This Cake Mix Mug Cake recipe isn’t really a recipe. It’s directions for magic. With just three ingredients, you can make an individual cake in a mug in only one minute using the microwave! This fluffy treat is instantly ready whenever a snack attack hits. Customize your cup of cake with some candy, chips, or fruit bits and the mug cake variations are endless!
When the directions for this 321 cake appeared in the food section of our newspaper seven years ago, I had to give it a try. I was amazed by the results and shared the fun recipe here on The Monday Box in March 2013.
I thought microwave cakes would be a onetime novelty, but I was wrong! This post has been wildly popular and inspired many additional popular recipes like Molten Lava Mug Cake and Piña Colada Mug Cake.
Mug cake recipes on The Monday Box are unique because they are made with only shelf stable ingredients. That means the ingredients can be sent in a care package (or kept on your kitchen shelf) for whenever a snack craving hits!
They are the perfect care package treat for anyone with a sweet tooth and access to a microwave, in other words, most college students and deployed military service members. Many of the recipes use add-ins that are safe to mail, even to hot desert deployment locations.
The numbers in the 321 mug cake name come from the proportions of ingredients used. All that you need is mug cake mix (made with one box of angel food cake mix combined with one box of flavored cake mix) and water. Combine 3 tablespoons of the mix and 2 tablespoons of water, then microwave for 1 minute. 3-2-1! That’s all!
Directions
- Use a permanent marker to label a gallon size ziplock bag with the name of the mix and the simple 3-2-1 directions.
- To make the mug cake mix, pour one package of flavored cake mix and one package of Angel Food cake mix into the prepared ziplock bag. Seal the bag and then shake until the two mixes are completely combined.
- To make a cake, use either a microwave safe paper cup or a mug. If using a mug, lightly coat the inside with non-stick spray. The spray makes clean-up easier.
- Add 3 tablespoons of mug cake mix and 2 tablespoons of water. Stir to combine.
- Mix in 1 tablespoon of add-ins, such as syrup, chips, or jam.
- Microwave on high for about 1 minute. Each microwave is different. Watch your cake carefully so that it doesn’t over cook.
- Remove from the microwave and allow the cake to cool for a few minutes before adding frosting and sprinkles.
Mug cake tips
- Add-ins provide additional flavor and moisture. Follow the directions for one of the many mug cake recipes here on The Monday Box, or make up your own!
- When sending mug cake mix in a care package, I highly recommend sending paper cups/snack bowls. College students don’t like to wash dishes and aerosol cans of nonstick spray can’t be sent in airmail military care packages.
- Using nonstick spray on reusable mugs will make them much easier to clean after cooking a mug cake.
- Don’t fill any mug more than half full to avoid overflowing. An 8 ounce cup is the smallest container for this recipe. Adding additional ingredients, like chips or syrup, increases the amount of batter and requires a bigger mug.
- Eliminate the spongy texture often found in microwave baking by adding extra moisture to your cake (and delicious flavor) with 1 tablespoon of syrup, jam or condensed milk.
- To make a cake more chocolaty add a tablespoon of chocolate syrup or a tablespoon of cocoa with an extra teaspoon of water.
- Watch your first mug cake carefully for doneness. Each microwave is different and your cake may take a bit more or less time than indicated on the recipe.
- Microwave cakes cook instantly and are meant to be eaten instantly. They are not meant to be stored and eaten later.
Care package tips
For a care package that is the answer to the midnight munchies, send a mug cake care package with these items.
- Bag of mug cake mix
- Measuring spoon
- Disposable paper cups and plastic spoons.
- Add-ins like candy, chocolate chips, and dried or canned fruit.
- Toppings like canned frosting, chocolate or caramel syrup, and sprinkles.
- Printed microwave mug cake recipes from The Monday Box.
Frequently asked questions
This recipe is made with cake mix and water. No egg is needed.
Add a tablespoon of syrup (chocolate, caramel, strawberry,etc.), condensed milk, or jam before cooking. Use additional syrup or frosting as a topping after cooking.
Mix in a tablespoon of chocolate syrup, or a tablespoon of baking cocoa with an extra teaspoon of water, before cooking.
Mix up some microwave magic! The ingredients for 3-2-1 cakes make a fabulous care package treat and a quick snack any time!
Cake Mix Mug Cake
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Ingredients
- 1 box Angel Food Cake mix 16 ounces
- 1 box flavored cake mix 15.25 ounces
- Water
- Non-stick spray
- 1 can Frosting optional
- Add-ins optional such as chocolate chips, coconut, candy bars, nuts, sprinkles
Directions
To make the Mug Cake Mix
- In a gallon sized ziplock bag, combine the two boxes of cake mix. Shake the bag to mix thoroughly.
