Sweeney - Best mug cakes ever: treat yourself to homemade cake for one in five minutes or less

Mug cakes are a revolutionary discovery for people who crave homemade cake. It is almost unbelievable that you can mix a few simple ingredients together in a mug andpresto!you are rewarded with a warm, delicious, homemade cake in less than 5 minutes from start to finish! But its true, and in this book I will show you how easy it is to create 50 different kinds of mug cakes using ingredients you can keep on hand so you are prepared whenever the craving hits. Each of the recipes in this book is scaled to make one hearty portion. I have fairly large mugs, so if your mug is much smaller, you may need to adjust the proportions to make less batter, or save the extra for another cake. It is important that you never fill the mug more than halfway, or you are likely to end up with a messy cake explosion in your microwave when it bubbles over. You will probably figure out pretty quickly which of your mugs is best for thisit has to be microwave-safe (obviously) and the right size, and it helps if it isnt one of those mugs that gets burning hot in the microwave.

You can also put the batter into a ramekin or microwave-safe bowl if you want, but it will be less cute that way. The instructions for the cakes call for mixing everything right in the mug, which makes for an easy cleanup. However, you might find you prefer to mix the ingredients in a separate bowl or measuring cup and pour the batter into the mug, which makes for a cleaner presentation of the finished cake. It is entirely up to you.

The ingredients in these recipes are mostly pantry staples that you can keep on hand, which is one of the magnificent benefits of mug cakes. Self-rising flour, which is just flour with baking powder and salt added to it, is featured in almost every recipe in this book, and is readily available at any supermarket. Self-rising flour, which is just flour with baking powder and salt added to it, is featured in almost every recipe in this book, and is readily available at any supermarket.

It cuts down on the number of ingredients you need to pull out of your cabinets and measure to make each cake, so its a real time-saver when you are making something as quick and easy as a mug cake. You can make your own self-rising flour if you dont have it on hand. SELF-RISING FLOUR 1 cup all-purpose flour 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container.

One of the challenges in adapting standard cake recipes to mugs is how to address the egg issue. A regular layer cake has 2 or 3 eggs in 12 servingsfor a single-serving cake, using a whole egg would make an overly eggy cake. After some experimentation, I determined that 2 tablespoons of beaten egg is the right amount for most mug cakes.

You can achieve this a couple of different ways: You can beat an egg and measure out 2 tablespoons, then save the rest for another use, or you can use liquid egg substitute (like Egg Beaters). Egg Beaters are always good to have on hand, since they keep for a long time and are super easy to use.

Unlike regular ovens, which are calibrated to standard temperatures, microwave ovens vary in strength. You will have to experiment with cooking times to determine the right one for your microwave. The first time you make a mug cake, stop the cooking and check it for doneness after about 45 seconds. If it is done, the sides will have pulled away from the mug and the top will look set, but not totally dry.

If its still runny in the middle, cook it at 15-second intervals until it is done. You dont want to overcook your mug cake, as it will become rubbery and dry. The temperature of your ingredients will affect the cooking time, so plan to cook a mug cake longer if it has frozen or cold fruit or liquids in it. Some of the denser cakes (like Banana) take a little longer to cook. After you try it a couple of times, you will know exactly how long your microwave takes to cook a mug cake and can adjust the recommended cooking times here accordingly.

The classic indulgence that kicked off the mug cake craze, this rich, chocolate treat is a thing of absolute beauty.The classic indulgence that kicked off the mug cake craze, this rich, chocolate treat is a thing of absolute beauty.

You will never believe you can make such a decadent chocolate cake in just a few minutes! 4 tablespoons self-rising flour 4 tablespoons sugar 3 tablespoons cocoa powder 2 tablespoons beaten egg or liquid egg substitute 3 tablespoons milk 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Mix the flour, sugar, and cocoa powder in a mug. Add the egg, milk, oil, and vanilla and stir until well combined. Microwave on high for 1 minute or until the top is just dry. First we eat, then we do everything else. M. K. K.

Fisher

A delicious little birthday cake in a mug! This is great with a scoop of ice cream, or go the extra mile and whip up a simple frosting to smear on top. This cake has lots of rich vanilla flavor and a moist, tender texture that can easily stand alone, but is truly excellent topped with fresh berries. 4 tablespoons self-rising flour