Easy Mug Cake

Just like French toast in a cup, mug cakes are for days where time (and energy) is limited. Since having Tipsy in my house, all the walking up and down hills, running around in parks, and playing endless hours of fetch have made my sweet tooth go on permanent overdrive. However, after all that playing, last thing I feel like doing is spending a few hours baking delicious cupcakes and meticulously frosting them. Thankfully, there's always mug cake in times of desperation.

It's ridiculously easy to make, and one full recipe can be split into two mugs (or one very large mug). The ingredients are as follows:

4 Tablespoons flour

4 Tablespoons sugar

2 Tablespoons cocoa powder (don't skimp here; use the good, pure stuff)

3 Tablespoons vegetable oil

3 Tablespoons milk

1 egg

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

splash of vanilla extract

pinch of salt

I use Guittard chocolate, but any good quality cocoa powder will do

Basically whisk all those ingredients together and divide between two mugs. However, after a few tries, I've found that there is a technique to it. It's pretty hard to mix everything evenly (meaning without lumps) when just dumping everything into a bowl and going at it. The best way I've found is to first mix the sugar, salt, egg, and liquids together until everything is evenly mixed. Then add half the flour and cocoa powder, and all the baking powder, and mix until no lumps are visible, then add the other half, and again, mix until there are no lumps. Once divided into two mugs, I usually add some chocolate chips on top, because no one ever complained about too much chocolate.

Egg, sugar, and liquid mixture

Cocoa powder and flour whisked into egg mixture 

All that's left is to pop the mug into the microwave. The first time I started with one minute, and nuked it for an additional 15 seconds each time. After making the mug cakes four times, I've discovered that 1 minute, 30 seconds is the amount it takes to cook. 

All finished! Time to eat.

Mug cake certainly will not compare to a real cake, but it is good for days where I want cake but do not want to buy one or take hours to make one. It's also a pretty good way to end a long and tiring day. If I'm feeling extra fancy (or tired), a glass of red wine would go nicely with the cake. Just sayin'.