If you would like to drink your hot chocolate and eat it too, file this microwave magic recipe under “required eating”. Hot Chocolate Mug Cake is rich and chocolaty with lots of gooey marshmallow topping. Best of all, a Hot Chocolate Mug Cake can be cooked and on your fork in just one minute!
I had a strange credit card experience yesterday. The vigilant members of my credit card fraud department left a message on my home phone and sent me an urgent sounding email, both asking me to contact them as soon as possible.
I called and was connected to my new buddy, Eric. Much to my dismay, Eric and I went from mere strangers to buddies during the hour and a half call.
It appears that a musical thief had spent the morning online upgrading his/her instruments; key boards, guitars, amplifiers. The thief then needed to upgrade his/her wardrobe as well, with a quick shopping spree from a major athletic wear company.
The good news is that my buddy Eric and his coworkers flagged the morning purchases for possible fraud, and since credit card companies cover you for fraud, I am not responsible for the unlawful charges. The bad news is that I have to get a new credit card with a new number. So do the other three family members who use that card.
Not that big a deal, except that this is the THIRD time in the past 12 months that we have had to do this. The first two times were due to the credit card company being proactive after two major retailers had data security breaches. This time we have no idea where the thief got my information. And he/she has too much information for my comfort.
After Eric filed all of the necessary credit card company paperwork, we then proceeded to call each of the online retailers to notify them of the fraud and attempt to cancel the purchases. We were mostly successful, but when I asked questions about the shipping address, I was told that it was protected information.
The retailers are restricted by law and couldn’t tell me or the credit card company any details about the purchaser. Supposedly that law is to protect me from turning into Rambo Cop and personally inflicting violence on the perpetrator. No worries, thieves of the world. You are safe from me.
The thief stole my credit card number and was having hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise delivered. Wouldn’t you think the police might be interested in that address? Apparently, that would take a police report and a court ordered subpoena, neither of which are likely to happen because the police and courts are too busy with bigger crimes.
It might be considered emotional eating, but I NEEDED a Hot Chocolate Mug Cake after that call. I needed forkfuls of warm chocolate cake and melted marshmallow, generously doused in chocolate syrup. It helped.
This newest version of microwave mug cake, includes a fudgy flavor enhancement on the original. Most people who try microwave mug cakes enjoy them, but the one complaint I have heard several times is that the chocolate cake isn’t chocolaty enough.
The magic mix for 3-2-1 mug cakes requires mixing a box of any flavor cake mix, in this case chocolate, with a box of angel food cake mix. The angel food diminishes the chocolate-ness.
The Monday Box test kitchen has solved this dilemma. Mixing in a tablespoon of chocolate syrup (in addition to the 2 tablespoons of water) adds the missing color and flavor to the mug cake. An additional chocolate boost comes from mini chocolate chips which are added before baking but not mixed in.
Regular sized chocolate chips sink to the bottom of the cake during baking. The mini chips disperse and melt throughout the cake adding fudgy flavor. Chocoholics rejoice.
One warning. Hot Chocolate Mug Cake has no marshmallows inside the cake because it just doesn’t work. I tried. Many times. I tried giant marshmallows, regular marshmallows, mini marshmallows, and tiny marshmallows.
Mostly, marshmallows melt into sugary hard spots in the cake, but if the marshmallow is big enough it will either explode, leaving sticky bits of hardened chocolate cake all over your microwave, or foam up like lava from a volcano and pour molten marshmallow down the sides of the mug.
The delicious solution is marshmallow cream. One heaping tablespoon of marshmallow cream plopped onto a warm, cooked microwave mug cake, melts into just the right ratio of cake to marshmallow topping in each soothing bite.
I have two tidbits of advice. First, check your credit card statements carefully. It’s a crazy world out there and it’s good to be cautious. Second, make a Hot Chocolate Mug Cake. It’s a crazy world out there and sometimes life requires comfort in a cup.
3-2-1 Hot Chocolate Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box Angel Food Cake mix
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- Non-stick spray if not using disposable cups
- Water
- 1 bag mini chocolate chips
- 1 bottle Chocolate Syrup
- 1 jar marshmallow cream
- 1 bag mini marshmallows
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 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.
- To this basic magic cake mixture add 1 table spoon of chocolate syrup. Stir to combine. Allow to sit for about 1 minute, then sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of mini chocolate chips.
- Microwave on high for up to 1 minute until cooked. (My microwave takes 45 seconds.
