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Hit Your Cake Craving With The Microwave

June 4, 2013   58 Comments

Snack Girl is probably the last person to attempt to cook in a mug in the microwave.

Chocolate Banana Cake Mug

I’m just not that hip.

The truth is that I tried some egg recipes and they turned out rubbery, so I decided to forget it. Then, I had a bunch of readers share their cake mug recipes and I changed my mind.

I like my cake in slices (preferably with lots of frosting) so I wasn’t sure I was going to like this. All of the ingredients were in my pantry and it takes less than 4 minutes from start to finish.

(I was a little disappointed that I had to use a bowl AND a mug because I don’t like to clean up.)

Guess what? This tastes pretty good. I liked it so much that I scarfed it down after I had just eaten breakfast. Cake for breakfast? Why not if it is only a banana, egg, cocoa powder, and sugar. I'm doing much better than if I had a bowl of Lucky Charms.

The downside here is for the banana haters out there. This does taste like bananas. I will keep working on this concept if it is well received because not only is it easy, but it is fun to turn out a cake in 3 minutes.

Have you tried making cake in a mug? Please share.

Chocolate Banana Cake In A Mug Recipe

1.8 from 25 reviews

(makes 2 servings)

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Ingredients

1 medium banana
1 egg
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 teaspoons sugar

Instructions

Mash banana in a small bowl until it turns into liquid. Mix in egg, cocoa powder, and sugar. Divide into two coffee mugs. Cook in a microwave, one at a time, for 1 minute until firm on the top.

Eat immediately or store in the fridge for later consumption.

Nutrition Facts

112 calories, 3.1 g fat, 1.2 g saturated fat, 20.8 g carbohydrates, 11.7 g sugar, 4.4 g protein, 3.1 g fiber, 32 mg sodium, 3 Points+

Points values are calculated by Snack Girl and are provided for information only. See all Snack Girl Recipes

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58 Comments:

You have outdone yourself. I cannot wait to make this. What range of ripe can the banana be? Thank you Snack Girl!!

Do you think this would work well with a sugar substitute like Splenda...sadly I can't tolerate sugar? Look forward to more variations too!

Wow with a banana! I love this idea! So perfect!!! I am making this tonight!!

I haven't tried this but I do make the cake mix & canned pumpkin cakes. Why couldn't you use pumpkin in place of the banana? I think it could work!

Ok so since I hadn't had bfast yet I gave this a whirl. First I used a small cereal bowl and left mix to cook in that cause I too hate dishes. I started premashing my banana in the peel. Then finished with a fork in the bowl. I added 2 tablespoons of Justin's choc. Hazelnut butter instead of coco powder and sugar. It's like Nutella only less sugar more nuts and tastes great! I added egg and put in micro for 30 sec to soften butter so I could really mix it all well. I then cooked for a min....this came out really goooood!

My husband loves a piece of cake with his coffee and I am on WW. I mix together a box of angel food cake and a box of any flavor cake mix. I store this in a plastic bag. Whenever we want a piece of cake I mix together 1/2 cup of this mixture with 3 TBS water in a coffee mug. Microwave 45 seconds, add a dollop of cool whip and it's done. You can make it fancy by turning it out on a plate and adding fruit with the cool whip.

I have tried a few mug cakes and brownies, but none were really low-cal, except the last one I tried. It's the same one mentioned by @Fran Steidel. I was actually going to mention this one because I'm also on WW and found this recipe on their site (a fair number of people there posted it, however, there was quite a range of point values). I cannot figure out what an accurate point value should be. If @Fran could let me know what she uses, that would be great. Or, if @SnackGirl could figure it out... I'm not too sure how to do the math. Just like Fran mentioned, you take a box of Angel Food cake mix and a box of any other cake mix (I used chocolate) and mix them together really well. Then, when I want to make a cake, I take 3 TBL of the mix and 2 TBL of water and mix them in a mug and then microwave for 1 minute. I've seen on WW that the point value is anywhere from 2-5 points. @Fran uses more mix - 1/2 cup, but that may be for 2 servings since she mentioned making if for her husband too. If anyone can help figure out the points, I would be immensely grateful since I love this cake.

