My parents gave my husband and me our first microwave as a housewarming gift 26 years ago. Over the years, it zapped countless cups of hot water and defrosted infinite amounts of frozen food. Most recently, it magically produced mug after mug of 3-2-1 cake experiments. The weakest link on that appliance was the plastic door opening button. The microwave was still fully functional but some bit of internal plastic would crack and the door wouldn’t open. My husband used superglue to repair the mechanism several times but this last time the plastic was no longer salvageable. I had no choice but to get a new microwave.
I don’t like getting new machines. If I am happy and comfortable with what I have, I don’t want to deal with learning new buttons and gadgets. I get something new, I complain a lot, then I get used to it and life goes on. With my new washing machine that means a number of highly wrinkled loads before I get the knack of high efficiency (Where is all the water?!?). With my new microwave that meant a number of 3-2-1 cake explosions and a few 3-2-1 cake hockey pucks before I fully grasped how much stronger my zapping power now is.
My 3-2-1 Black Forest Cake was fully cooked in my new microwave in 35 seconds. “3-2-35 second cake” doesn’t have the same ring to it, so I am not changing the name, but I am adding this note. Zap your 3-2-1 cakes until done. Done means the wet batter has turned into cake. After “done” comes dried out. After “dried out” comes the hockey pucks I previously mentioned. More powerful microwaves perform faster magic. Adjust cooking times to your appliance.
Real Black Forest Cake includes layers of chocolate cake, whipped cream, and cherries. In Germany, where the cake originated, it is traditional (and legally mandated) to add a tart cherry liquor. 3-2-1 Black Forest Cake doesn’t share all of those characteristics, but it is chocolaty and full of cherries. The ingredients are all shelf stable and care package mailable. However, if you are enjoying 3-2-1 Black Forest Cake at home, add a dollop of whipped cream on top give this microwave wonder more traditional flavor.
You can read more about desert safe ingredients and find an index of all of the desert safe recipes on The Monday Box by clicking here.
3-2-1 Black Forest Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box Angel Food Cake mix
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- Non-stick spray if not using disposable cups
- Water
- 1 bag chopped or slivered almonds
- 1 can cherry pie filling
- 1 bottle chocolate syrup
Directions
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In a gallon sized ziplock bag, combine the two boxes of cake mix. Shake the bag to mix thoroughly.
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Lightly coat the inside of a microwaveable mug with non-stick spray or use a disposable microwave safe paper cup. (Without the spray the cake will not transfer out of the mug and the mug is harder to clean.)
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(Here comes the 3-2-1 part) Into the prepared mug, stir together 3 tablespoons of cake mix and 2 tablespoons of water. Add a rounded tablespoon of cherry pie filling.
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Microwave on high for up to 1 minute until cooked. (My microwave takes 40 seconds.)
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Add a generous drizzle of chocolate syrup, another tablespoon of cherry pie filling and a sprinkle of chopped almonds. Then eat it right out of the mug. If you want to transfer the cake onto a plate, run a knife around the edge between the cake and the mug to loosen, dump out onto a plate, then add the syrup, cherries, and almonds.
Packing Tips
Combine the two cake mixes into a labeled gallon-size ziplock bag. Include a measuring spoon, a bottle of chocolate syrup, a can of cherry pie filling, and a bag of slivered almonds. If the care package is international, include microwave safe paper cups. If the care package is domestic, add either a can of non-stick spray (for use with a ceramic mug) or microwave safe paper cups.
If you enjoy this 3-2-1 cake, you might also enjoy:
Oh no! Cake explosions are the worst. This black forest version looks like it came out splendidly though, Wendy! I know so many of my college friends are going to LOVE this recipe once I send it over to them!! 😀
Thanks, Jess! Adding filling to 3-2-1 cakes (pie filling, pudding, jam) can be a microwave cake explosion waiting to happen. Shorter zap times are required…unless you want to spend the next hour scraping bits of cake off the walls of the microwave!:) Please warn your college friends! These cakes are perfect for late night study munchies and no one has time to clean a microwave! 🙂
Adjusting to new gadgets can be very frustrating! When we moved to NC it took what felt like forever to get the hang of our oven … so different from the one we had in Virginia! Love this latest version of your 3-2-1 cakes!