- Top the hot cake with one tablespoon of marshmallow cream, a dousing of chocolate syrup, and a sprinkle of mini marshmallows. 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 top with one tablespoon of marshmallow cream, chocolate syrup, and a sprinkle of mini marshmallows.
- Eat warm.
Notes
- Because all of the ingredients are shelf stable, they can be included in a care package for a fresh, sweet treat in just one minute.
- Mug cakes are the perfect treat for college student dorms and deployed military.
- Combine the two cake mixes into a gallon-size ziplock bag labeled with directions.
- Include a measuring spoon, bags of mini marshmallows and mini chips, a bottle of chocolate syrup, and a jar of marshmallow cream.
- If the care package is international, include microwave safe paper cups.
- If the care package is domestic, add either a can of cooking spray (for use with a microwave-safe mug) or microwave safe paper cups.
- Don’t forget to include the “recipe”.
Nutrition
Erlene
Ugh, I've been hit with cc fraud before and it's no fun. Glad your cc company caught it. This mug cake would definitely help me feel better and calm my nerves...lol. Will be including this in round-up on MM. Pinned.
The Monday Box
Once you've been a victim of credit card fraud you are happy rather than aggravated when a cashier asks for i.d.! Thank so much for including 3-2-1 Hot Chocolate Cake in your round-up! And thank you for hosting Merry Monday! 🙂
Divina
This hot chocolate mug reminds me of those cold days when we were kids, me and my siblings, who stayed at home wrapped up in the sheets doing nothing and Mother was making chocolate balls for us. If at that time she knew of this recitation she would have made us warm a little. I'm going to prepare this recipe for my children, I'm sure they'll like it.
The Monday Box
Thank you, Divina, for sharing that lovely. cozy memory! Were your mother's chocolate balls candy or cookies? I have seen the beautiful chocolate candies you make on your site! Were your mother's like that?
Sarah
This looks delicious!
The Monday Box
Thanks, Sarah! Microwave mug cakes are always fun. 🙂
Jasmine
Ahhhh, credit card fraud is the worst! I've had that happen to me several times, and you just feel so violated!! I've started to pick up on signs - sometimes they'll spend a few bucks at a grocery store or a drug store just to test it out. And it's crazy to me that they can take your number with scanners - they don't even need to get the physical card anymore!!
In other news, this mug cake may be the prettiest mug cake I have ever seen!! This look so delicious!
The Monday Box
Thanks, Jasmine! It really is too bad that the crooks can't use their brains and energy for the good! My daughter is traveling internationally this summer and we just purchased a cover for her passport and a special wallet, both which block the scanners from gathering info. Crazy world! I say, "Let us eat cake!" 🙂
Sammi Ricke
My great-aunt made 3-2-1 cakes with my kids a few summers ago and it was such a sweet experience...in every way! To see my children with a beloved senior saint of our family and enjoying the sweet desserts together was truly a blessing. As for your recipe, I love hot cocoa anything so this is a winner in my book! Lovely photos too!
chrisscheuer
That stinks about your credit card but thank goodness you weren't liable for it! The little cakes look amazing Wendy and I think you have it down to a perfect science. It's freeeeezing in NC right now, perfect weather for this wonderful creation of yours!
themondaybox
Thanks, Chris! Credit card fraud and data base hacking is completely out of control. I hope that the US will adapt the European chip card sooner rather than later! You are right though. At least we weren't liable for it! Stay warm and cozy creating amazing stuff in your NC kitchen!
Monica
Mmmm...I love this hot chocolate cake, Wendy. It would definitely hit the spot after a rough day when you need a treat quick. I also had a similar experience recently with a credit card I hadn't used in ages. Luckily, the company cleared the charges and we took care of it but it is a very invasive feeling. I hope all is well. Stay warm!
themondaybox
Thanks, Monica! 3-2-1 cakes are just right for any kind of quick fix, though I am guessing that your kitchen is rarely without some amazing chocolate treat ready to sooth and delight! As for the credit card.....the most invasive part was knowing that the thief was having the fraudulent purchases delivered to an address right here in St. Louis! Hopefully, that was the end of it!
