This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.
I’m absolutely in love with this cake mix mug cake—it’s my go-to treat when I need something sweet! This fluffy, moist dessert bakes up in the microwave or air fryer in just minutes, and it’s the perfect single serving to satisfy those late-night cravings. With only four simple ingredients, it feels like magic every time I whip it up! I can’t believe how delicious it is, especially when I top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, berries, or a sprinkle of chocolate chips. If you’re looking for a quick and easy dessert, this is the recipe you need in your life!
You’re going to love the rich flavor and perfectly gooey center in this cake mix mug cake. If you have a sweet craving, you can whip up this sweet treat in a flash.
If you enjoy baking, you might also like to try cake mix coffee cake, strawberry lemonade cake mix crinkle cookies, or this gingerbread cheesecake.
Why You’ll Love It
Boxed cake mix is convenient: These mixes already contain the dry ingredients, pre-measured and mixed, saving you time and effort in gathering and measuring individual ingredients.
Open to customization: Box cake mixes come in a variety of flavors, so you can experiment with different tastes and textures. Whether you prefer classic chocolate, a decadent red velvet, or devil’s food cake, there’s a perfect chocolate cake mix flavor for you!
Such a delicious mug cake: The flavor is so good – rich and chocolatey. And that ooey-gooey center is heavenly!
Mug Cake From a Cake Mix Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Boxed cake mix: The main ingredient in this mug cake recipe with cake mix.
Applesauce: For flavor as well as moisture (I like this sugar-free one!)
Milk: Use dairy or non-dairy milk.
Water: Just a splash.
Vegetable oil: Or your favorite cooking oil.
How to Make Mug Cake Using Cake Mix
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare the cake batter: Add the cake mix, applesauce, milk, water, and oil to a large mug and whisk with a fork to mix.
Bake it: Microwave for 90 seconds or until it’s risen and set. Alternatively, cook it for 8 to 10 minutes at 350°F in your air fryer. Let it cool slightly before serving.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten-free mug cake: If you want a gluten-free version of this cake mix mug cake recipe, use a gluten-free chocolate cake mix (I like this one!).
Different flavor cake mix: You can use any cake mix you want! I like to keep some boxed cake mix in the pantry at all times. It keeps for months and is great for whipping up a mug cake whenever I get a craving.
More chocolatey: Add a few chocolate chips.
Applesauce: Use another kind of puree – pumpkin puree would be good.
Other add-ins: Peanut butter chips or mini chocolate chips (any kind) are always good. Or what about mini marshmallows or raisins?
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: Begin your meal with sheet pan crab legs or pizza sliders.
Main course: Next up, try this pumpkin sausage gnocchi, pork chop bites or a salmon rice bowl.
Desserts: Finish up by serving this mug cake with chocolate box mix.
How to Store Chocolate Mug Cake
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze a mug cake for up to 3 months as long as it’s tightly wrapped or in an airtight container.
Thaw: Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight or on the counter for an hour or so.
Reheat: The easiest way to reheat it is in the microwave.
Top Tips
Toppings: Toppings such as whipped cream, ice cream, fresh fruit, chocolate syrup, chopped nuts, and powdered sugar are always good.
Leftover cake mix? You can freeze it in an airtight bag or container for future use. Another idea is to sprinkle cake mix over ice cream, yogurt or oatmeal for a sweet topping.
How the cake rises: If you want the cake to rise to the top of the mug or billow over the top, use a 6 to 8 ounce microwave and/or heat-safe mug or ramekin. If you want to leave room to load toppings into the mug, use a 10 to 12 ounce microwave and/or heat-safe mug or ramekin. Keep in mind the cake mix you use will also affect how high your mug cake rises.
Mix thoroughly: Ensure all ingredients are well mixed to avoid pockets of dry ingredients in the finished cake.
Use the right mug: Use a microwave safe mug is a must (check the bottom to ensure it’s safe for the microwave). Porcelain and ceramic are thicker materials and tend to hold heat well, resulting in an evenly-cooked mug cake. These materials are typically microwave safe, as is glass.
Don’t overfill the mug: Leave some space at the top of the mug to allow the cake to rise as it cooks without overflowing.
Adjust cooking time: Microwave wattages vary, so adjust the cooking time as you need to. Start with the recommended time and adjust as needed to prevent overcooking.
Let it rest: Allow the mug cake to cool for a minute or 2 before digging in. This allows the cake to set and prevents burns from hot steam.
Experiment and have fun: Don’t be afraid to try a different flavor of cake mix, such as yellow cake mix for a vanilla mug cake or even strawberry cake mix to find your perfect mug cake. Funfetti mug cake is always a winner.
Mug Cake with Cake Mix FAQs
You can count on consistent results every time. The proportions of ingredients are precisely formulated to give a moist, flavorful cake. They can be stored in the pantry for extended periods without spoiling, so the moment you have a craving you can grab one and whip up something delicious!
The air fryer produces a moist and fluffy texture with a slightly crispy exterior. The circulating hot air cooks the cake evenly and relatively fast. The microwave is the quickest and easiest method because it rapidly heats the cake batter, causing it to rise and cook within minutes. Microwave mug cakes can be denser than air fried ones but still taste good.
This is about portion control and convenience. Individual mug cakes are single-serving portions that use smaller quantities of ingredients. While you could follow the box mix instructions and scale them down for individual mug cakes, it’s usually more convenient to adjust the ingredients based on the portion size wanted and the mug capacity.