That being said, I'm definitely going to give this banana one a try too. I love chocolate and banana together so this has got to be good!

@Jennie - it can be medium ripe - it just has to be mashable.

@Carol - I think adding ZERO sugar would work and I think Splenda would work. Think of this recipe as a base.

Thanks for your questions!

If you do a variation without bananas, I would like that ! It would probably work with apple puree ?

I do a great healthy muffin in a mug in the microwave. It includes 1/4 cup ground flax, I egg, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp cane sugar, 1.5 tsp unsweetened apple sauce, 2 tsp cinnamon and 1 tbsp raisins. Put it all together in the mug and mix with a fork. Put it in the microwave and cook on high for 60 seconds. Enjoy with your favorite nut butter!

I wonder if it would would work with pumpkin as someone else mentioned or applesauce.

I tried it with 1/4 cup of egg substitute and alttle salted Carmel sugar free syrup,and a little protein powder( and of course the banana & cocoa powder). Cooked for 1 minute and 15 seconds. So yummy, made it for breakfast. Now I am on the way to the gym, full. Thanks snack girl, great idea. I can imagine a ton of variations from this base recipe.

what could you use for an egg replacement?

I like banana, but not with my chocolate (give me that straight up please!). I would like to play around with combining the banana with the muffin idea above to come up with a banana bread/muffin in a mug.

Does this have a typical cake consistency to it? I'm thinking sponge cake or a "typical" birthday cake base.

Your hardly the last person to use mug recipes. The original Hungry Girl does them all the time .

WW points for cake mix in a mug.Fist time I made this I figured out the points for the whole box excluding the add ins. When I mixed the two together I counted how many half cups it made and divided that into the points. I came out with 4 pts.. For myself I only use 1/4 cup mix and 11/2 TBS water and take 2 pts. Hope this is understandable???

I know we all love the microwave but please google

Microwave test, and you will cut back on using it as I have.

It chemically changes food, as a simple water test can prove.

Love your snacks though, they rock!!

Looks so good and healthier than one of those betty crocker microwave ones! Thank you!

I bet if the banana has been (peeled and) frozen and thawed, this recipe won't even need the sugar! Looks great - thanks!

Regarding the microwave test, please check snopes.com, where the "chemically changing food" using a microwave is debunked. Thank you, Snack Girl for another great idea, enjoying your posts.

Thanks Fran! It's completely understandable!

I don't even think you need the sugar if the banana is very ripe.

I've made many variations of "cake in a mug" using apple butter, chopped dates, pumping, mincemeat, peanut butter, pineapple, lemon or lime curd, sweet potatoe puree, even some of the junionr baby foodsfruits (what you are looking for is the same amount of puree that you would get from the banana,etc. Cocoa powder is not necessary when using other purees but some spices are nice. As far as an egg substitute is concerned use: lT. ground flax mixed with 3 T. water or juice. Really enjoy your site as I am always experimenting with food items in the kitchen.

Made this for me and the boys, and both were not fans of it. I think it has something to do with the texture of the banana. One son commented that it didn't taste done. I think it's the banana that gives that feeling of being uncooked. I even threw on some lite whipped topping but it was a n go for both boys.

As for myself, it's def. a keeper. I actually like the idea. Made it even lower in calories by using egg beaters and Truvia. Sometimes my boys don't know it all... like they think they do. :D

This is sooo good. I tweaked it a bit by using a large banana, a pinch of instant coffee and a few drop of good vanilla extract. I used a whisk to increase volume and improve texture. It made three servings which I topped with extra creamy Reddi-wip whipped cream for an additional 15 calories each (2 tbsp per serving).Yumm! I am shocked that these few ingredients made such a lovely chocolatey dessert. I'm hooked!

