Halloween night was very quiet in our neighborhood. The doorbell rang with trick-or-treaters exactly once. We have never had a lot of trick-or-treaters and I always have left over candy. Each year I think maybe something will change, so I overbuy treats, worried that I might run out. An overabundance of little chocolate bars was the inspiration for 3-2-1 Candy Bar Mug Cake, a quick and delicious way to put left over candy to use in a spectacular mug cake.
In pre Monday Box years, I took the “healthy” approach to overbuying candy. I only bought candy I couldn’t eat (nuts) or didn’t particularly like. That made willpower less mandatory.
Now I shop for candy with future baking in mind. I don’t bake with things I don’t like, so I was doomed to Halloween candy nibbling. For several days. They are such tiny bars, after all.
However, now that I have conscientiously taste tested 3-2-1 Candy Bar Mug Cake with all 5 varieties of left over candy bars (some several times to get it right), I can honestly say I have had enough until next year. These instant cakes are amazing. Sweet. Gooey. Crunchy. I just don’t advise 5 all at once. Share.
3-2-1 Candy Bar Mug Cake couldn’t be quicker or easier. Especially this time of year, quick and easy is a winner. Whether for a speedy after school snack, an instant gratification dessert, or a 3 a.m. studying-for-exams boost, a little 3-2-1 magic is the answer.
The ingredients for 3-2-1 Candy Bar Mug Cake are just the “magic” 3-2-1 cake mix (1 box any flavor cake mix plus 1 box angel food cake mix) and 2 or 3 mini candy bars of your choice. I think most chocolate bars or m and m’s would work.
I taste tested Snickers, Milky Way, Butterfinger, Twix, and Kit Kat. Don’t use Kit Kat. The cookie wafers get soft and mushy. The others were all fabulous. My surprise favorite was the Butterfinger.
I didn’t expect that the crunchy peanut butter center of the Butterfinger would melt into gooey, sweet, peanut buttery sauce inside the chocolate mug cake. With some chopped Butterfinger sprinkled on top after baking, the combination of gooey and crunchy was outstanding.
3-2-1 Candy Bar Mug Cake is such a great idea, you might even want to hit the after Halloween sales and stock up on some bags of snack size chocolates. The ingredients for 3-2-1 Candy Bar Mug Cake would make any care package recipient very happy and would be perfect in a gift basket for anyone with a sweet tooth.
3-2-1 Candy Bar Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box Angel Food Cake mix
- 1 box chocolate or vanilla cake mix
- Non-stick spray if not using disposable cups
- Water
- 2 bags of snack size chocolate bars 2-3 bars for each individual cake
- 1 bottle chocolate and/or caramel syrup
Directions
- In a gallon sized ziplock bag, combine the two boxes of cake mix. Shake the bag to mix thoroughly.
- If using a microwaveable mug, lightly coat the inside of a with non-stick spray. Without the spray the cake will stick to the mug and the mug is harder to clean. If using a disposable, microwave safe paper cup, no non-stick spray is needed.
- (Here comes the 3-2-1 part) Into the prepared mug/cup, stir together 3 tablespoons of cake mix and 2 tablespoons of water. Stir.
- Roughly chop 2-3 candy bars and place into the batter, reserving a few pieces for topping the cake after baking.
- Microwave on high for up to 1 minute until cooked. (My microwave takes 45 seconds.)
- Add a few pieces of chopped candy bar and a generous dousing of chocolate or caramel syrup on top of the 3-2-1 cake. 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 chopped candy and syrup.
Packing Tips
Combine the two cake mixes into a gallon-size ziplock bag labeled with directions. Include a measuring spoon, bags of snack size chocolate bars, and a bottle of chocolate/caramel syrup. 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. Don’t forget to include the “recipe”.
If you enjoy this 3-2-1 mug cake, you might also enjoy:
Monica says
Okay, Wendy…this just might be a little too genius, a little too tempting! I likewise always have so much leftover Halloween candy, not to mention the hoard my son manages to gather! My husband takes some to work but I have to admit that I am re-discovering the goodness of nestle’s crunch and kit kat right now! Using the candy for a 3-2-1 cake is such a fun (and addicting) idea!
themondaybox says
Buckets of little candy bars have to be put to good use, Monica! 🙂 As tasty as they may be straight out of the wrapper, they secretly double as an amazing melted ingredient! People get so busy this time of year, I thought storing up a few of those candy bars for emergency 3-2-1 cake desserts would be a good idea. 😉
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
What an awesome way to use leftover Halloween candy, Wendy! If I ever manage to avoid eating all of the candy ON Halloween night I will definitely try this out heehee. 🙂
themondaybox says
Thanks, Jess! I buy double of Snickers because those are the ones I nibble on all night. 🙂 The Butterfingers were so awesome in these 3-2-1 cakes, I may be buying double of those next year!
