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    Home » Recipes » 3-2-1 Microwave Mug Cake

    3-2-1 Gingerbread Mug Cake with Caramel Syrup

    By Wendy Sondov · Published: Dec 15, 2013 · Modified: Jul 3, 2019 · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Gingerbread Mug Cake with Caramel Syrup is bursting with wintery flavors! Satisfy your seasonal sweet tooth with a 1 minute microwave cake mix mug cake full of spicy holiday ginger and plenty of sweet caramel!

    3-2-1 Gingerbread Cake with Caramel Syrup on a green plate surrounded by caramel syrup and red and green sprinkles



     Is there someone in your life who could use a care package of warm holiday flavors? Perhaps that someone is a college student studying for final exams or a soldier far from home. Maybe that hassled, harried person caught up in holiday crazies and in need of an instantaneous sweet fix, is you.

    3-2-1 Gingerbread Cake with Crystallized Ginger and Caramel Syrup

    Anyone with access to a microwave can experience the spicy aromas and sweet flavors of the season in 1 microwave minute with 3-2-1 Gingerbread Mug Cake with Caramel Syrup. This gingerbread/spice cake version of 3-2-1 mug cake is made with the magic mixture of one box of spice or gingerbread cake mix plus one box of angel food cake mix.

    Three tablespoons of this cake mixture is combined with two tablespoons of water. Toss in a sprinkling of crystallized ginger bits for extra spicy zing. No patience is required. After one minute in the microwave, drizzle with caramel sauce and indulge.

    3-2-1 Gingerbread Cake with Crystalized Ginger and Caramel Syrup  I experimented making  3-2-1 Gingerbread Mug Cake with spice cake mix and with gingerbread cake mix. The flavor results were very similar, though the spice cake texture was a little lighter.

    The gingerbread tasted a bit more like ginger. The spice cake tasted a bit more like clove. By adding the crunchy, crystallized ginger, the taste of either mix is definitely gingerbread. Drizzling caramel sauce on top after cooking, provides a creamy sweet finish.

    3-2-1 Gingerbread Cake with Crystallized Ginger and Caramel Syrup on a red plate3-2-1 Gingerbread Mug Cake can be eaten right from the mug or paper cup it is cooked in, or turned out onto a plate and decorated for an impressive presentation! If cooking in a mug, spraying with cooking spray before adding the ingredients makes removing the cake possible and clean-up much easier.

    Please note that aerosol cans are not allowed in international care packages. To mail internationally and/or for no clean-up, I highly recommend adding microwave safe paper cups to your military or college care packages.

    Photo of the ingredients for 3-2-1 Gingerbread Cake with Crystallized Ginger and Caramel Syrup

    Gingerbread cookie standing in front of a 3-2-1 Gingerbread Cake with Crystallized Ginger and Caramel Syrup in a poinsettia paper cup

    3-2-1 Gingerbread Cake with Crystallized Ginger and Caramel Syrup

    3-2-1 Gingerbread Mug Cake with  Caramel Syrup

    A one minute microwave cake mix mug cake full of spicy holiday ginger and plenty of sweet caramel!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 minute
    Total Time: 3 minutes
    Servings: 24
    Calories: 122kcal
    Author: Wendy Sondov

    Ingredients

    • 1 box  Angel Food Cake mix
    • 1 box spice cake or gingerbread cake mix
    • Non-stick spray not for international mailing
    • Water
    • ½ cup Crystallized ginger about 1 teaspoon per mug to taste
    • 1 ½ cups Caramel sauce about 1 tablespoon per mug to taste

    Instructions

    • 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 with non-stick spray (without the spray the cake will not transfer out of the mug.) or use a microwave safe paper cup.
    • (Here comes the 3-2-1 part) In the prepared mug or paper cup, stir together 3 tablespoons of cake mix and 2 tablespoons of water. Stir in the crystallized ginger.
    • Microwave on high for 1 minute.
    • The cake can be eaten right out of the mug/paper cup. If you want to transfer the cake onto a plate, run a knife around the edge between the cake and the mug to loosen, then dump out onto a plate. Drizzle caramel syrup over the cake.

    Notes

    Packing tips
    Combine the two cake mixes into a gallon-size ziplock bag labeled with directions. Include a measuring spoon, bag/spice jar of crystallized ginger, caramel sauce and a can of non-stick spray or microwave safe paper cups.  For a special touch, include holiday sprinkles.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 122kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 198mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 13IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheMondayBox or tag #themondaybox!

