There’s nothing better than having something comforting in the cold months. With autumn already here and winter warming up (ha) to grace our doors, why not try making a cake in a mug as a nice dessert before cosying up in your blankets?
It is easy to make and is very tasty as well. If you want to fix up something for your sweet tooth, then a cake in a mug is a perfect choice.
While there are many variants, the most common is the chocolate cake in a mug, and its ingredients are available in all our kitchens at any given time.
Calories in a mug cake
If we consider all the ingredients for a singular mug cake, then a normal cake would weigh around 193 grams, and it will contain around 820 calories.
The breakdown is as follows-
- Fat – 56 per cent
- Carbohydrates – 40 per cent
- Protein – 4 per cent
If you do end up feeling guilty about indulging in a cake, our first advice would be that you don’t feel so. Eating is not something you need to earn, and it is not something that you need to compensate for either.
However, if you are one of those people who is very health conscious then we can tell you that you can burn off 820 calories with 110 minutes of regular cycling or 80 minutes of running as well.
How to make a cake in a mug
To make a mug cake, you need to have the basic ingredients like flour, sugar, cocoa powder etc. If you don’t have them, it will take an easy trip to the grocery store and you will have all the things that you require. If you have kids, you can make it a fun little outing with them and then have a day full of cooking with sweet results. The best part about this recipe is that it uses no eggs and any dairy product can be replaced with vegan products.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsps. all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsps. sugar
- 2 tbsps. cocoa powder
- ¼ tbsps.. baking powder
- A pinch of salt, or rock salt
- 3 tbsps. milk – any would do, dairy, soy, almond
- 3 tbsps. vegetable oil – try using this or any other flavourless oil
- with a bit of vanilla extract – don’t get fooled by the name, the more you use, the bitter it tastes
- like chocolate chips – as many as you want, but yeah you have to have a limit
How to make a mug cake
It might seem like making a cake in a mug is a tough task, because it has the word cake in it, but it is quite effortless.
All you have to do is –
- Have a ceramic mug that is safe to use in a microwave.
- Put all your ingredients in the mug and use an egg whisk or fork to mix it properly.
- Make sure that you add the milk, vanilla extract and vegetable oil in the end and then add the chocolate chips.
- Microwave it for 90 seconds. If you overcook it thinking it will make it better, then you are wrong, the cake will dry up.
- Cool for a couple of minutes or so before digging in.
Low-fat chocolate mug cake
If you want to indulge in a cake in a mug but are very strictly watching your weight, here is a low-fat option for you as well.
You can replace the sugar with granulated sugar, and use only 2 tbsps. of self-rising flour. Instead of vegetable oil, you can use 1 teaspoon of reduced butter fat or even coconut oil.
The cocoa powder you use can also be replaced with the unsweetened version of it.
Use skimmed milk or other vegan alternatives and use fewer chocolate chips.
These are some ways by which you can reduce the calories in your cake in a mug.
Bonus – a 2 ingredients vanilla mug cake
If you are running low on ingredients and want something for a party that you are throwing, or you just want something sweet in the middle of the night, here is the easiest cake in a mug recipe for you!
All you need is ¼ cup yellow cake mix, 2 tbsp. fat-free vanilla yoghurt and sprinkles for topping if you are into that.
Just use a microwave-friendly ceramic mug to mix all the ingredients. Use a little water to make it all stick together. Place in the microwave for 2 minutes. Let it cool for 5 minutes or up and then enjoy!
Other options for a cake in a mug
If you are looking for other options, you can also use a vanilla cake mix, or strawberry mix as well. Make sure you use the right ingredients or else the cake might not taste well.
If you want a little fancy touch to it, you can drizzle Himalayan rock salt and caramel on your cake, but only ever so little. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy yourself in your favourite pair of pyjamas.
You can always top it with ice cream or bits of chocolate cookie and other similar ingredients to elevate the taste. We would just like to tell you to not indulge too much or else you will be craving it every night! It is indeed the perfect dessert and comfort food that can help you drive the blues away!
A cake in a mug is the perfect idea for parties and sleepovers. You and your friends can all bring your favourite ceramic mugs and frostings and toppings to add to it. Going through a breakup? Why not invite your friends over and weep over some comforting chocolate cake in a mug? It might not bring them back, but who cares anymore right, the cake is that good. Just made it through a tough day? You deserve a treat! It is the perfect food for all sorts of moods indeed.
Happy eating!