At this harrowing time in our lives I think it’s safe to say that there has never been a greater need for Cake in a Cup.
Like most people, I can tell you exactly where I was during certain momentous world events. When I found out John F. Kennedy Jr. died I was talking on the phone to my friend Renee. For the O.J. Simpson verdict I was in the lobby of CBC television studios. And for Cake in a Cup, I was browsing Stumble Upon.
Remember Stumble Upon?
After seeing the recipe for Cake in a Cup I jumped out of my computer chair and bounced, Tigger-style towards the cupboard. Everything I needed to make an actual chocolate cake inside of a coffee cup in 3 minutes FLAT, had been inside my cupboard my whole life and I had NO idea.
Cake in a Cup Recipe (s)
This good old cake in a cup takes basic cupboard ingredients like flour, sugar and cocoa to make what is essentially an INSTANT cake that you cook in the microwave.
Perfect for a midnight snack, easy dessert or binge watching buddy while you’re living the life of a shut in. The perfect companion to Netflix is mug cake. Everyone says so.
What’s in it? Basic ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder salt, milk, vegetable oil. An egg and chocolate chips are optional.
The one thing this cake doesn’t require is love. THIS IS NOT A CAKE MADE WITH LOVE, it is a cake made out of insanity and necessity.
How do you make it? Just like a tiny cake. Mix your dry ingredients like the sugar, cocoa, baking powder and flour together in a microwave safe mug.
Stir them up well.
Add in your wet ingredients.
Stir those up.
And then cook it as all the world’s best desserts are cooked – in the microwave on high.
This is O.K. on it’s own, but really like my sour cream, cilantro, cheese topped homemade chili, it’s all about the toppings. Add frozen berries, powdered sugar, whipped cream or chocolate shavings to elevate this chocolate mug cake. Or, ORRRRR top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
That’s how you turn this into something – well, something a little more impressive than what it is – an emergency dessert to be used in dire circumstances. Like right now.
I made this recipe on one of the bazillion television shows that I hosted.
This cake in a cup recipe is to be used in a chocolate craving emergency! It’s kind of like jello … you might not want to serve it at a dinner party, but sitting all by your lone self in a bathrobe on the sofa it’s perfectly acceptable.
Now, let’s be honest here for a second, shall we? I know this is the Internet and that sort of thing is often frowned upon, but just for kicks … let’s be honest.
CAKE IN A CUP IS GENIUS! It may be the greatest invention ever, second only to potato chip flavoured toothpaste (fingers crossed someone has this one in the works).
Is it the most delicious cake you’ve ever had in your life? Well, that depends on how drunk you are.
It’ll certainly be the most fun and fastest cake you’ve ever made in your life.
I expect you’ll be adding this to your very own list of “remember where you were” momentous occasions.
Cake in a Cup.
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsps flour all purpose or cake
- 4 Tbsps sugar
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 2 Tbsps cocoa
- 2 Tbsps vegetable oil
- 5 Tbsps milk
- 1 Tbsp Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- Add dry ingredients to a microwaveable mug. Stir to combine.
- Add oil and milk.
- Mix well, making sure to incorporate all the dry ingredients hiding at the bottom of the cup.
- Top with a couple of tablespoons of chocolate chips. These will sink down into the middle of the cake when you cook it.
- Microwave on high for 1.5 minutes.*
Video
Notes
- Cut the sugar back to 3 tablespoons and omit the chocolate chips to save over 100 calories.
Nutrition
For those of you who don’t know (my mother) Stumble Upon was an Internet network from the olden days (before Pinterest) with some of the best information on the Internet. Quick hits of brilliance. And a few toads. It still exists by the way, under the name of Mix.
→Follow me on Instagram where I often make a fool of myself←
I just had a revelation.
Cake in a Cup = Cupcake
In the 6th paragraph, you list baking powder as an ingredient. But I don’t see it listed in the actual recipe? Do we need it?
Cake in a cup sounds like a great solution for so many of life’s problems. World peace would probably breakout if everyone had a microwave (great potential for a new government program) and every one baked themselves a cake in a cup each day. I am appalled however that it has 666 kilocalories. Are 666 kcals a sign it is actually evil?
This is very similar to ours 3 2 1 cakes.