To make the mug cake
- Use either a microwave safe paper cup or a mug. If using a mug, lightly coat the inside with non-stick spray. The spray makes clean-up easier.
- Into the mug, add 3 tablespoons of cake mix and 2 tablespoons of water. Add 1-2 tablespoons of add-ins, if using. Stir to combine.
- Microwave on high for 1 minute.
- If using frosting, allow the cake to cool for a few minutes before adding.
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
I just love all the variations and oh so simple!
themondaybox says
Thanks, Vicky! The variations seem limitless yet they are all easy, shelf-safe (care package friendly), and give your sweet tooth instant gratification! 🙂
Emma @ P is for Preschooler says
Wow, these sound delicious! I can’t wait to try them!
themondaybox says
Thanks, Emma! I hope you enjoy your 3-2-1 cake!
Becca Niederkrom says
OMG! How cute and scrumptious are these?!?!
themondaybox says
Thanks, Becca! Throw some of your many varied chocolate bars into one of these cakes and I think you will be amazed! 🙂
Cassie @ 3Dinosaurs.com says
Looks really cool! Do you know if this would work well for gluten free angel food cake?
themondaybox says
We did make 3-2-1 Gluten Free, Cassie! I couldn’t find a gluten free angel food mix so we just made it with gluten free chocolate cake mix (Betty Crocker) and it came out great!
Connie says
I did not like the 321 cake idea very much and now wonder what can I do with this whole bag of mixed Angel food and Devils food cake mixes? I would like to use them up and make one big yummy something. Any ideas for this problem?.
themondaybox says
Sorry you didn’t like your 3-2-1 cake, Connie. I have 2 suggestions. First, did you only try the 3-2-1 cake plain? I think it tastes like a sponge that way. With add-ins like the molten lava version or the apple cinnamon version it tastes WAY better. Plus it must be eaten warm. If you still don’t like it, I am sure you could use it in any recipe calling for cake mix. I suggest googling or doing a search on Pinterest for “cake mix recipe”. There are pancakes, and waffles, and cookies that I have seen using cake mix. I hope you find something delicious!
kruti says
Would this still work if I used one box of cake mix? Like take 3 spoons if that mix and 2 spoons of water?
themondaybox says
Hi, Kruti. I think that the answer to your question is, yes. I have not tried with regular cake mix (no angel food mix) plus water, but I have tried with just gluten free cake mix (no angel food mix) and it worked great! I have also read recipes online that say you can just use the one box. So, I would give it a go! Please let me know how it goes. 🙂
kruti says
Thanks. 🙂 I tried it and it worked really well! I filled half a cup with the mix and like a third cup of water and it turned out great. I’m glad I can make this with only 2 things. Such a time saver.
themondaybox says
I am so glad, Kruti! Time saving, fun, easy, tasty, portion control…..what more could one ask for?!
Jade Hibiscus says
Yes, it will work with just cake mix, skip the angel food. 4 TBSP mix, 2 TBSP or 1 oz water. Less work, just as easy. You can add chopped nuts, chocolate chips, whatever. Microwave :90 to 2:00 depending. Just keep checking as it cooks. Run a search on Warm Delights for other ideas. An original version of this that people seem to have made unnecessarily complicated.
The Monday Box says
I am glad you are enjoying your version of 3-2-1 cake, Jade. I have worked with many variations of cake mix microwave cake and I agree that some brands of cake mix work relatively well for microwave mug cakes without the angel food cake. The purpose of the angel food mix is to give the cake more fluffy rise. Angel food contains a large amount of egg white which serves as a rising agent. Eliminating the angel food will always result in a less fluffy cake. Sometimes the difference isn’t very noticeable and other times the result is very dense and sponge-like. Enjoy!
sweetgingergirl says
Has anyone done any gluten free versions of any of these cakes?
themondaybox says
Hi! My daughter, who must eat gluten free, asked me the same question recently! The key to 3-2-1 cakes is the eggs in the angel food cake mix. That is what causes them to rise. I haven’t tried 3-2-1 gluten free yet because though I have vanilla and chocolate gluten free cake mix, I don’t have an angel food cake mix. I will try to locate one. If you try making a gluten free 3-2-1 cake, let me know how it goes!
Maureen says
Have you try the angel food cake with the gluten free cake yet???
themondaybox says
Maureen, our stores don’t seem to carry any brand of gluten-free angel food cake. I looked online and couldn’t find it either. BUT I did make the 3-2-1 cake just with gluten-free chocolate cakemix (just skip the part about combining the two mixes) and it worked great! I used Betty Crocker Devils Food Gluten-Free. I think any brand would work. Enjoy!
