5-Minute Mug Cake Recipes Your Kids Will Love

Who doesn’t love cakes? But baking a cake can take a lot of time and effort, especially for a novice. In the present times of the pandemic where there are work-from-home deadlines and no house help, people are finding ways to make hassle-free meals that require less time and need fewer dishes. The invention of the microwave mug cake has proven to be a blessing for all households, especially the ones with kids. A mug cake recipe is quick and requires very few ingredients to make. So bake away and satiate your kids’ sweet tooth in a healthy way.

10 Kid-Friendly Mug Cake Recipes That Are Worth Trying

1. Vanilla Mug Cake

None of the new fancy flavours can beat the simplicity and indulgence of a plain vanilla flavoured cake. This classic cake can be paired with any topping of your child’s choice for a filling and fulfilling snack option.

Prep Time: 5 minutes 

Cooking Time: 2 minutes

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup plain flour (maida)
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
• Rainbow sprinkles for garnish (optional)

Method:

1. Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl.
2. In another bowl, whisk the milk with vanilla extract.
3. Make a well in the centre of the bowl with the dry ingredients and pour the milk mixture.
4. Now add the melted butter and whisk until you get a smooth batter.
5. Pour into a microwave-safe mug and put it inside the microwave for 2 minutes.
6. Remove the vanilla mug cake from the microwave, garnish with rainbow sprinkles and enjoy.

2. Chocolate Mug Cake

Chocolate goes with almost anything (and it is delicious on its own). The next time your kids ask for a piece of chocolate, give them this sinful chocolate cake instead. This cake can even be the part of your Christmas spread. Also, check out 8 sinful christmas cake recipes that you can make this festive season here.

Prep Time: 5 minutes 

Cooking Time: 2 minutes

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup plain flour (maida)
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons melted butter/vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon chocolate chip cookies

Method:

1. Whisk the dry ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Add the milk and butter/oil and whisk till a smooth batter is formed.
3. Pour half of this chocolate mug cake batter into a microwaveable mug, add the chocolate chips and top off with the rest of the batter. Now give the batter a good mix. (This step ensures that the chocolate chips don’t sink to the bottom of the mug.)
4. Microwave on high heat for 80-90 seconds.
5. Carefully remove the chocolate mug cake and serve.

3. Chocolate Lava Mug Cake

Want to make something special for the kids? Use this easy mug cake recipe and watch them jump with joy as they discover the yummy melted chocolate in the centre of their cake.

Prep Time: 10 minutes (including resting time)

Cooking Time: 2 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons plain flour (maida)
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• ¼ tablespoon baking powder
• 4 tablespoons milk
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Chocolate truffle/chocolate bar for the gooey centre
• A pinch of salt

Method:

1. Mix the dry ingredients together.
2. Combine the milk, melted butter, vanilla extract and egg.
3. Whisk the wet and dry ingredients together to make a smooth batter.
4. Fill a quarter of a microwavable mug with the batter.
5. Place a few large pieces of the chocolate bar or a chocolate truffle in the centre of the mug.
6. Add the rest of the batter to the mug.
7. Add one tablespoon of water on top of the batter and put in the microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds. At this time the edges should look cooked but the centre should be a little wet.
8. Let the chocolate lava mug cake sit on the counter for 5 minutes so the centre can become thick and gooey.

4. 2-Ingredient Oreo Mug Cake

Why settle for milk and oreo when you can use the exact same ingredients to make a delicious mug cake. Surprise the kids with this quick and easy adaptation of their usual evening snack.

Prep Time: 5 minutes 

Cooking Time: < 2 minutes

Ingredients:

• 6 oreo cookies
• 4-5 tablespoons milk
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder (optional)

Method:

1. Crush the oreo cookies to make a fine powder. 
2. Put the oreo powder in a microwaveable mug.
3. You may add the baking powder to the oreo powder to make the cake fluffy.
4. Add 4 or 5 tablespoons of milk until you get a batter-like consistency.
5. Place in the microwave on high heat for 75 seconds.
6. Garnish the oreo mug cake with oreo cookies and serve.

5. Banana Mug Cake

This cake combines the fun of eating cake with the goodness and energy of the banana. The best part is that most of the sweetness comes from the banana, keeping usage of sugar minimal. This recipe is just what you need for active and growing kids.

Prep Time: 10 minutes 

Cooking Time: 2 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons plain flour (maida)
• 1 egg
• A pinch of salt
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 teaspoon sugar/honey
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon butter (melted)
• 2 tablespoons milk

Method:

1. Mash the banana with the help of a fork/blender.
2. Take the mashed banana, melted butter, egg, sugar/honey, salt, baking powder and milk in a microwaveable mug and whisk everything together until combined.
3. Add the flour and mix everything together to form a smooth batter.
4. Place the mug in the microwave for 2 minutes.
5. Insert a toothpick to check if the banana mug cake is cooked at the centre. If not, microwave again for a minute.

6. Mug Cake Nutella

If your children are Nutella fans, this mug cake recipe is the ideal snack for them. It is more nutritious and filling when compared to plain Nutella. Also, usage of milk and the absence of added sugar makes it healthier than the other store-bought snack options.