It is considered mandatory packing to tale a Mason jar of 3 2 1 mix to college. Friends of the student with the jar of 3 2 1 mix are frequently gifted with same mix for Christmas and birthdays. If you are really special, you may also receive a jar of homemade sweetened condensed milk to do with it! (When living with a person of Newfoundland heritage, one learns that “Newfoundland cream” can be added to most desserts ).
Seriously, how do you not have your own amazingly successful YouTube channel by now? All that sleeping I bet.
Made it without the b. powder last night. Turned out just fine! will adjust recipe next time and see if it’s any different. I didn’t have any chocolate chips, so cut a Bailey’s chocolate in half and put them both in, YUM!!!!
Why in hell would you tell me how to reduce the calories?!? I was just thinking of substituting half and half for the milk! These are times that try women’s souls. And waistlines.
LOL I was all excited to try this until I saw the calorie count. I can’t eat that many calories for a midnight snack because I don’t want to cut down on my wine calories.
LOL I was all excited to try this until I saw the calorie count. I can’t eat that many calories for a midnight snack because I don’t want to cut down on my wine calories.
The question burning in my mind is that oh-so-picturesque board. It’s so rough, I would have to take that board outside to my # 3 washtub and scrub all the flour and sugar out after I made the cake. That’s how I talk myself out of cooking and just eat all the chocolate chips while I read this.
April 15, 2020 *** Please be advised – The PRINTED recipe omits a key ingredient:
1/4 tsp baking powder.
I do have it all in my house – lunch will never be the same. I’ll get the grands to make their own while calling it a math lesson and we will all be happy as clams? Where on earth did that saying come from?
Good morning, in your video you mention 3 minutes in microwave but recipe says 1.5. Also is self raising flour the same as cake flour. Thank you 😊
I want to try this, but I live at 5000 ft. elevation. This requires some high altitude adjustments in baking cakes. This cake in a mug uses far less ingredients than a regular cake recipe. Has anyone figured out how to adapt this recipe?
Hi Karen.
I read your post last night at 2:00 a.m. awakened by the raindrops pummelling my skylight in my picturesque confines here on Cape Cod.
Although my immediate impulse was to pop out of bed and return with a hot mug of chocolate cake before the covers could cool, I managed to restrain myself until breakfast.
I mixed up the recipe ingredients and was poised to pop it in the microwave when I recalled something from 2am about baking powder. Rechecked the recipe… no baking powder…rechecked the text…baking powder….
Hmmm… slight panic, no time to think, the clock was ticking… I had promised myself cake in 4 minutes!
So I threw some baking powder into the wet mix, stirred it up and tossed it in the microwave for a minute, hoping for the best but knowing that whatever came out would be chocolate and edible, my only 2 criteria at the moment.
It cooked up in 1 minute, and I ate it in 30 seconds, which, combined, is exactly how long it takes my dog Hazel to do her business in the rain!
It came out fluffy and delicious.
I mean the cake. Obviously.
Needless to say, I couldn’t have possibly waited for a reply, but could you please confirm about the baking powder, since I’m planning on making it for every meal until this quarantine is over.
Do you think I could put protein powder in it for dinner?
Thank you so much! I don’t know how I missed that, I’m so glad you let me know. Yes, 1/4 tsp of baking powder. I’ve fixed the ingredient list in the recipe. :) ~ karen!
Lisa,
You are my kinda gal! Ha! I am reading this at 1:30 am lying in bed wondering if the microwave would beep too loud to bust me out in my attempt to sneak a nice treat without waking my husband or chocolate lab sleeping next to me after reading this!
I suggest adding cinnamon, cloves, and ginger to the dry ingredients. Add 1/2 tsp of peppermint extract when mixing wet stuff. Add some peanut butter after mixing the wet stuff, just mix till most lumps are down to the size of nickels & quarters. we
Mmm!
Also, very easy to make it gluten free. Almond flour is nice in this (I’ve never tried using all almond flour though.)
Gluten free tends to rise more, before falling after cooking, I suggest using a large mug or cereal bowl. (I also use the whole egg with cakes this size. You can half the ingredients for a smaller cake.)