BruCrew Life
Oh, my goodness! That sounds like such a pain in the butt! But good thing you got it taken care of and quickly. And this cake...I would need at least 4 to get through an experience like this.
themondaybox
The seemingly constant breaching of security systems is making this sort of thing more and more common. It IS a pain and a time drain. At least it isn't a money drain for the consumer, but it sure is for the credit card companies! Then there is chocolate to make life better. 🙂
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
What an awful experience. My son had a similar problem and it kept happening. He finally figured out it was one retailer he was visiting since that's the only place he had been. Good thing his wife is in banking. Anyway - emotional eating or not - I would eat this any time of night or day! Wonderful!
themondaybox
We all have to be so careful, Tricia! Usually it is close to impossible to figure out where the thieves get the info., so your son was lucky! It can cause a lot of trouble with credit history. A gooey, quick chocolate recipe is good to have on hand in case of life's little emergencies!
crazyforcrust
I'm so sorry you had to go through that! What a pain. That's always a nightmare of mine, since I do so much on the internet!! Love this cake though, that experience would make me eat 3 of them!
themondaybox
Just keep watching your credit card statements carefully, Dorothy! We can't stop living because of the potential of credit card fraud, but we have to be proactive watching for when it happens. Having more than one card,even if the second one is only used for emergencies, seems to be a necessary back up plan. Crazy world! Lucky we have cake. 🙂
Ashley
Ugh what a not fun experience! All that fraud stuff really scares me. We've had a few fraudulent charges happen to us but nothing major. And even that gives me a weird feeling!
Love this hot chocolate version! Perfect for this time of the year with all the cold weather!
themondaybox
Thanks, Ashley! I agree that the fraud stuff is scary, and it is way too common. Stay warm! What does Emma think of the cold and snow?
Enchanted Homeschooling Mom
I am so glad that you were able to work things out with your credit card company as it could have been such a different story you were telling if they hadn't been able to help you. That cake looks to die for ... just plain delicious!
themondaybox
Thanks, Jill! Yes, it is lucky that the credit card company flagged the transactions as possible fraud. The credit card thieves create a lot of paper work for those they steal from, that's for sure. I am very lucky the theft was from a protected credit card ,rather than an unprotected debit account! These 3-2-1 Hot Chocolate Cakes are wonderfully soothing in their sweet gooeyness. 🙂
Paula K.
Wendy, I might be wrong but I thought our local police department told us at a community crime meeting to file a police report when identity theft/credit card theft took place, maybe you should give your local police a call?
Paula K.
themondaybox
I may give them a call, as you suggest, Paula. One of the retailers I spoke with, slipped and mentioned that the thief gave my address as the billing address and another address, in my same city, as the shipping address! You would think the police would want to investigate that! I am only hesitant because about 10 years ago I tried to report identity theft and the police department was less than pleasant. Maybe times have changed?
Liz W.
Oh heavens that looks yummy!!! I am so glad things worked out in the end with your credit card. Totally scary. You're right- check your statements carefully. But let's talk about this easy, gooey, chocolatey cake you made... I want to eat that right now. And also want to eat that later today. And then finish the day by eating more of that delicious cake. Good job, Wendy!
themondaybox
Thanks, Liz! 3-2-1 cakes are so easy, they CAN be dangerous! 🙂 They are great for a sudden sweet and gooey craving that needs immediate attention. One of the scariest parts to me of the credit card issue, was that no one was going to pursue the criminals. Crazy.
shannon
Wendy, I'm so sorry to hear about your credit card predicament! That's happened to me: what a huge pain it is and it's great that financial institutions are pretty on top of things in terms of flagging and reliving you of responsibility there, but definitely it's a ton of ridiculous hoops to have to jump through for something you didn't even do wrong. Amazing how often it happens, too: I've only had one experience like yours here, but we've had several times now where our bank just sends us new debit cards because of a "breach" of some sort from a retailer, and that's also a pain. I'm happy to hear it got resolved (in the best way it can, i suppose: it's a shame that further investigation can't be done, I agree), and you deserved this mug cake - well, let's be honest, probably several of these mug cakes. 🙂
themondaybox
Thanks, Shannon. I don't really understand why the credit card companies are dragging their feet when it comes to addressing this problem.Target was breached, then Schnucks. I know that issuing cards with chips (like they have in Europe) will cost the credit card companies a ton of money, but surely all of this unaddressed fraud is costing them at least as much. The other thing that Mastercard is dragging their feet on is issuing different numbers on cards from the same account. For example, my number was stolen. If all of the members of my family had different numbers on their cards (same account) only my card would need replacing. If the card holder or a family member is out of the country, it is a big problem. Oh, well. I could be a LOT worse if cardholders were liable for fraud purchases!