Easy Chocolate Cake Mix Mug Cake Recipe
Cake Mix Mug Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 7 Tablespoons chocolate cake mix
- 2 Tablespoons applesauce, or similar puree such as pumpkin
- 3 Tablespoons milk, dairy or non-dairy
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil, or melted butter
Optional Toppings:
- chocolate chips, or sprinkles
- chocolate syrup
- fresh berries
Instructions
To Make a Whole Batch
Microwave Instructions:
- In a small bowl, prepare the boxed cake mix according to the instructions on the box. Whisk until the mixture forms a smooth batter. Do not over-mix.
- Evenly distribute the batter into microwave-safe mugs or ramekins, filling them about 2/3 full. Be sure to leave room at the top of the cake batter for the cake to rise.
- Cook the mug cakes in the microwave on high for about 90 seconds. Cooking time may vary depending on the wattage of your microwave, so keep an eye on the cake as it cooks. The cake is done when it rises and appears set on top, and when you insert a toothpick, it comes out clean.
- Carefully remove the mug cakes from the microwave and set them on a heat-safe surface to cool.
Air Fryer Instructions:
- In a small bowl, prepare the chocolate cake mix according to the instructions on the box. Stir until the mixture forms a smooth batter.
- Evenly distribute the batter into heat-safe mugs or ramekins, filling them up to about 2/3 full. Be sure to leave room for the cake to rise.
- While preheating isn't necessary for most air fryer recipes, some users prefer to preheat for a few minutes. If you prefer, you can preheat your air fryer to 350°F for about 3 minutes. However, it's not strictly required for mug cakes.
- Carefully place the mugs with the cake batter into the air-fryer basket.
- Set the temperature of the air fryer to 350°F and cook the mug cakes for 8 to 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on the cake as it cooks, adding only a couple of minutes at a time beyond the initial 8 to 10 minutes. The cake is done when it rises and appears set on top, and when you insert a toothpick, it comes out clean.
- Carefully remove the mug cakes from the air fryer (the mugs will be hot) and set them on a heat-safe surface to cool.
To Make One Mug Cake
Microwave Instructions:
- Combine the chocolate cake mix, apple sauce (or other puree), milk, water, and oil in a mug. Use a small whisk or fork to combine the ingredients until the mixture forms a smooth batter. Do not over-mix.
- Cook the mug cake in the microwave on high for approximately 90 seconds. Cooking time may vary depending on the wattage of your microwave, so keep an eye on the cake as it cooks. The cake is done when it rises and appears set on top.
- Carefully remove the mug cake from the microwave and set it on a heat-safe surface to cool.
Air Fryer Instructions:
- In a mug, combine the chocolate cake mix, apple sauce (or other puree), milk, water, and oil. Use a small whisk or fork to combine the ingredients until the mixture forms a smooth batter. Do not over-mix.
- Preheat your air fryer (optional). While preheating isn't necessary for most air fryer recipes, some users prefer to preheat for a few minutes. If you prefer, you can preheat your air fryer to 350°F for about 3 minutes. However, it's not strictly required for mug cakes.
- Carefully place the mug with the cake batter into the air-fryer basket.
- Set the temperature of the air fryer to 350°F and cook the mug cake for 8 to 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on the cake as it cooks. If the cake is not done after 8 to 10 minutes, continue baking in 2-minute increments. The cake is done when it rises and appears set on top.
- Carefully remove the mug cakes from the air fryer (the mugs will be hot) and set them on a heat-safe surface to cool.
Notes
Leftover cake mix? You can freeze it in an airtight bag or container for future use. Another idea is to sprinkle cake mix over ice cream, yogurt or oatmeal for a sweet topping.
How the cake rises: If you want the cake to rise to the top of the mug or billow over the top, use a 6 to 8 ounce microwave and/or heat-safe mug or ramekin. If you want to leave room to load toppings into the mug, use a 10 to 12 ounce microwave and/or heat-safe mug or ramekin. Keep in mind the cake mix you use will also affect how high your mug cake rises.
Mix thoroughly: Ensure all ingredients are well mixed to avoid pockets of dry ingredients in the finished cake.
Use the right mug: Use a microwave safe mug is a must (check the bottom to ensure it’s safe for the microwave). Porcelain and ceramic are thicker materials and tend to hold heat well, resulting in an evenly-cooked mug cake. These materials are typically microwave safe, as is glass.
Don’t overfill the mug: Leave some space at the top of the mug to allow the cake to rise as it cooks without overflowing.
Adjust cooking time: Microwave wattages vary, so adjust the cooking time as you need to. Start with the recommended time and adjust as needed to prevent overcooking.
Let it rest: Allow the mug cake to cool for a minute or 2 before digging in. This allows the cake to set and prevents burns from hot steam.
Experiment and have fun: Don’t be afraid to try a different flavor of cake mix, such as yellow cake mix for a vanilla mug cake or even strawberry cake mix to find your perfect mug cake. Funfetti mug cake is always a winner.
Nutrition
This mug cake with chocolate box mix is so good. It’s super-easy to whip up and you can make a batch or an individual mug cake as you prefer and then cook them in the microwave or air fryer. These are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth cravings. And you can be diving into a delicious microwave mug cake in mere minutes!
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