Prep Time: 5 minutes 

Cooking Time: 2 minutes

Ingredients:

• ¼ teaspoon baking powder (optional)
• ¼ cup plain flour (maida)
• ¼ cup Nutella
• 3 tablespoons milk
• Vanilla ice cream (optional)

Method:

1. Take all the ingredients in a microwaveable mug.
2. Whisk them together with a fork till there are no visible lumps.
3. Microwave on high heat for one and a half minutes.
4. Insert a toothpick in the centre of the cake to ensure it is cooked.
5. If not, microwave for another 30 seconds.
6. Top the mug cake Nutella with the ice cream (optional) and enjoy.

7. Eggless Mug Cake

Vegetarians often face challenges while trying to find eggless cakes. This mug cake recipe is not only eggless, it is also customisable, quick, easy and healthy. An ideal way to include fruits in your child’s diet, this mug cake is sure to become a favourite in your household.

Prep Time: 5 minutes 

Cooking Time: 2 minutes

Ingredients:

• 10 blueberries
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 4 tablespoons plain flour (maida)
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon oil/ butter (melted)
• 3 tablespoons milk

Method:

1. Combine all the dry ingredients in a microwaveable mug.
2. Add the oil/melted butter and milk and whisk with a fork.
3. Fold the blueberries into the batter in a way that they are covered in the batter.
4. Microwave on high heat for 2 minutes.
5. Top this eggless mug cake with some more fresh blueberries and enjoy.

8. Red Velvet Mug Cake

Red velvet cakes are a favourite with adults as well as kids. This mug cake recipe allows you to prepare this dessert for your kids in the comfort of your home, with the ingredients available at home.

Prep Time: 5 minutes 

Cooking Time: 2 minutes

Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 tablespoons plain flour (maida)
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• A pinch of salt
• 2 drops red food colouring

Method:

1. Whisk the milk, butter and vinegar together.
2. Mix the flour, sugar, salt, cocoa powder and baking powder.
3. Combine the wet and dry ingredients in a microwave-safe mug.
4. Add the melted butter and food colouring.
5. Whisk all the ingredients together to form a smooth batter.
6. Microwave on high heat for 2 minutes.
7. You can also add white chocolate chips or cream cheese to this mug cake recipe.

9. Pumpkin Mug Cake 

Does your child run from eating veggies? This mug cake is sure to make you and your child happy. While you can be relieved that the kids are consuming vegetables, they get to relish a homemade cake.

Prep Time: 15 minutes 

Cooking Time: 2 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree (this can be made by first boiling the pumpkin and then blending it in a mixer)
• 2 tablespoons sugar/honey
• 4 tablespoons plain flour (maida)
• ½  teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
• 3 tablespoons milk
• ½  teaspoon vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt
• A pinch of cinnamon (dalchini) powder
• A pinch of ginger (adrak) powder
• A pinch of nutmeg (jaiphal) powder

Method:

1. Mix the dry ingredients in a microwavable mug.
2. Add the pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, melted butter and milk to the mug and whisk until combined.
3. Place the mug in the microwave for 1 to two minute, till the toothpick inserted comes out clean.
4. Garnish with powdered sugar (optional) and serve.

10. Apple Mug Cake

An apple a day keeps the doctor away and an apple cake a day keeps tantrums away. This easy and quick mug cake will make sure you don’t have to run after your children to get them to finish their evening snack.

Prep Time: 10 minutes 

Cooking Time: 2 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 tablespoons plain flour (maida)
• ½  teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
• 3 tablespoons milk
• ½  teaspoon vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt
• A pinch of cinnamon (dalchini) powder
• 1  egg
• Half apple (peeled and finely chopped)

Method:

1. Mix the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and cinnamon (dalchini) powder in a microwave-safe mug.
2. Mix the milk, butter, vanilla extract and egg in another bowl/mug till they are well combined.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the mug with dry ingredients.
4. Add the chopped apple.
5. Whisk everything together till a smooth batter is formed.
6. Keep the mug in the microwave for 2 minutes.

Tips And Tricks For Newbie Bakers

1. Never fill the mug till the brim. The cake needs some space to rise.
2. While putting the mug cake in the microwave, keep a paper towel below the mug to catch any batter spill.
3. The time required for the microwave mug cake to cook will depend on the size, make and voltage of the microwave. You might have to keep an eye on the cake for the first few times to determine the perfect time required for your microwave.
4. Self-raising flour can be used instead of plain flour. If you do so, there is no need to add baking soda.
5. There are a variety of garnishes which can be added to enhance the taste of a mug cake recipe. These include gummy bears, caramel or chocolate sauce, nuts, chocolate shavings, whipped cream, ice cream and fresh fruits.
6. For best results, make sure that the eggs and batter are at room temperature.
7. Drizzle a tablespoon of water on top of the batter before placing it in the microwave. This will prevent the mug cake from overcooking and becoming too dry.
8. If you do not keep baking powder at home, you can use baking soda and vinegar instead. (1 teaspoon of baking powder = ¼ teaspoon of baking soda + ½ teaspoon of vinegar).
9. Microwave mug cakes are meant for immediate consumption. However, if you do need to reheat them, do so only for 10-15 seconds to prevent overdrying.

Gone are the days when Maggi was the only thing you could whip up in a jiffy. Just choose an easy mug cake recipe from the list above and earn brownie points with everyone at home (quite literally). The cherry on top is that microwave mug cake portions are individual-sized so you can have your kids customise their mug cakes depending on their preferences. No preheating and no resting time, all you need is a mug and a microwave to whip up these goodies.