Microwave Strawberry Mug Cake with Ganache

This microwave mug cake is moist and tender with none of that rubbery mess that you may expect from mug cakes. You can eat it straight from the mug for a no-muss, no-fuss dessert, or plate it and top with an easy 2-ingredient ganache for a special treat.

What is a Mug Cake

That's an easy one. It's simply a cake baked in a mug and usually serves one. All ingredients are whisked together in the mug then microwaved for a short period of time. Best eaten warm with your favorite toppings.

Toppings

Take your strawberry mug cake to the next level by adding one or more of these toppings.

• Sprinkles
• Whipped Cream
• Ice Cream
• Frostings - chocolate ganache or buttercream frosting
• Pie Fillings/Toppings - blueberry, strawberry, peach, apple
• Fresh Fruit - sliced strawberries, bananas, blueberries, raspberries, peaches
• Sauces - chocolate, caramel, strawberry, butterscotch, dulce de leche
• Spreads - Nutella, peanut butter, lemon curd
• Spices - cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, poppy seeds
• Nuts - almonds, pecans, peanuts, macadamias
• Candy - mini chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, M&Ms, Milky Way, Butterfinger
• Cookies - Oreos, chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, graham cracker crumbs

Strawberry Mug Cake Ingredients

Cake Mix - is what makes this mug cake recipe so simple. It eliminates the need for measuring flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. See, told you it was easy! I always use Duncan Hines Perfectly Moist Strawberry Supreme Cake Mix to make mine but you can also use Betty Crocker cake mix as well.

Oil - adds moisture to the cake

Egg - helps with the leavening. You can eliminate the egg altogether (the result will be denser) or substitute 2 tablespoons of yogurt, buttermilk, or unsweetened applesauce. Make note that the cake will not rise as high with these substitutes.

Water - makes the perfect no milk mug cake!

How to Make Mug Cake

1. Gather your ingredients and place the cake mix into a mug. Do not grease the mug as this will prevent a nice rise on the cake.
2. Add water to the cake mix.
3. Pour in oil.
4. Add egg. The best way to measure half an egg is to whisk the egg well then measure it out. You can also use egg beaters or an egg replacer for vegan and non-dairy versions. Tip: Make sure the cake mix is also vegan.
5. When all ingredients are added, make sure they only fill the mug up halfway to avoid the mix from overflowing when baking.
6. Whisk until just mixed. Do not overmix as that can make the cake tough.

Now microwave the cake for about 3-½ minutes. And the big question - when's the best time to eat this strawberry cake in a mug? Straight from the microwave while it's still warm!

Tip: Cooking times may vary with each microwave so if the cake seems to need more time, microwave in 15-second intervals until cake is shiny, slightly sticky and springs back lightly when touched.

How to Make Chocolate Ganache

1. Place chopped chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Melt in 30-second increments, stirring in-between, until melted and smooth. Stir in cream.

Pour over microwave mug cake either in the mug or plate and drizzle over the entire cake.

Finish this dessert with your favorite toppings like sliced strawberries or go all out with some whipped cream and a few sprinkles!

So what are you waiting for? Grab a mug, a whisk, and 4 ingredients and you'll be sitting down to a warm cake in a mug dessert in 5 minutes! Now that's what I call a dessert for any time you need a little indulgence. Or make one or two for a special occasion like anniversaries or Valentine's Day.

Mug Cake Ideas - Recipe Variations

Limitless flavors with your favorite cake mixes - try with blueberry, chocolate, funfetti mix, lemon, vanilla, carrot cake, yellow, or red velvet cake mix.

Seasonal Mug Cakes - gingerbread or pumpkin

Gluten-free mug cake - easy-peasy, just use a gluten-free cake mix

Vegan mug cake - make sure to use a cake mix that is vegan such as Duncan Hines Carrot Cake, Yellow, or Spice Cake mix, and subbing in non-dairy yogurt for the egg. Most of Betty Crocker's cake mixes are also vegan.

Non-dairy mug cake - this is a mug cake with no milk or butter but check to see that the cake mix is also non-dairy. Follow the vegan version for cake mix suggestions.

More Cake Recipes

Banana Split Cake is cool and creamy, needs no baking, and takes only 30 minutes. It's the perfect dessert for spring and summer BBQs.

One Bowl Surprise Cake is a moist & delicious spice cake topped with a crunchy toasted coconut topping that's perfect to take anywhere.

Texas Sheet Cake from Salt & Baker is an easy-to-make cake that is fluffy and moist with a luscious frosting that is extra chocolatey.

Mandarin Orange Cake with Pineapple Frosting starts with a boxed cake mix flavored with sweet mandarin oranges and topped with a sweet pineapple frosting that complements the citrusy cake. 

Find lots of easy cake recipes here on 2CM!