In these dire pandemic times, my adult daughter is thankfully working from home, my home, she hasn’t moved out yet…and I bring her a snack every day around 10am because I am working from home too but I have no work to do :) today she will get chocolate cake in a mug, with fresh raspberries on top!
Is there a version of this for those without a microwave?
Nope. This recipe is specifically for cooking in a microwave I’m afraid. ~ karen!
I was going to ask this too. And since the answer is no, I suggest you look up ‘Katharine Hepburn brownies’, they are the bomb!
I feel like somehow you should be able to cook this over a lightbulb, like a DIY easy-bake-oven. :)
Rereading some older posts and came across this one. I definitely tried this first time around and it “hit the spot” as I recall. But I didn’t recall making it this way as described.
Why would you cook the dry ingredients for 3 minutes prior to adding the egg and cooking another 3 minutes?
Please review the recipe again as I think there is a mistake there.
You’re right Gigi! Thanks, that must have happened when I was transferring my old recipes into the new format where you can print them. Thx! ~ karen!
Yeah, but then I make 4 because one isn’t enough. Lol.
Works out to 1/4 tsp of baking powder, with regular flour. Thank you. The kidlets love this.
Ah! Thanks. Glad the kids like it! I haven’t made it in ages actually. Hmm … ;) ~ karen!
I hope this works, because I am testing some recipes for my daughter’s 11th Birthday and one recipe I came upon ended up tasting like rubber and even looked like rubber.
LOL. ~ karen
Even faster cake in a cup.. here for you —
one pkg angel food cake mix – dry
one pkg chocolate cake mix – dry.
(or any flavor mix you like)
mix these two dry mixes together super duper well store,in dry store container.
Take out one coffee cup to microwave in, I spray it with Pam.. cooking spray.
3 Tablespoons of dry mix,
2 Tablespoons of water, mix quite very well.
few chocolate chips on top.
Micro for one minuit..
SHAZAM you have cake in a cup!! light and yumm. Just to add to your cake recipies… OOOH and you can give a few Tablespoons as gifts with the how too’s. easy peasie.
That’s what I keep in my pantry. So much easier and always at the ready. But I use a big mug and double it: 6-4 -1. It still takes only 1 minute to bake. No need to spray the mug, and I pour some chocolate syrup over it before eating.
Your cake in a cup was calling my name tonight. I read this post a week ago, but tonight it flung itself back into the front of my mind when I was craving chocolate….
It is cooking now and the anticipation is killing me. I admit I popped a few of the chips while waiting and they were Trader Joe’s chips which I heard were at the head of the class for all chocolate chips. I had such a chocolate rush from those 2 or 3 tiny morsels that I am afraid my head will explode when I finally get my cake in a cup!
Ok, it is ready…I will be back in a jiff.
Karen, you are a goddess sent straight from chocolate late at night heaven! I threw a few more chips on top and they are all soft and melty now.
My husband has just come home, do I had my newfound cake – or run screaming with joy to share it with him….you’ll have to guess which route I took!
(I shared.)
Bridget – Hahah! Thanks for the play by play. Loved it. ~ k!
oops… i just reread this. I saw cake and got confused and forgot how to read apparently because I now see that you explained stumble upon. (your mom and i should be friends)
I feel like I am about to ask a question that is going to change my life forever. reverently whispers… What is stumble upon?
Stupid Karen. I JUST discovered your blog,showed my daughter the stupid cake in a cup recipe – and now she makes it all the time and leaves the cakey cup on the drainer and looks at me all innocent with cake moustache on her 10 year old face saying there wasn’t enough to make two. She hides the cocoa, I know it. Stupid kid.
Alyson – Sorry. I’m stupid that way. ~ karen
Karen: In response to jj’s post above, I don’t know about lowfat but how about a no fat version?
Air in a Cup.
Instructions: stare at a microwaveable ceramic cup and think hard about whether you REALLY want to bake anything cake-like in it that will just go to your hips anyway. Then, just walk away.
There you have it; the no fat version. AIR IN A CUP. Pure genius :)
South Beach Diet, why have you made me such a cynic? I think I need to eat cake. NOW. Excuse me for a moment while I go search the pantry.
My advice to anyone still following this thread: if you’re gonna eat cake, go for the full meal deal. In a cup no less! Carpe diem!