    Gingerbread Mug Cake out of mug, on a green plate surrounded by caramel sauce and topped with ginger and red and green sprinkles

    If you enjoy this 3-2-1 cake, you might also enjoy:

    3-2-1 Magic Cake

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

    3-2-1 Boston Cream Pie

    3-2-1 Boston Cream Pie                   3-2-1 Pina 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 Orange

    You might also like:

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    Comments

    1. Malou Perez-Nievera (@malou_nievera)

      December 18, 2013 at 1:35 pm

      hi wendy,
      it's me malou. i haven't been blogging in awhile, not that i wasn't cooking but i got busy with the fundraisers and all. so surely yes it's me who needs this easy as pie 3-2-1 sweet treats of yours. send them over. i need a care package hahah.

      happy holidays.
      malou

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        December 19, 2013 at 9:59 am

        I have been thinking about you and your fundraisers, Malou! I hope they all went well and that your culinary skills were appreciated! I know that the funds raised will have an impact on many lives.
        You know I would hand deliver a care package any time! 🙂

        I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a healthy, peace-filled New Year!

        Reply
    2. shannon

      December 17, 2013 at 11:27 pm

      because when i want ginger cake, i want it NOW! 🙂 and honestly, chances are this is about how much free time i have right now to make cake, so it works perfectly for a "me" treat.

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        December 18, 2013 at 7:42 am

        Breathe, my friend. 🙂 Make sure you pause,momentarily but often, to absorb how wonderful everything you are doing really is. I am in awe of all you create and accomplish. Really! If 3-2-1 cake can fill the gap between your culinary masterpieces....go for it! 🙂 Happiest of holidays and a healthy, peace-filled New Year!

        Reply
    3. Jess @ On Sugar Mountain

      December 17, 2013 at 3:36 pm

      Sending this over to my college compadres right now! They would love a recipe like this for when it's snowing and they can't/don't want to leave the dorm! 😀 YUM.

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        December 17, 2013 at 6:13 pm

        Thanks, Jess! Dorm bound, study frazzled, midnight oil burning, munchie driven college students are the main target audience for 3-2-1 cakes! Lots of military have access to microwaves too. A care package of 3-2-1 makings is great for all of the stresses in life! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Ashley

      December 16, 2013 at 2:58 pm

      I love all your microwave cakes Wendy! They are so perfect to send to someone or really just if you want something quick! Like for a late-night craving ... not that I know anything about that : )

      Plus, the caramel sauce doesn't hurt either!

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        December 17, 2013 at 2:18 pm

        Thanks, Ashley! I agree. 3-2-1 cakes really are the perfect dorm room snack for late-night cravings! With all of the possible add-ins, there is a way to make a reasonable facsimile of many baked favorites in 3-2-1 microwave style. The caramel sauce doesn't hurt at all. 🙂

        Reply
    5. noyomoco

      December 16, 2013 at 4:40 am

      Ohh - this looks amazing! Love that it is so quick and easy 🙂

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        December 16, 2013 at 12:27 pm

        To be honest, Jennifer, I wasn't convinced that 3-2-1 cakes would go over when I posted the first "recipe" for the basic mix. But I was clearly wrong! The more I play with the basic mix, adding this and that, the better I like the results. There are a lot of people looking for quick and easy, it appears! I'm sold due to what fun it is to create care packages with the ingredients.:)

        Reply
    6. Anne ~ Uni Homemaker

      December 16, 2013 at 1:10 am

      This looks so amazing Wendy! I love all that caramel syrup soaking into that cake. Totally delicious! Great post! 🙂

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        December 16, 2013 at 12:29 pm

        Thanks, Anne! The caramel syrup really made this work for me. It turns the spongy microwave cake into more of a bread pudding consistency with crunchy, chewy ginger bits. Yum!

        Reply
    7. Joy @ Yesterfood

      December 15, 2013 at 1:48 pm

      Wendy, these are amazing! I had seen mug cakes here and there on Pinterest, but nothing like these! And you give such a great tutorial, not only for making, but for sharing and/or mailing. I really like how you decorated them with ginger and mmmmmcaramel! 🙂 I think this would be a fun project with my family.

      LOVE this- thank you! ♥

      Reply
      • themondaybox

        December 15, 2013 at 2:00 pm

        Thanks, Joy! The 3-2-1 cakes are magic because you only need the mix and water! 🙂 They aren't exactly the same as baked cakes, but they are fast, easy, fun to make and there are so many add-in possibilities. Also, they are perfect for those without access to an oven!

        Reply

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    I'm Wendy, a baker, care package maker, and smile creator. On The Monday Box you’ll find care package inspiration and recipes for delicious treats that make it easy for you to share home baked love. Let’s spread happiness, one cookie at a time!

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