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    Home » 3-2-1 Microwave Mug Cake

    Birthday Party in a Box

    By Wendy Sondov · Published: Oct 18, 2017 · Modified: Apr 29, 2024 · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    When someone you care about is away from home for their birthday, send them a Birthday Party in a Box, complete with cake and frosting!

    A regular iced cake would be complicated to ship, however, this box full of 3-2-1 microwave mug cake ingredients includes everything needed for a variety of mug cake creations.

    Individual frosted microwave cake in a paper cup with confetti sprinkles and a lit candle.

    Why you'll love this care package

    • This care package is decorated like a birthday gift on the inside of the box.
    • Everything needed to make and share individual microwave birthday cakes is included in this festive care package.
    • Printable recipes are included in this post, but care package recipients can use the included add-ins to make their own sweet creation.


    The idea for microwave mug cakes is not original to The Monday Box, however Monday Box mug cakes are ideal for care packages because they are all made from only shelf stable ingredients.

    No extra ingredients like eggs, milk, or oil are required. The 3-2-1 microwave mug cake recipes on The Monday Box are care package ready!

    Ever since I first posted about mug cake with cake mix four years ago, readers have been delighted with these portion controlled mugs of instant gratification.  Making a 1 minute snack is quick, easy, and delicious!

    So many flavor variations can be enjoyed by changing the flavor of the “magic mix” or the add-in goodies.

    The “magic mix” is simply one box of Angel Food cake mix combined with one box of flavored cake mix (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, etc.) of your choice. Add chocolate candy to chocolate mix for 3-2-1 Molten Lava Cake or add canned pineapple and cream of coconut to vanilla mix for 3-2-1 Pina Colada Cake.

    There are more than a dozen recipe variations for 3-2-1 microwave cake on The Monday Box!

    Forkful of frosted chocolate cake on top of individual microwave cake.

    Birthday care package

    Birthday Party in a Box care package with decorated flaps filled with mug cake ingredients.

    Would you like to save this?

    We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later! Plus, you’ll get more great recipes and tips from us each week!

    1. Cover the box flaps with colorful birthday wrapping paper.
    2. Add festive decorations.
    3. Fill the box with microwave mug cake ingredients.

    Care package contents

    Birthday Party in a Box contents: napkins, candles, banner, cups,spoons, ingredients, add-in candy.
    • A freezer weight gallon size ziplock bag of chocolate “magic mix” in a Dollar Store plastic canister.
    • Add-ins like candy bits, chocolate chips, marshmallow cream, canned frosting with sprinkles, and caramel syrup.
    • Patterned or colored paper snack cups that are a great size for 3-2-1 microwave cakes.
    • Birthday candles, banners, and napkins.
    • Directions for making 3-2-1 microwave cakes.
    • Printed directions for three different versions of microwave cakes and enclosed them in plastic page protectors. The directions in PDF format for the basic cake, molten lava cake, and hot chocolate cake are available for your care package use, here.
    Three printable mug cake recipes.

    Related recipes

    Pineapple Mug Cake gives a tropical spin to vanilla mug cake with bits of canned pineapple for a fruity treat.

    Coconut Snowball Mug Cake combines coconut and marshmallow creme into an instant, gooey, cake in a mug.

    Biscoff Mug Cake is a spiced cake for anyone who loves cookie butter.

    Hot chocolate Mug Cake has chocolate cake topped with marshmallow.

    Why wait for Starbuck's PSL season when you can have a Pumpkin Spice Latte Mug Cake right now?

    First Published: October 18, 2017. Last Updated: April 29, 2024. Updated for additional information and better user experience.

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    Comments

    1. Monica

      October 19, 2017 at 10:29 am

      I love this! You are creating and spreading a whole lot of cheer and I applaud you. I can't see how this could possibly not make a person feel special and thought of.

      Reply
    2. Nicola | Serendipity Bakes

      October 19, 2017 at 12:44 am

      Hi Wendy! This is such a lovely idea - I just love these care packages and the sentiments behind them ?Whether at uni or deployed overseas or somewhere else in the world, who wouldn't love one of these gorgeous packages in the mail?! Totally inspiring xo

      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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