occasion if you want to bake some really picture perfect and delicious little pastries, you can use plain white paper (typing machine paper) to make some little boxes, and fill them (1/2 to 2/3) with some supermarket premixed cake dough, any flavor will do the trick (or you can use homemade dough).

then you put the paper boxes on the microwave plate, quite close to each other. set the levels on high power, for 2 to 3 minutes.

the paper stays white, stands well, and your little cakes are really high and light. if you do not like the "non brown" look, you can add some frosting or melted chocolate on top of them. I love to make some when I invite friends at home :) .

the only hard part of this recipe is to let them cool before tasting one ! :D

Jessica Jones said...

I can make cakes in paper boxes??? OHMYGOSH I have to try this as soon as possible. Thank you so much for the tips!

Paul said...

We did this last week, too. I was surprised at its yumminess also!

Andrea said...

One of my favorite memories is of my grandpa sneaking into the kitchen to make a single serving of bread pudding in a cup!!

Katherine said...

I'd try this now if I had some cocoa.....hmmm...maybe I do. I'm off to look. Thanks for sharing your find :0)

Anonymous said...

Just tried this--texture's a bit funny, but it's good!

It reminds me of the rice cooker chocolate cake my mom used to make.

the fabled needle (jen) said...

ack, i'm going to make this! i don't care if it's going to be rubbery!!

Anonymous said...

How funny...my husband & I made this very same recipe last night. Neither one of us could eat it though. Not sure if we just didn't like the "springy texture" (great description, by the way) or what but it was not for us. However, while searching to see if I could find another recipe like it (hoping I did something wrong), I found this site. There are some VERY funny descriptions of this "cake." We spent more time reading this than eating our cake! Have fun!

Anonymous said...

I HAVE to try this. It looks and sounds really good. And I love your mug.

fav.or.it said...

I thought it was rubbery and fairly tasteless, alas.
This recipe tweaking that one was VASTLY better: http://www.sharonmattnadia.com/2008/11/cake-in-mug.html
I added 3 tbsp chocolate chips and left the milk powder/spices out.

sent from: fav.or.it

fav.or.it said...

PS for those of you who don't want to do a more complicated recipe, just use the egg white instead of the whole egg

sent from: fav.or.it

Katerina said...

'No Pudge Fudge' is the best!

There's a single serving microwavable recipe--2 tablespoons of No Pudge Fudge mix and 1 tablespoon of non-fat vanilla yogurt (or applesauce). High for 1 minute or so. Tastes like a brownie!

I get this stuff all the time:
http://www.nopudge.com/

alice said...

Wow that is a crazy idea to make a cake in a mug :)

Lauren The Artist said...

I've heard of this, but never known anyone to try it. Interesting. I'll have to add it to my to-do list.

Callie said...

My beloved and I attempted this a few nights ago... it was really kinda gross... What does it say about my constitution that I proceeded to eat the whole thing even after we declared it unfit?

Helen said...

I've made this too! It was okay to fix those chocolate cake cravings but maybe I overcooked it. It would've been nice a bit undercooked so it was gooey inside and with ice cream ontop hmmm.

Jessica Jones said...

Amber, that site you linked to is HILARIOUS! Thanks for all the tips, guys!

Liv said...

This is so perfect for me since my oven hasn't worked in over 2 months. Looks like I've found a way to satisfy my craving for a warm treat!! Thanks for sharing!!

gertru said...

I'm going to making it!
thanks for the idea!

Anonymous said...

I must have nuked mine too long. It tasted a bit like chocolate cardboard...not that I have eaten much cardboard. I thought about trying it again, but why temp myself with success? I would eat way to many mugs of chocolate cake.

Anonymous said...

I just read the site that Amber linked to and it was the funniest thing I've read all week! Thanks for a good Friday laugh!

Anonymous said...

It looks really pretty in your mug!

Neuroknitter said...

