RED VELVET CAKE IN A MUG: Dessert for One

I haven't posted many Cake in a Mug recipes (Cakes for 1) since the pandemic, but I was talking with a friend the other day whose spouse does not eat sweets. She was craving something easy and simple ... and just enough for one, so she wouldn't have the temptation to eat an entire cake. The solution? Cake in a Mug. 

Here's a delicious and easy recipe for Red Velvet Cake in a Mug. I use Wilton's red food coloring (natural) rather than the ones in the small bottles, but it's up to you. Looking for a different Cake in a Mug recipe? Search my blog. :-) FYI: you can use a ramekin or mug. Both work. Just make sure the container is microwave safe.

RED VELVET CAKE IN A MUG

Ingredients

4 Tbsp all purpose flour 
2 Tbsp sugar 
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder 
1/4 tsp baking powder 
3 Tbsp whole milk 
1/4 tsp white vinegar 
1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil (I used canola oil)
Red Food coloring

Directions

Combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and baking power in mug. Stir in milk, vinegar, and oil. Slowly stir in food coloring until you like the color. It is red velvet cake, after all. Maybe 4 drops? 

Microwave for 60 seconds, and continue microwaving 10 second increments until cooked through.  Top with powdered sugar. OK, you might want to top with cream cheese frosting, but that's another step. You can always top with whipped cream.

MOLTEN CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE: Valentine's Day for One

You may be spending Valentine's Day alone this year, but that's not a reason not to celebrate!. Here's a great chocolate Valentine's Day dessert for One: MOLTEN CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE. This is so easy to make and Perfect for One! Of course you can always make two. If you do, cook them in the microwave separately rather than two at the same time.

Molten Chocolate Mug Cake: Valentine's Day for One

Ingredients
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
3 Tbsp whole milk
1 egg
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 ounce chopped chocolate  (whatever you have--truffles, chocolate bars, etc..and dark or milk chocolate--your preference)
1 Tbsp water

Directions
In 2-cup capacity microwave-safe mug or bowl, whisk together with fork, flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Add in melted butter, milk, egg, and vanilla. Whisk well to combine, making sure to mix in flour mixture in bottom. Put chopped chocolate in center of mug. Do not push down; it sinks as it bakes. Drizzle tablespoon of water on top of batter.

Cook in microwave on full power for 1 minute and 15 seconds until cake rises to top, edges look set but surface of center is a little wet and shiny and sticks to finger when touched. It will set up as it sits. Do NOT overbake. If the center still looks raw then give it another 5 to 10 seconds. Cake will fall after it comes out of microwave. Let cool for 5 minutes to help thicken sauce in bottom.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar or add ice cream or whipped cream! 

TIP: Short mug with wide mouth works best. If not available, a small bowl could be used instead.  I use a small vintage Pyrex Bowl. To know if your mug/or bowl is the right size, pour 2 cups of water into it and this should fill it to the top.

3 MINUTE BUTTERSCOTCH CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKE IN A MUG

I've posted several recipes for Cake in a Mug that are perfect treats for one while Sheltered-in-Place. Here's another -- Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cake in a Mug! Of course, the assumption is that you have butterscotch pudding powder in your pantry. If you don't, do you have another pudding? I have Bird's Custard, and I'm going to try that. You can always make Butterscotch Pudding from scratch, if you don't have a box.

Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cake in a Mug

Ingredients
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons Canola oil
1/8 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
4 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons instant butterscotch pudding powder
4 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 tablespoons mini bittersweet chocolate chips

Directions
Prepare mug by coating the inside lightly with cooking spray (or melted butter).
Pour dry ingredients into bowl.
Beat egg first with spoon and mix in other liquid ingredients.
Add dry ingredients and mix until you’ve removed all lumps.
Fold in chocolate chips.
Pour batter into mug (don't fill more than halfway) and smooth top with spoon.
Thump mug firmly on table several times to remove excess air bubbles.
Place mug on top microwaveable small plate or saucer.
Bake in microwave for 3-4 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting toothpick in middle of microwave mug cake. If toothpick is dry, mug cake is done.
Wait two minutes, then run butter knife along inside mug and tip cake onto plate.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE IN A MUG: Shelter-in-Place Chocolate Goodness #10

