When it’s midnight and the craving for something sweet hits, the last thing you want is to spend hours in the kitchen. That’s when I get really excited to share my go-to dessert: the 5-Minute Red Velvet Mug Cake. It takes just 5 minutes to whip up from start to finish, including the microwaving. The texture is ultra moist and velvety, just like a classic red velvet cake. It tastes good enough to be surprising how easy it is to make.
Now, I will be honest—this is not your typical oven-baked cake, and microwaves are not quite as capable of baking as ovens. But given the effort to output ratio, this mug cake is literally a lifesaver. The quick, simple cream cheese frosting that goes on top is the perfect icing on the cake, both figuratively and literally. It’s a fantastic solution that’ll satisfy your cravings without the hassle.
TIPS TO MAKE RED VELVET MUG CAKE
Creating a perfect red velvet mug cake in the microwave can be quick and satisfying if you follow a few essential steps. Below are some key tips to ensure your cake turns out just right.
1. Choose the Right Mug
- Microwave safe: Ensure the mug is safe for use in the microwave.
- Capacity: Choose a mug with a 10- to 12-ounce capacity. This size allows the batter to rise without overflowing or causing a spill.
2. Start with Wet Ingredients
- Mixing with ease: Begin by adding the wet ingredients first. This makes it easier to mix everything together evenly.
- Avoid clumps: Starting with dry ingredients can cause clumps of flour to form in the corners of the mug, which are difficult to mix in.
3. Sift dry ingredients
Minimize lumps: Sift the dry ingredients before adding them to the mug. This step helps to minimize lumps and ensures a smoother batter.
4. Adjust sweetness to your preference.
Sugar adjustment: Change the amount of sugar to customize the sweetness. Typically, two tablespoons result in a mildly sweet cake, but you can add more or less based on your taste.
5. Bake in the microwave
- Timing: Place mug in the microwave. The amount of time required can vary depending on your microwave’s power settings and the size of your mug. Generally, it takes 60-90 seconds.
- Power settings: Different microwaves have varying power settings, which can affect cooking time.
6. Check for doneness
- Judge by appearance: Around the 75-second mark, pause the microwave and check the cake. If you see wet batter on the surface, it needs more time.
- Texture test: If the cake pushes back when lightly poked, it’s ready to eat.
7. Adjust the texture
- Moist and dense: For a moist, dense cake, opt for a shorter cooking time.
- Dry and spongey: If you prefer a dry, spongey texture, let the cake cook a bit longer.
This structured approach will help you create a delicious red velvet mug cake that’s perfectly tailored to your preferences.
VARIATIONS
One of the best things about this recipe is how simple it is to play around with different variations to suit your tastes. You can start by adjusting the quantity of sugar to make it as sweet as you like. If you’re a fan of chocolate, try adding chocolate chips—whether milk, semi, or white, they all work beautifully. For a richer, more chocolatey flavor, increase the cocoa powder and omit the red food color. If you’re in the mood for something different, remove the cocoa and turn it into a delightful vanilla cake by adding more vanilla extract.
And don’t forget about the toppings! Enhance your cake with a drizzle of chocolate ganache, a spread of Nutella, or a swirl of buttercream. Each option adds a unique twist, making this versatile dessert perfect for any craving.
Red Velvet Mug Cake
Ingredients
Cake:
- 4 tbsp. milk (60g)
- ½ tbsp. white vinegar
- ½ tsp. vanilla
- 1 ½ tbsp. vegetable oil (20g)
- 4 tbsp all purpose flour (32g)
- Few drops of gel red food color
- ½ tbsp cocoa powder (4g)
- 2 tbsp. sugar (27g)
- ¼ tsp. baking powder
- ⅛ tsp. salt
Cream cheese frosting:
- 1 tbsp. cream cheese, room temperature (15g)
- 1 tbsp. heavy cream
- 1-2 tbsp. powdered sugar, to taste
Instructions
- Ensure you have a microwave-safe mug.
- Add milk, vinegar, oil, and vanilla into the mug.
- Use a whisk or fork to mix the ingredients together.
- Introduce the red food color and ensure it’s evenly diluted.
- Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and sugar.
- Whisk the mixture until it forms a smooth batter. Be careful not to overmix.
- Place the mug in the microwave on the default setting.
- Cook for 60 to 90 seconds, depending on how the microwave's power may vary.
- Allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes; consider placing it in the fridge to speed up the cooling process.
- Meanwhile, prepare the cream cheese frosting by mixing cream and cheese until it turns creamy.
- Spread the frosting generously over the cooled cake.
- Serve and enjoy your treat.