The perfect solution to having too much left over cake when just cooking for two! I thank you, and my Dear Hubby thanks you! :)

rachel said...

I made a microwave cake last year, following the manufacturer's own recipe book. It looked anaemic, but I was prepared for that. It smelled weird, like all its separate ingredients, but minus the magic that turns them into cake. All that was bad enough, but the texture was the worst - just how you'd imagine eating your latex mattress would be like. Never again! For the serious chocolate craving, a spoonful of Nutella will do, at a pinch...

Anonymous said...

I went & looked at the link you provided with the comments and it was pretty funny - but I have to say the comment & pics showing how to microwave Huevos Rancheros totally cracked me up.

Little Sister said...

srsly I am laughing my ass of right now :D http://kalleboo.mirror.waffleimages.com/files/31/319d9af2f4d0aaebb86b28c751132aa4b493c7f2.jpg
best pic everrrrrr :D

Sun said...

he he. we had 9 co workers try this 'cake'. the first was a 'pudding' while the last was a 'very damp cake' :) thanks for posting - nice picture :D

Anonymous said...

The texture was spongey. I guess this is just the building blocks of cake in a cup. This is a great Christmas idea, but with a little revamping. The cake was actually like dog food and I tasted to chocoloate at all.

But it has 'potential'

=Emily Jane

Jessica Jones said...

Well, maybe you know some pet owners who would like to make this for their puppies.

Smith Family said...

Not sure if I'm going to try this but the comments on the other site are a HOOT! They made for a good laugh at the end of the day.

Anonymous said...

I tried this once long ago and it was grisly. I recommend sending the recipe to that guy on the Travel Channel who does the bizzare food show.

Jill said...

I have never laughed so hard in my life as I did at those comments- the alternative recipe for huevos rancheros cracked me up!Thanks for sharing that site.....DH came in to the room to see why I was in a fit of giggles.

Anonymous said...

I like the girl who used strawberry quik as a substitute! It looked horrible.

Emilyt said...

Coincidentally this recipe made the email rounds at work last week. But, the forum link was hilarity that I've never experienced before. Almost p'd my pants. Thanks for that!

Jessica Jones said...

Yeah, that Strawberry Quik looked NASTY.

Lynnetta said...

I've tried this twice. Both times ended in horrible tasting and smelling results.

rocio said...

Haha...Trader Joe's sells a box mix for this. Or...something like this. But you know, a tastier version of this! It's called No Pudge Fudge and it's delicious!

Unknown said...

Looks like microwave mug cakes are all the rage these days - I posted a different recipe on my blog a few days back. I have tried similar recipes both with and without egg, and just wanted to say: the ones with egg always tasted like some rubbery disaster, whereas the ones without...YUM. And I only cook mine for about a minute :)

patricia zapata said...

I just saw that the other day and I was going to give it a try until I read the update link. lol. I guess there's nothing like the real deal.

Anonymous said...

Somebody in the forum thread said this cake was methadone for cake addicts. I think that's the perfect description. I think you have to really adore chocolate and cake to fin this satisfying. I put a little frosting on it, and found it very satisfactory for something made in 5 minutes. I got my fix.

Anonymous said...

Being a serious chocoholic, I had to redo that recipe. Completely. I wanted warm, gooey, and obscenely chocolate, and I think I may have accidently created something that is pretty much like chocolate crack (I'm hearing rumors of people making it more than once a day). Should you be curious...

http://squirrelmomma.typepad.com/squirrel_momma/2008/10/mug-ochocolate.html#trackback

Jessica Jones said...

Heck yeah, I'm trying that. Thanks!

Grandma G said...

Squirrelmomma, I tried your recipe tonight. Warm, gooey, and obscenely chocolate... right on the money!! YUMMY and then some! Sure to satisfy anyone's chocolate craving! Thanks for the recipe!!

Margeaux said...

I tried this......tastes like chocolate insulation. You know, the kind with the Pink Panther on it that you see at construction sites?