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

    Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte Mug Cake

    By Wendy Sondov · Published: Oct 7, 2015 · Modified: Sep 14, 2024 · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe

    This is a mug cake for everyone who can’t get enough of autumn’s biggest flavor sensation, pumpkin spice latte. Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte Mug Cake is a microwave mug cake ready in 1 minute to satisfy seasonally induced cravings.

    Pumpkin Spice mug cake in a glass mug topped with powdered sugar.

    Why you'll love this recipe

    As a pumpkin fan, I like to have pumpkin on the menu all year. Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte Mug Cake quenches seasonable or unseasonable cravings for a quick and easy pumpkin dessert.

    The recipe below, made with ingredients that are available all year, is a winner. Vanilla mug cake mix is a great base for adding flavors.

    The pumpkin and chai are complimented by the warm vanilla. There is just enough sweetness from the cake mix and chai powder.

    The pumpkin puree (not pie filling) makes such a moist cake that this cake in a cup tastes just as good once it cools as it does straight from the microwave!

    If you have more time and are looking for a pumpkin cake baked in the oven, try Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread. It's an easy to make quick bread that's soft, moist and delicious.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients: canned pumpkin puree, powdered chai mix, mug cake cake mix, tablespoon.

    Instructions

    This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.

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    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.
    3. Into the prepared mug stir together 3 tablespoons of cake mix, 2 tablespoons of water, 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree, and 1 teaspoon chai latte powder mix. Microwave on high for 1 minute.
    4. Sprinkle the top of the cake with confectioners’ sugar, then eat it right out of the mug.
    Closeup of powdered sugar on top of a mug filled with cake.

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    See the full listing of 20 Mug Cakes recipes.

    Ready to bake? Join the free membership group to get new recipes and a newsletter delivered to your inbox! You can also stay in touch on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. I’d love to stay in touch!

    3-2-1 Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte Cake

    3-2-1 Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte Cake

    This microwave mug cake tastes just like the popular Starbucks drink and it's ready to eat in just one minute!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 minute minute
    Total Time: 3 minutes minutes
    Servings: 24
    Calories: 155kcal
    Author: Wendy Sondov

    Ingredients

    • 1 box Angel Food Cake mix
    • 1 box vanilla cake mix
    • Water
    • Non-stick spray
    • 1 can pumpkin puree
    • 1 can chai latte powder mix
    • Confectioners’ sugar optional

    Instructions

    • In a gallon sized ziplock bag, combine the two boxes of cake mix. Shake the bag to mix thoroughly.
    • 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. If using a microwave-safe paper cup, no spray is needed.
    • Into the prepared mug/ paper cup, stir together 3 tablespoons of cake mix, 2 tablespoons of water, 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree, and 1 teaspoon chai latte powder mix. Microwave on high for 1 minute.
    • Sprinkle the top of the cake with confectioners’ sugar, then eat it right out of the mug. To transfer the cake onto a plate, run a knife around the edge between the cake and the mug to loosen, turn out onto a plate, then add the confectioners’ sugar.

    Notes

    Packing tips
    • Combine the two cake mixes into a gallon-size ziplock bag labeled with directions.
    • Include a measuring spoon, pumpkin puree, and chai latte mix.
    • If the care package is international, include microwave safe paper cups and omit the non-stick spray.
    • 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 (highly recommended for college students).
    • Don’t forget to include the “recipe”.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 305mg | Potassium: 67mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 2756IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheMondayBox or tag #themondaybox!

    First Published: October 8, 2015. Last Updated: February 27, 2023. Updated for additional information and better reader experience.

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    Comments

    1. April

      October 19, 2017 at 3:59 am

      Can you use chai from the box?(liquid)

      Reply
      • The Monday Box

        October 19, 2017 at 2:51 pm

        Hi, April! I think liquid chai would work well with this recipe. You may have to do a little experimenting, but I would start by using the liquid chai instead of the water (2 tablespoons). The spice is already in the chai so no extra dry flavoring would be needed. Enjoy!

        Reply
    2. frugal hausfrau

      October 25, 2016 at 9:34 pm

      Now this is cool! Thanks for sharing with us at Throwback Thursday!