Shari! LOL! I like it. ~ karen
If anyone comes up with a lowfat version of this please post it!
A pinch of chili powder goes wonderful with chocolate. Chocolate anything.
Thank you, thank you, Karen– Cake in a Cup has made for some lovely moments with my beloved, who has now stopped pining loudly for the “Pie Delivery Truck” every night after dinner.
Oh! p.s. If you don’t have any of that fancy-schmancy self-rising flour around, there’s a fix: Add a TEENSY pinch of baking powder (I worked it out, and it’s roughly a 1:48 ratio) and use a bit less flour–what the pros would describe as a “scant” 4 Tb.
OMG, that is friking fabulous!! Can’t wait to try it and show my SIL!!!
I am so going to do this with my nieces when I get back to the UK.
I’m new here and I’m really enjoying your blog – so funny!
this cake sounds awesome – is 11:18pm too late to cook a cake in a cup?
Absolutely NOT too late to make cake in a cup. It’s NEVER too late to make cake in a cup! Thanks for visiting! – karen
Shhh…don’t tell the monkeys it’s that easy! They will be eating chocolate cake 24-7 and swinging from the ceiling fan. :) Wonderful post darlin’…that’s actually a brilliant find.
Have you ever made Egg In A Cup? I’m not sure a scrambled egg needs to be simplified, but it makes the perfect size egg… uh, puck? to put on an English muffin, and all you have to wash is a coffee cup.
Quick shot of cooking spray into a mug.
Crack in one egg.
Beat egg with fork.
Add small pat of butter and splash of milk or water. Some shredded cheese if you have it. Give it a good stir.
Microwave on high for 1 minute at 50/60%.
Ta da!
A.MA.ZING. How have I made it this long without a cake in a cup? Thank you for changing my world.
PS: you can use regular flour if you need to!
I made this last night –so ridiculously easy! And, pretty delicious for something so simple. I think I’ll add butterscotch chips, and walnuts next time for a bit of flare. But, cinnamon & cardamom might be really nice, too :) Thanks for sharing this, Karen! Lovin’ your blog!
Ok. My first post here :) I come from Poland, and that`s were I live. I can hardly understand what you`re writing (I was always better at german) but, nevermind, you make me laught EVERY SINGLE TIME, when I read your blog :)
It`s totally crazy. I laughed when I was reading about yoghurt tampons. Actually I died with laugh ;)
That`s for the beggining.
Next- I`m not sure, what is the difference between sailboat and fibregals sailboat, but, that`s what I found once:
http://books.google.com/books?id=uNlKy795HNgC&lpg=PP1&ots=CeYSHfSqFu&dq=fibreglass%20sailboat&hl=pl&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false
Apply for Oprahs show…You are already great…You would win! PFFFTTTTTT! :)
I put a pinch of cinnamon in my cake in a cup. It plays nicely with the density of the chocolate.
You are so right on the cinnamon!
But I don’t have any self-rising flour.
I agree with Kate – I don’t even know what Oprah’s show giveaway is, but I’d vote for you fo’ sho’!
I second that, Oonafey. I’m shit out of luck. No microwave AND my oven doesn’t work. So no Cake-in-a-cup OR plain old oven baked cake for me. Grocery store cake. That’s where it’s at.
Hey, Karen! Wanna add “How do you fix an oven on a 50’s gas range?” to your “Ask Karen” list?
Ooo. That no-oven thing… A second shot of brilliance in a single sitting!! Must…break…oven…
Damn. If only I had a microwave.
Aiiiiiieeeeee……
Well, you may finally have found a good enough reason to GET one!
Must. Try. Now. Oh my.
AMAZING!! Plus I think you should apply for Oprah’s show giveaway that she is having! I would love to watch all your blog ideas on the TV!!
This is genius! My kids will love it!
Occasion #1 – “Stumbling” and link clicking a week ago and found your site!
Occasion #2 – At the library a couple months ago looking at some pastry cookbooks and found “101 Recipes for Microwave Mug Cakes”…of course I checked it out. Can’t believe I’ve had all these mugs sitting around here with nothing in them but coffee, tea and hot chocolate…pfttt
Thank you for my daily dose of laughter! x