It is said there is no short cut to success. But that was before the mug cake was invented. Three minutes and sometimes even less, is what it takes to bake a cake in a mug. To hold a perfectly risen mass of flour packed with sugar and other ingredients is always a pleasure. And happiness doubles while holding one’s favourite mug with a cake in it.
These microwavable cups of sweetness are perhaps the best baking experience, only next to colourful and flavour-packed cupcakes. For those who are hard-pressed for time, especially working woman, mug cakes are the best bets when it comes to preparing home-made cakes in a jiffy. “I love baking but given my busy schedule, I could hardly take out time to make a traditional cake that requires hours of preparations. Mug cakes, which are easy to bake and require only a few ingredients, are my saviours when I want to satiate my cravings for cakes. They are not only fun but are also great stress busters,” says Babita Neog Gogoi, an IT professional working in Gurgaon and a baking enthusiast.
With a few basic tools like a spoon, fork and, of course, a mug and a microwave, there is hardly a chance that you can go wrong with these. The best part is that the ingredients are measured in spoonfuls. Besides the few basic ingredients like flour, sugar, butter, eggs and baking powder, one can add fruits, chocolates, preserves and many more to give this cake a different flavour and colour.
To help your imagination rule your favourite mug, we bring to you a few recipes of wonderful and easy-to-bake mug cakes.
STAWBERRY AND CREAM MUG CAKE
Ingredients
■ 1 egg
■ 2 tbsp strawberry yogurt, well stirred
■ 1 tbsp vegetable oil
■ 1/8 tsp baking powder
■1/8 tsp vanilla extract
■ 4 tbsp granulated sugar
■ 5 tbsp all-purpose flour
■ 1/4 cup fresh sliced strawberries and whipped cream for serving
Method
■ Coat the inside of the mug lightly with cooking oil or butter and dust it with flour. Set aside.
■ Mix the egg, yogurt, vegetable oil, baking powder, extract, sugar and flour in a small bowl until completely smooth.
■ Fill the mug to halfway full and place it in the microwave. Bake it for 2 to 3 mintues, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Top with strawberries and whipped cream and serve.
CHOCOLATE AND PEANUT BUTTER MUG CAKE
Ingredients
■ 1 tbsp of butter
■ 6 cubes of dark chocolate
■ 1½ tsp peanut butter
■ 1 egg
■ 1 tbsp brown sugar
■ 5 tbsp plain flour
■ ½ tsp baking powder
For the filling:
■ 2 tsp peanut butter
METHOD
■ In a mug, melt the butter with the chocolate in the microwave for 30–40 seconds at 800 watts.
■ Beat the mixture until smooth, then allow it to cool slightly.
■ Add the rest of the ingredients one by one and whisk until it’s smooth. Cook in the microwave at 800 watts for 50 seconds.
■ Place the spoonful of peanut butter over the mixture and using a spoon, push it into the middle. Bake for another 40 seconds.
■ Allow it to rest for a minute before serving.