Quick, easy and perfect for when you have a MASSIVE sugar craving that needs a fix (and fast), a cake in a mug really hits the spot. Who doesn’t love the smell of freshly baked homemade cake? Be a baking God or Goddess and treat yourself to some ‘me’ time without all the faff of weighing ingredients, firing up the mixer and the massive load of washing up that’s normally involved.

With these scrummy recipes, your mug will play a starring role 3 times – as mixing bowl, cooking dish and serving bowl. Night or day, special occasion or just because, here are our top 6 cake mug recipes. Bake it like you mean it!

1). Chocolate melting middle cake mug recipe

In at Number 1 is a heavenly cake for the chocoholics among you. It’s rich, gooey pleasure in a mug. And done in under 5 minutes, start to stomach!

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp self-raising flour
• 4 tbsp caster sugar
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 medium egg
• 3 tbsp milk
• 3 tbsp melted butter or sunflower oil
• a few drops of vanilla extract
• one or two squares of chocolate (milk, dark or white, your choice!)

Method:

Get your mug ready (larger is better) and your ingredients, as above. Mix the butter, egg, milk and vanilla extract together in your mug with a spoon (you can use the same one you measured with, if you like) and then gently fold in the self-raising flour, caster sugar and cocoa powder. Once blended smoothly, push in your chocolate square(s) to roughly the centre of the mug. Cover the cake batter over the chocolate, so it’s hidden.

Put the cake in a mug into the microwave for approximately 1.5 – 2 minutes, keeping an eye on it. You don’t want overflow mess! Once it’s out, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and eat IMMEDIATELY.

2). Raspberry jammy middle cake mug recipe

One that the kids will love is the jammy middle cake mug recipe. A vanilla sponge with a surprise, fruity centre, it’s a winner on nippier days. Especially with the added bonus of some raspberries and a splash of custard.

 Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp self-raising flour
• 4 tbsp caster sugar
• 1 medium egg
• 3 tbsp milk
• 3 tbsp melted butter or sunflower oil
• a few drops of vanilla extract
• ½ tablespoon raspberry jam

Method:

Take your mug and trusty tablespoon. Stir the melted butter, egg, milk and vanilla extract together in your mug and carefully mix in the self-raising flour and caster sugar. Once blended smoothly, make a well in the middle of the mug. Dollop half a tablespoon of raspberry jam (or more, if you fancy it!) into the well and cover over with the cake batter.

Pop the mug, filled with its glorious contents, into the microwave for between 1.5 – 2 minutes. Once it’s risen and out, sprinkle a few fresh raspberries on the top (1 of your 5 a day, surely?). For extra naughtiness, add a generous spoonful of warm, fresh vanilla custard. Genius!

3). Coffee cake mug recipe

Why not pair this coffee mug cake with a cup of fresh coffee, for the ultimate coffee luxury? The soft brown sugar makes this cake a bit darker and more treacly in flavour, which we heart. One for the grownups and caffeine lovers!

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp self-raising flour
• 4 tbsp soft brown sugar
• 1 medium egg
• 3 tbsp milk
• 3 tbsp melted butter
• 2tsp strong coffee essence

Method:

Choose your fave mug and have your tablespoon at hand. Blend the melted butter, egg, milk and coffee essence together in your mug and then fold in the self-raising flour and soft brown sugar. Once any lumps and bumps have gone, you’re ready to bake!

Pop your mug into the microwave for 1.5 – 2 minutes and watch through the window as it rises. Once out, gobble up straight away.

4). Lemon cake mug recipe

This one’s a bit posh. Zesty and tangy, this lemon mug cake is full of flavour and, well, lemony loveliness.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp self-raising flour
• 2tbsp ground almonds
• 4 tbsp caster sugar
• 1 medium egg
• 3 tbsp milk
• 3 tbsp melted butter
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon

Method:

Select your fave mug and get your mixing tool out (a tablespoon). Stir the melted butter, egg, milk and lemon juice together quickly in your mug and then beat in the self-raising flour, ground almonds, lemon zest and caster sugar.

You’re now ready to bake, so get it into the microwave for 1.5 – 2 minutes. Once it’s out and you’ve filled the kitchen with citrussy smells, tuck in. Along with a cup of English breakfast tea. Aaaaah, relax.

5). Ginger cake mug recipe

Are you a ginger nut? Did you know ginger is great for the immune system? With that in mind, you have to make this ginger mug cake, guilt free. If you don’t have any crystallised ginger, don’t worry. It’ll still be fab!

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp self-raising flour
• 3 tbsp soft brown sugar
• ½ tablespoon treacle
• 1 medium egg
• 3 tbsp milk
• 3 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• A couple of chunks of crystallised ginger, if you have it (available in a jar in most supermarkets)

Method:

Get your mug to hand and a tablespoon. Blend the melted butter, treacle, egg and milk together in your mug and then gently fold in the self-raising flour, soft brown sugar and ground ginger. Last of all, stir in the chunks of crystallised ginger.

Ingredients combined, it’s time to bake your creation.  Put it into the microwave for 1.5 – 2 minutes and once out, enjoy the light, fluffy sponge and the warming chunks of ginger you come across.

6). Cherry Bakewell cake mug recipe

A Bakewell tart is a well-known classic us Brits love. This faithful twist on it is a yummy, time-saving version that we think works really well!

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp self-raising flour
• 2tbsp ground almonds
• 4 tbsp caster sugar
• 1 medium egg
• 3 tbsp milk
• 3 tbsp melted butter
• A few drops almond extract
• 4 or 5 glacé cherries, halved or left whole

Method:

Take your mug from its cupboard and a pick out your mixing utensil – a tablespoon. Blend the melted butter, egg, milk and almond extract together in your mug and then carefully stir in the self-raising flour, caster sugar and ground almonds. Last but not least, pop in the glacé cherries and cover them with the cake batter.

Bake for 1.5 – 2 minutes in the microwave and once out, serve with a spoonful of clotted cream for the dream team combo!

While you’re waiting for the microwave to ping for your next bake, why not play a game or two online? There’s always time for a quick bingo session or spin on the slots!

If you’ve got some tried and tested cake-in-a-mug recipes, we’d love to hear them. Send us your favourites, below, or tell us how ours worked out for you!