Ashley says
We usually get a bunch of kids, but this year we had a lot less. So I have lots of candy left! What a great way to use some of it up!
themondaybox says
Freeze some of the little chocolate bars, Ashley. Then, if you can resist the deliciousness of frozen candy bars, you will have a store of 3-2-1 cake ingredients whenever you need a sugar jolt. 🙂
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Well yum! I wish I had left over candy now. No joke – we had over 200 kids come to our house in less than 2 hours. Crazy! We like in a cookie cutter neighborhood, at the front so they bus them in and start with us. I always run out of candy but buy tons! This is a great way to use up the candy if I had any ! Haha
themondaybox says
I am so jealous of all of your trick-or-teaters, Tricia! I love watching the little ones in their costumes. My daughter feels cheated this year. 🙂 If you get too old to do it yourself, you should at least be able to enjoy watching others! 🙂 We did have plenty of left over candy for her classroom though (minus what I hid for Monday Box stuff). 🙂
Operation Gratitude says
Oh. My. YUM! 🙂
themondaybox says
Thanks! I SO agree! Butterfingers were my favorite add-in but these Snickers cakes were a close second! 🙂 I also love that all of the ingredients can be sent in a care package to anyone with access to a microwave!
Operation Gratitude says
Yes! 🙂
Glenda says
Now that’s a GREAT use for leftover Halloween candy! Yum!
themondaybox says
Thanks, Glenda! I was happy to find that 3-2-1 Candy Bar Cake works well with most Halloween candy bars!
missmeliss0330 says
This looks delish! Great way to use up leftover Halloween candy too.
themondaybox says
Thanks, Melissa! There is something so satisfying about melted gooey chocolate! 🙂
Larraine says
Great idea for left over Halloween candy!
themondaybox says
Thanks, Larraine! The other 3-2-1 cakes are tasty and easy as well! 🙂
Heather says
I love love the idea of making individual cakes. and this one looks like perfection! Im thinking now I should not have seen this recipe and how easy it was LOL it may become a staple in my house. On a serious note, I will be pinning for later and definitely giving this a try!
themondaybox says
Thanks, Heather! So glad you like the 3-2-1 idea! 🙂 Though the ease of making these CAN be dangerous, I like to believe that the portion control size helps. 🙂 Its also fun that everyone can have their own special treat with ingredients that are sitting on the shelf waiting to be enjoyed!
chrisscheuer says
So fun Wendy – although perhaps a little too tempting as it’s so easy and quick to throw together. I would not have much will power with a bag of this in the cupboard 🙂
themondaybox says
Thanks, Chris. 3-2-1 cakes are just fun. The magic makes them surprising. The gooey sweet stuff makes them delicious. 🙂
Tina Truelove says
I could feel my clothes getting tighter as I read this post. Oh my! We never have trick-or-treaters and we usually aren’t home so I never buy a lot of candy but I sure wish I had a lot of it right now. This looks amazing. Pinning!
themondaybox says
Thank you, Tina! With all the “mandatory” taste testing I did to check compatibility with a variety of candy bars…yup, I definitely feel my clothes getting tighter! 🙂 Just one portion controlled 3-2-1 cake would be fine though! I hope you will try one. They really are magic!
enchantedhomeschoolingmom says
Oh my goodness this sounds delicious! Pinning this now to try and make later in the week 🙂
themondaybox says
Thanks for the pin, Jill! You will only need a minute (or less). Enjoy! The key to yummy 3-2-1 is the gooey-er the better. 🙂
beyondfrosting says
OH! Mug cakes with candy? I’m sold!
themondaybox says
Even better, Julianne. Cake mix mug cakes with candy that cook in less than a minute! 🙂
Giramuk's Kitchen says
This recipe might just be the death of me!!! It sounds so easy and so so good! I’m tempted to stock up on butterfingers and snickers just to make this… and I know I wont be able to stop! So much for trying not to buy candy bars!! 😀
themondaybox says
Thanks, Dini! 🙂 The 3-2-1 cakes can be dangerously easy, BUT at least they are portion controlled! 🙂 All of the 3-2-1 cakes I have on The Monday Box use ingredients that can be shipped in a care package or can be sitting on a shelf in a kitchen, just waiting to be indulged in. 🙂 Enjoy!
p.s. I know its not really fair. You teach me to make fabulous and healthy cauliflower couscous, and I give you reasons to buy candy! 😉
Sandra Garth says
This is so tempting and it looks delicious!
Linda says
I fond your wonderful site on Carlee’s Throwback Thursday. Following you and will visit often. Your creative ideas are fun.
Wishes for tasty dishes,
Linda
The Monday Box says
Thank you so much, Linda! I am delighted that you found ideas to enjoy on The Monday Box! I look forward to visiting with you! Right now, I am heading over to catch up on Tumbleweed Contessa posts. 🙂
Miz Helen says
Congratulations!
Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday today and it has been pinned to our Full Plate Thursday Features Board! Hope you have a great week and enjoy your new Red Plate!
Miz Helen
The Monday Box says
Thank you so much, Miz Helen, for the feature and for pinning! I always enjoy Full Plate Thursday and appreciate your hosting!