• Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
    • Bars
    • Biscotti
    • Candy
    • Chocolate Covered Oreos
    • Cookies
    • Decorated Iced Sugar Cookies
    • Desert Safe
    • Gluten Free
    • Military Care Packages
    • Mini-Bundt Cakes/Bundtlets
    • Mug Cakes
    • Quick Bread/ Loaf
  • Mug Cakes
  • Military Care Packages
    • Shipping Baked Goods in Hot Weather : Desert Safe Recipes
    • Military Care Package Ideas : Fun and Easy Themes and Recipes
    • Companies That Ship Sweets to APO/FPO Addresses
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy

3-2-1 Black Forest Mug Cake

May 13, 2014 by The Monday Box 27 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

3-2-1 Black Forest Mug Cake is an individual chocolate cake drenched in chocolate syrup and topped with cherry pie filling, adding a German twist to the list of Monday Box mug cakes. They may not be totally authentic Black Forest cake, but they are totally delicious.
3-2-1 Black Forest Mug CakeMy 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.

3-2-1 Black Forest Mug Cake

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 Mug 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.

3-2-1 Black Forest Mug CakeReal 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 Mug 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 Mug Cake at home, add a dollop of whipped cream on top give this microwave wonder more traditional flavor.

3-2-1 Black Forest Mug Cake

 

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
Print

3-2-1 Black Forest Mug Cake

Makes 24 mugs of cake
Author Wendy Sondov themondaybox.com

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

  1. In a gallon sized ziplock bag, combine the two boxes of cake mix. Shake the bag to mix thoroughly.
  2. 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.)
  3. (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.
  4. Microwave on high for up to 1 minute until cooked. (My microwave takes 40 seconds.)
  5. 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:

3-2-1-collage-1.jpg

3-2-1 Magic Cake                                                     3-2-1 Molten Lava                                 3-2-1 Caramel Apple

3-2-1 Boston Cream                                 3-2-1 Piña Colada                                       3-2-1 Black Forest

3-2-1 Collage 3C

3-2-1 Candy Bar                            3-2-1 Strawberry Lemonade                                 3-2-1 Mandarin

 

You might also like:

3-2-1 Pineapple Upside Down Cake3-2-1 Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cake 3-2-1 Lemon Poke Cake: Fluffy lemon cake topped with sweet, creamy condensed milk that seeps through poked holes, moistening and flavoring from top to bottom! A magic microwave mug cake ready to eat in 1 minute! | The Monday Box3-2-1 Lemon Poke Cake

Filed Under: 3-2-1 Cakes, 3-2-1 Microwave Mug Cake, Desert Safe, Mug Cakes Tagged With: 3-2-1 Black Forest Cake, almonds, care package, care packages, cherries, microwave cake, military care package, military care packages, mug cake

« Soft Chocolate-Toffee Cookies
Melted Ice Cream Cookies and Military Care Package #3 »

Comments

  1. Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says

    May 14, 2014 at 2:16 pm

    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!! 😀

    Reply
    • themondaybox says

      May 14, 2014 at 2:28 pm

      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! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Ashley says

    May 15, 2014 at 7:02 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • themondaybox says

      May 19, 2014 at 8:18 pm

      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! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says

    May 19, 2014 at 11:36 am

    This is so cool. I’ve heard about cakes in a mug, etc. but haven’t tried one yet. Moist, warm delicious cake – amazing!

    Reply
    • themondaybox says

      May 19, 2014 at 1:54 pm

      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. 🙂

      Reply
  4. crazyforcrust says

    May 21, 2014 at 8:57 am

    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!

    Reply
    • themondaybox says

      May 21, 2014 at 8:42 pm

      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! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Monica says

    May 21, 2014 at 11:24 am

    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!

    Reply
    • themondaybox says

      May 21, 2014 at 2:57 pm

      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!

      Reply
  6. Winnie says

    May 21, 2014 at 3:13 pm

    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

    Reply
    • themondaybox says

      May 21, 2014 at 8:38 pm

      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!!

      Reply
  7. Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says

    May 22, 2014 at 8:45 am

    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!

    Reply
    • themondaybox says

      May 23, 2014 at 7:28 am

      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! 🙂

      Reply
  8. BruCrew Life says

    May 22, 2014 at 10:06 pm

    Love this mug cake! 🙂 it looks so gooey and moist-just the way I like cake to be!

    Reply
    • themondaybox says

      May 23, 2014 at 7:29 am

      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.

      Reply
  9. chrisscheuer says

    May 23, 2014 at 2:19 am

    That was like loosing an old friend, wasn’t it? What a fun treat you made with your new one!

    Reply
    • themondaybox says

      May 23, 2014 at 7:40 am

      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!

      Reply
  10. themondaybox says

    May 23, 2014 at 7:37 am

    Thanks, Adriana! I really, really wish we used the more accurate measures of the metric system in the US…but Americans freaked out at the idea. The only way to do it is to jump in with both feet (like you are having to do now in the opposite direction!) Conversion is too time consuming and confusing. Just using a new system for awhile allows you to get a feel for quantities, weights, and temperatures. Good luck!
    p.s. Your blog is beautiful (looking forward to following!) and your Wednesday Sandwich #1 is mouthwatering! How wonderful you and your sister can stay close across the ocean with your blog. Technology can make the world a little smaller. 🙂

    Reply
  11. gottagetbaked says

    May 23, 2014 at 11:47 am

    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!

    Reply
    • themondaybox says

      May 27, 2014 at 1:46 pm

      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.)

      Reply
  12. Mama's Gotta Bake says

    May 23, 2014 at 6:35 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • themondaybox says

      May 27, 2014 at 1:33 pm

      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.

      Reply
  13. Lokness says

    May 29, 2014 at 11:45 am

    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!

    Reply
    • themondaybox says

      May 29, 2014 at 12:23 pm

      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!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 3-2-1 Hot Chocolate Cake | The Monday Box says:
    January 21, 2015 at 8:43 am

    […] 3-2-1 Boston Cream Pie                 3-2-1 Pina Colada Cake                      3-2-1 Black Forest Cake […]

    Reply
  2. 3-2-1 Mandarin Orange Cake | The Monday Box says:
    January 29, 2015 at 8:33 pm

    […] 3-2-1 Boston Cream Pie       3-2-1 Pina Colada Cake                        3-2-1 Black Forest Cake […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Connect with Me!

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Meet Wendy…..

Meet Wendy.....

Receive email updates from The Monday Box and bake some love today!

* indicates required

Recent Posts

  • Cinnamon Red Hot Biscotti Cookies
  • Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies
  • Orange Mug Cake
  • Chocolate Chip Mocha Cookies
  • No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

MARCH HOLIDAYS!

Chocolate Covered Oreo Leap-rechauns and Pots of Gold for St. Patrick’s Day Military Care Package #30

Chocolate Covered Leap-rechauns and Pots of Gold for St. Patrick’s Day Military Care Package #30

Slice and Bake Hamantashen, buttery sugar cookies with flavored centers.|The Monday Box

Slice and Bake Hamantashen

Irish Oatmeal Cookies

Irish Oatmeal Cookies

Chocolate Covered Oreos for St. Patrick's Day and Military Care Package #10

St. Patrick’s Day Chocolate Covered Oreos and Military Care Package #10

Hamantashen Pocket Cookies- soft, cake-like cookies filled with your choice of fillings from jam to peanut butter cups! | The Monday Box

Hamantashen Pocket Cookies

Archives

Categories

Archives

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries RSS
  • Comments RSS
  • WordPress.org
Copyright © 2012- 2019. The Monday Box, All Rights Reserved.