I am so fond of Mug Cakes. Chocolate Cake in a Mug, Brownie in a Mug, Red Velvet Cake in a Mug, and the like. But here's a new favorite that will haunt you ..  and one that will satisfy that late night chocolate chip cookie craving or your Shelter-in-Place Chocolate Goodness for one. You need to be precise with this recipe or the finished product will be too dry or too wet (but still tasty). This Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug is so quick. 5 minutes to prep and less than a minute to cook! Hopefully, you'll find you have all the ingredients in your pantry. Perfect for that moment when you just want one cookie!

Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug

Ingredients 
1 Tbsp Butter
1 Tbsp White Sugar
1 Tbsp firmly packed Dark Brown Sugar
1/8 tsp Vanilla Extract
Pinch of Kosher Salt
1 Egg Yolk (room temp)
3 Tbsp All Purpose Flour
2 Tbsp Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

Directions
Choose a microwave-safe mug. It doesn't have to be tall. This is a cookie not a mug cake. You can even use a ramekin.
Put butter in mug and melt in microwave. Do not boil. Add sugars, vanilla, and salt. Stir to combine. Add yolk to cup. Stir to combine. Add flour and stir. (if too runny add a pinch more flour - think cookie dough) Add chocolate chips, and give a final stir.
Cook in microwave 30-50 seconds, start checking at 30 seconds but do not cook longer than 50 seconds. Cookie continues to cook after you take it out. Less time will produce a moister better cookie.

2 MINUTE BROWNIE IN A MUG: Shelter-in-Place Chocolate Goodness #9

So you're still Sheltered-in-Place, and you are dying for brownies, but you don't want to make a whole pan in case you end up eating them all. You've already made One Minute Molten Chocolate Cake in a Mug, but you really want a Brownie! Somethng more cake-like. Here's another 'mug' recipe for fool-proof 2 Minute Brownies in a Mug. You probably have all the ingredients. Be sure and sift the first three ... if not you'll have a lumpy end product, and not the brownie you're craving. Recipe from Ryan Scott from a segment on Rachel Ray of the Food Network.

2 MINUTE BROWNIE IN A MUG

Ingredients
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp olive oil (one that’s not too strong is better, make sure it's fresh)
1-1/2 Tbsp water, at room temp
1 egg

Directions
Sift together sugar, flour, and cocoa powder. Add salt. Mix together olive oil, water and egg. Fold dry ingredients into wet. Pour into mug and microwave for 2 minutes (no peeking!!)

How easy is this? Top with whipped cream, raspberries, and or ice cream!

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE IN A MUG

I am so fond of Mug Cakes...Chocolate Cake in a Mug, Red Velvet Cake in a Mug, and the like. But here's a new favorite that will haunt you ..  and one that will satisfy that late night chocolate chip cookie craving. As with all "Mug" recipes, you need to be precise or the finished product will be too dry or too wet...or just awful. This Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug is so quick. 5 minutes to prep and less than a minute to cook! And, you'll find you have all the ingredients in your pantry. Perfect for that moment when you just want one cookie!

Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug

Ingredients 
1 Tbsp Butter
1 Tbsp White Sugar
1 Tbsp firmly packed Dark Brown Sugar
1/8 tsp Vanilla Extract
Pinch of Kosher Salt
1 Egg Yolk (room temp)
3 Tbsp All Purpose Flour
2 Tbsp Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

Directions
Choose a microwave-safe mug. It doesn't have to be tall. This is a cookie not a mug cake. You can even use a ramekin.
Put butter in mug and melt in microwave. Do not boil. Add sugars, vanilla, and salt. Stir to combine. Add yolk to cup. Stir to combine. Add flour and stir. (if too runny add a pinch more flour-think cookie dough) Add chocolate chips, and give a final stir.
Cook in microwave 30-50 seconds, start checking at 30 seconds but do not cook longer than 50 seconds. Cookie continues to cook after you take it out. Less time will produce a moister better cookie.