Cake Mix Mug Cake

Craving a rich chocolatey dessert? Wanting one that’s easy, quick and healthy? Cake mix mug cake is your answer! You only need 2 ingredients and a microwave. In less than one minute, you’ll be enjoying a decadent, fluffy treat that also helps you feel good too.

What is a mug cake?

A mug cake is defined by the following:

1. A cake that’s made in a mug (or ramekin!)
2. A ridiculously easy and almost magic like concept that tastes so delicious and is a great solution to a weeknight treat for the whole family.

Even Better Cake Mix Mug Cake Recipe

So what makes this recipe “even better?”

Here’s the breakdown:

• Minimal Ingredients— there’s no overwhelming ingredients like flour, baking powder, oil, sugar or eggs
• Boxed chocolate cake mix— Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines…or if you’re like me, grab the store brand in Devil’s Food (at Aldi). It all works!
• Cooks fast— 2 ingredients and no raw ingredients. This fluffs right up in half the time of typical mug cakes.
• Added Nutrients— Canned pumpkin!! Why not use your chocolate craving as a way to nourish your body with a powerhouse ingredient?

Don’t worry– the pumpkin blends into the cake mix and lets the chocolate give all the flavor. Yet it gives an amazing boost to this cake– in both consistency and nutrition!

Ingredients

This is truly a 2-ingredient mug cake. All you need is:

• Chocolate (Devil’s Food) Boxed Cake Mix
• Pumpkin Puree
• Whipped Cream for topping (optional)

How to Make 2 Ingredient Cake Mix Mug Cake

This recipe makes two servings in three easy steps. I prefer to mix in a separate bowl then transfer into dish (family of four here!) but you can mix right in the mug.

1. Mix ingredients. Lightly spray each mug or small bowl/ramekin with non-stick cooking spray. In a bowl, mix cake mix and pumpkin puree together until well combined. If you want to add a dab of water, that’s okay too. Divide mixture between two dishes.
2. Bake. Microwave each cake individually for 30-45 seconds, or until fluffy. Remove and let cool for a couple minutes.
3. Enjoy. Eat with a fork right out of dish.

Tips and Tricks

• Dish will be hot upon removing from microwave. Use Hot pad if needed!
• Cook times may vary based on microwave. If this is your first time making this recipe, check on cake at 30 seconds and continue to cook as needed in 15-30 second intervals.
• Customize by topping with frosting, sprinkles, powdered sugar, candies or dried fruit/nuts.
• Substitute milk, water, or applesauce in place of pumpkin
• Variations can be made by using other cake mix flavors. I recommend spice, carrot, yellow or even vanilla cake mix for mug cake recipe.
• Gluten-Free You can even use a gluten-free cake mix and have a gluten free mug cake!

Are mug cakes safe to eat?

Yes! Be sure to use a microwave dish for safety.

Typically, you’d want to make sure you cook these cakes thorough because of raw eggs. Since this recipe is egg free, you don’t have to worry about that.

Cake mixes, like that from a Betty Crocker sized box or even smaller like a jiffy box, cook well in microwave.

And, with these minimal ingredients, the cake stays inside the dish and spills shouldn’t be an issue.

Why are mug cakes mushy?

This recipe will be moist but shouldn’t be mushy. If you’ve had a mug cake in the past that was mushy or had a rubbery texture, it likely came from the oil, or too much oil.

Since you’re using pumpkin here, the texture is a nice fluffy, light cake.

Just be sure not to overspray the dish with non-stick spray to avoid any mushy corners.

Is this healthy?

Chocolate…check

Pumpkin…check

Easy…check

Yep, this is a great option when needing a sweet, pre-portioned treat. I also like it because without leftovers, sitting in a pan on the counter, there’s no temptation to keep eating.

For a reminder of how awesome pumpkin is from a health standpoint, please check out my post on the benefits of pumpkin (and why you should stir it in!)

What else can be made with cake mix?

Wondering what to do with the leftover cake mix?

Save it!

Close up the box or transfer cake mix to an airtight container or bag and keep it on the shelf for this recipe. You’ll get many mug cakes out of one box!

Cake mix can also be used in place of brownie mix in my Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies.

Share the Love

Did you make this? I’d love to have you share! Leave a comment and rating below and be sure to share this recipe with friends. Thank you!