Thanks, Ashley! I remember when we lived in apartments years ago and every time we moved I readjusted quickly between gas stoves and electric stoves. I must have been more adaptable back then! 🙂
This is so cool. I’ve heard about cakes in a mug, etc. but haven’t tried one yet. Moist, warm delicious cake – amazing!
Thanks, Tricia! These 3-2-1 cakes have the added bonus (for those without access to full kitchens like college kids and the military) of being made from a mix and with non-refrigerated add-ins that make them care package perfect! Zap as needed. 🙂
I remember as a kid if the microwave broke we went to the store that day and got a new one, lol. I love a mug cake ,this is fabulous!
Thanks, Dorothy! Nobody wants to be without the appliances we get so used to for convenience! I am glad my kids learned to boil water on the stove as well as zapping a cup of tea! 🙂
I’m starting to think of you as the queen of the 3-2-1 cakes, Wendy. Love the very idea…okay, maybe just a little *too* convenient to be safe. ; ) This black forest cake looks irresistible!
Thanks, Monica! I didn’t set out to be a 3-2-1 enthusiast. As a matter of fact I thought of it as a one time novel idea to post while I was on vacation last year.But the response was overwhelming and surprising. 3-2-1 Magic Mug Cake is my number 1 visited post EVERY DAY! Apparently people want microwave convenience with sweet flavor appeal. If I want readers to visit the Monday Box I need to post what they are interested in. 🙂 Hopefully, I can show that 3-2-1 cakes can be yummy as well as fast and convenient!
OMG !!!
My mouth is watering just looking at these photos!!
I looooooooove this cake
I really like mug-cake, I think it’s so romantic to share one with my love one (=hubby)
Pinning
Thanks, Winnie! Your enthusiasm is much appreciated! 🙂 Because these 3-2-1 mug cakes are made with a mix, they can be enjoyed in college dorms or military barracks as well as romantic dinners! 🙂
Thanks for the pin!!
I am kind of a boring microwave owner: I just nuke the usual suspects but I’ve never made dessert in it before! This is a great idea for a quick dessert at home or to send in a care package! Bravo!
Thanks, Lindsey! I am just like you with the microwave…heat water, defrost whatever. That is why I find 3-2-1 cake magical and fun! 🙂
Love this mug cake! 🙂 it looks so gooey and moist-just the way I like cake to be!
Thanks, Jocelyn! The key to gooey and moist with microwave cakes is gooey add-ins that don’t bake (like chocolate and pie filling) and syrup on top.
That was like loosing an old friend, wasn’t it? What a fun treat you made with your new one!
Thanks for the understanding, Chris! I would like to be more easily adaptable but I was just so comfortable with the old microwave. No thinking involved just press and go! 🙂 Oh, well. I am giving the new one a work out and should be used to it soon!
Wendy, shame on me for not visiting your blog in so long! I’ve missed out on so much deliciousness! I hate getting new appliances too. My brain is so lazy that it hates learning new things, lol. Explosions in the microwave are the worse because my body is too lazy to clean up the mess 😉 I’m glad you figured out how much time was needed because your mug cakes are amazing. Anything to get cake into my mouth in a short time period is a good thing. I love black forest cake and haven’t had it in years. Is it really legally mandatory to use cherry liquor in Germany? If so, that’s awesome!
Nancy, I appreciate your visits (and kind words) whenever you find time to stop by! 🙂 I started playing with 3-2-1 cakes for the college crowd but they are popular with anyone wanting a quick gooey cake fix. Everyone needs instant gratification now and then. 🙂 I read that the liquor is a legally required ingredient in Black Forest cake in Germany if the official German name for Black Forest cake is used to identify it….Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte. (Being able to pronounce it isn’t a legal requirement.)
Wendy that looks absolutely decadent! I love the Pina Colada cake too! I love the combo of cherry and chocolate, and I also love things that are easy. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks, Sheryl! These “magic” microwave cakes are just fun! They will never replace the “real thing” but they are perfect for a sudden sweet tooth attack especially for college students who may only have access to a microwave.
I love love black forest cake! But I still haven’t had the courage to make one yet. Your microwave version would be perfect for me to start with! YUM!
Thanks, Lokness! This version isn’t quite the real thing, but it is tasty, quick, the ingredients can be mailed in a care package, and it is just about fool proof! 🙂 I will be watching your blog for when you share a recipe for the real thing!