      Mollie

      Reply
      • The Monday Box

        October 25, 2016 at 10:14 pm

        Thanks, Mollie! 3-2-1 cakes still amaze me, even after publishing more than a dozen varieties! This one is great for fall pumpkin mania! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Miz Helen

      October 22, 2016 at 12:13 pm

      I really enjoy a delicious Latte and your recipe looks awesome! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great weekend and come back soon!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
      • The Monday Box

        October 22, 2016 at 12:40 pm

        Thanks, Miz Helen! This quickie snack really does taste like a pumpkin chai latte!

        Reply
    4. Gina

      November 27, 2015 at 7:50 pm

      This looks so amazing I wish I had one right now!

      Reply
      • The Monday Box

        November 27, 2015 at 8:05 pm

        These 3-2-1 cakes are super easy, Gina. No real baking involved. Because I use all shelf stable ingredients (for care package sending), often the ingredients are things sitting on kitchen shelves anyway. On one hand that's good. On the other hand, its so easy that it can be "dangerous"! 🙂
        p.s. I've had enthusuastic response sending 3-2-1 cake ingredients plus recipe in military care packages to troops with access to a microwave!

        Reply
    5. Paula K.

      October 17, 2015 at 1:28 pm

      Wendy,
      I have a question when doing the 3-2-1 microwave cakes is it a level Tablespoons of the cake mix or sort a a heaping Tablespoon? Thanks

      Paula K.

      Reply
      • The Monday Box

        October 17, 2015 at 1:40 pm

        Hi, Paula! I use level tablespoons. In a 6 oz. paper cup or tea cup, 3 tablespoons of cake mix is just right. For the larger mugs I used in this recipe, I used 4 tablespoon and about 2 1/2 tablespoons of water. Its not an exact science. I play with the amount of cake mix a few times until I like the amount of cake in the cup.I think that if you heaped the tablespoons, you might need to add a little additional water. Don't increase the pumpkin though. When I added more than one tablespoon of pumpkin, I got a gloppy, heavy mess. Not appetizing at all! 🙂 I hope this helps. Let me know!

        Reply
    6. Ashley

      October 13, 2015 at 7:12 pm

      haha oh gosh I know - the range of pumpkin items to buy is crazy right now at the stores! This cake is so fun Wendy! Definitely so perfect for this time of the year!

      Reply
      • The Monday Box

        October 17, 2015 at 1:41 pm

        Thanks, Ashley! I think we might be in pumpkin overload right now, but everyone seems to love pumpkin so much, I couldn't resist a quick and easy 3-2-1 pumpkin cake! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Monica

      October 13, 2015 at 7:49 am

      This cake looks so moist and I love the presentation in the glass mugs...looks just like a pumpkin spice latte, only better since it's cake!

      Reply
      • The Monday Box

        October 17, 2015 at 1:44 pm

        Thank you, Monica! After playing with this 3-2-1 cake, I am really intrigued about using pumpkin in baked recipes to add moisture and silky texture! Have you used pumpkin in baking and found it added so much to the texture?

        Reply
    8. Tricia @ Saving room for dessert

      October 10, 2015 at 3:27 pm

      Another lovely idea Wendy - great flavors and so easy - thank you!

      Reply
      • The Monday Box

        October 10, 2015 at 3:30 pm

        Thanks, Tricia! A reader asked me if I had made a microwave pumpkin cake (I hadn't) and it got me thinking and experimenting. No one can miss the pumpkin spice latte craze right now, so I jumped right in! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Sandra

      October 10, 2015 at 11:41 am

      Ya! Who said we can only eat pumpkin in the fall? I love that you added chai to this cake recipe... my other favorite fall flavor.

      Reply
      • The Monday Box

        October 10, 2015 at 12:45 pm

        Thanks, Sandra! I recently read that in Australia they eat pumpkin year round but rarely in desserts. I have the ingredients for this 3-2-1 cake in my kitchen cabinet all the time anyway, I might as well eat cake! 😉

        Reply
    10. Ilana

      October 10, 2015 at 10:33 am

      Looks delish!

      Reply
      • The Monday Box

        October 10, 2015 at 10:36 am

        Thanks, Ilana! The pumpkin adds flavor, color, AND texture. The texture is so moist that no one would know it wasn't baked in the oven!

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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