JoAnne Lingo says
I’ve made this recipe, or close to it, with King Arthur’s Gluten-free Chocolate Cake Mix. I added dark chocolate chunks or chips, sometimes a bit of cinnamon. It’s wonderful!!! I’m gluten free and Vegan so don’t want the eggs. My mug cakes puff up beautifully ant taste delicious!!!
The Monday Box says
So glad the 3-2-1 idea is working for you too, JoAnne! Good to know that the mug cakes can be vegan as well as gluten free!
TXgirl says
Would it mess up the 3-2-1 ratio if I added extra cocoa powder to my mix? After mixing the German chocolate cake mix with the angel food cake mix, it is no longer chocolate-y.
Thanks!
themondaybox says
I haven’t tried it, but I think it might work. I would start with adding cocoa powder to 1 mug (maybe 1/2 -1 teaspoon at first) and see what happens before you potentially waste your cocoa and your mix. Too much cocoa will make the cake bitter. Another solution for more chocolate flavor is chocolate syrup after the 3-2-1 cake bakes or the molten lava style with added chocolate chips or candy bars to the mix before microwaving. Let me know what you discover! 🙂
Allison Wiener says
I have seen a recipe for “chocolate angel food cake” where they added 1/2c. cocoa powder to the mix and recommended dusting the cake with powdered sugar. I think that would work quite well. Might add a little bit of powdered sugar into the mix itself, just to keep it from being bitter.
I made a mug and felt the same way… no chocolate flavor! Chocolate chips helped, but I think next time, I won’t stir them in… they sunk to the bottom.
themondaybox says
Thank you for adding your suggestions, Allison. I still favor adding something liquidy and chocolate like chocolate bars into the mix that will melt when heated , like in the Molten Lava version, or chocolate syrup added over the cake when it comes out of the microwave.
Kathi Robinson says
Does the mix work if you use brownie mix?
The Monday Box says
Hi, Kathi. If you are thinking of mixing the brownie mix with Angel Food Cake mix, I think it would work but might not be quite as fluffy. If you are planning on using only brownie mix and water, then 1 minute in the microwave, I do not think that will give you a brownie. I think it will give you something rather rubbery. Those are my guesses based on a lot of 3-2-1 experimenting. If you try, let me know your results!
Oum Abdullah says
Huumm .. I love It !
themondaybox says
Thanks, Oum! Its a fun treat!
ohsweetbasil says
Love this, especially the frosting. Gimme a spoon!!!!
themondaybox says
Thanks, Carrian! Everybody needs a little magic now and then. 🙂
Reeni says
Magic indeed! I love this for those times when my sweet tooth hits out of the blue and I must have something sweet immediately or I will self combust!!
themondaybox says
Or when you want something baked but there are no eggs or butter in the house! 🙂 Gourmet? No. Magic? Yes! Thanks, Reeni!
cookiemonstercooking says
haha this is so fun! I would have loved to have gotten something like this when I was in college : )
themondaybox says
It is the perfect snack for a college student or military person with the munchies! No perishable ingredients. No special directions. But it is the magic that makes it fun!
Mama's Gotta Bake says
HA! I’m sending my kind back to college with this little care package! Great idea, it is magic!
themondaybox says
No ingredients to buy. Nothing to go bad in the fridge. Unlikely to explode. 🙂 An excellent dorm snack for the budding chef or those allergic to cooking. Let me know what he thinks!
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
OMG IT IS MAGIC DID YOU GO TO HOGWARTS?! heehee I love this Wendy. Sometimes you need a quick fix for something sweet and this mug cake is PERFECT!
Enjoy your weekend!
themondaybox says
I have Hermione’s hair but not her talents, Jess! 🙂 As you know from first hand experience, most college students don’t have the time, interest, or know-how to bake but do have a need to snack. I can never figure out how you fit so much into your days! For those without YOUR magic skills, we have magic cake!
Mrs. DeYarmond says
Ohhh I love it ! And I love to see that your recipe is three times easier because of the cake mix !! You’re right : it’s a good treat for military and student.
Cake mix are not popular in France but that’s pretty cool ! Love this article my dear Wendy ! Hag sameah
themondaybox says
Thanks, Sarah! What I love about your mug cakes, is that they are real cakes for 1 person. This magic cake is just a fun quick snack. It is a perfect “recipe” for someone with only a microwave and without many ingredients. I am not surprised that cake mix is not popular in France. The whole world travels to France for food and pastries that does not come out of a box! Hag sameach!
Ms.j says
Do I have to use angelfood cake mix to make this?
The Monday Box says
The eggs in the angelfood cake mix is what enables the microwave cake to rise. If you make this without the angelfood cake, it might taste ok but it will be more dense.
Nichole Schwarz says
Is it possible to make these with boiled water and no microwave?
The Monday Box says
Hi, Nichole. No, boiled water will not cook the cake. You would just have hot cake batter. The microwave cooks the batter like an oven.