Do not fear the microwave. Those "tests" were not valid. http://www.snopes.com/science/microwave/plants.asp

Would this work with (sugar-free) hot cocoa mix instead of cocoa powder & sugar?

Hopefully you have better reasons than shoddy science for shirking the microwave, Diane. If you do then please let us know so we all might learn.

Diane Campbell, that microwaved water thing is a total hoax. See why on the Snopes.com urban legend website: http://www.snopes.com/science/microwave/plants.asp

I have to add my two cents to the microwave comment Diane had. The microwave really does change the molecular structure of food, even water as she stated. It's sad to see healthy ingredients used in the microwave, I believe it's defeating the purpose.

I had to jump up and go try this immediately. I used 1 1/2 tablespoons of organic cocoa and instead of sugar, since that's a no-no for my inflammation, I substituted half coconut crystals and 1/2 date sugar. And I threw in some carob chips. OMG...it was d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s! Thanks for the idea Lisa! Like you, I'll continue to experiment!

@Ginny: "even water?" What makes you think that? Diane referenced something that was a hoax. She was duped. What's your evidence?

I think this is superb!

Delish-thx for this flour free recipe! I used half a banana and 1/4 cup applesauce- turned out great! Thank you!

my friend gave me the recipe for the chocolate banana cake in a mug and I liked it very much. I did add a little vanilla

I made this exactly as written. I eat a lot of alternative type healthy desserts, but this is one of the most ghastly ones I have ever tried. Please don't pretend you are some type of chef or recipe developer while putting out garbage like this.

I am "old time" WW Lifer and am back again for my second round as the lbs made my scale go up, wonder how that happened?? Anyway a looong time ago @ a WW meeting someone came with the "Diet Dr. Pepper Chocolate Cup Cake recipe for 1 point each! You bake them in oven, (which personally I prefer) for one point. 1 can Diet Dr.Pepper & a box of any kind choc. cake mix. I just did it in a bundt pan the other day and ssme outcome. Just be careful to stick to 1 cup cakes worth for 1 pt as it is reeeeealy good! Anyone else heard of it and how it ranks w/ Points Plus program?

Didn't like this at all!

For what it's worth, I used applesauce instead of banana (one of those little cups), egg beater and splenda. Worked just fine. Forgot the cinnamon, a pecan on top and whipped cream.

wow, i didn't see where snack girl said she originated the mug cake thing. was that necessary? she has great ideas, and there's no need for snark.

okay so this is nice, but is there any other fruit i can use instead of bananas because i don't really like bananas. also, i am a pure vegetarian. what can i use instead of an egg??? :)

Made this with Ghirardelli cocoa powder, a very ripe banana and no sugar... added a little scoop of crunchy pb when I took it out of the nuker. Sooo yum...totally didnt need the sugar... Thanks, so simple yet one of the best mug cakes i've tried :)

the microwave danger is false. enjoy your mugs of cake without fear. ;)

http://www.snopes.com/science/microwave/plants.asp

i look forward to trying these recipes. thank you!

WONDERFUL - I am on Paleo so I have to substitute the sugar. The first time I used 2 tbs pure maple syrup (yeah, tablespoons not teaspoons as in your recipe because pure MS is a light sweet flavour)

I also used 1 tbs of cocoa powder (unsweetened) since the maple syrup is not as sweet as sugar, and cocoa powder is bitter. I put 1 tsp vanilla extract and a 1/4 tsp baking soda. I also used a large banana.

So here's the recipe:
 1 large banana
 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
 1 egg
 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

I put mine in one bowl and sliced in half after microwaving. I also microwaved for 2 minutes and 30 seconds in a 1100 watt microwave (I know, powerful, a present from mum at xmas!!!) to get thorough cake feel not a wet one.

To those concerned about the "Microwave Test", check Snopes.

What are you on about Sue??

Awesome! Great find. Love it.

how many weight watchers points for each mug?

This did not taste good at all. No flavor sponge. Sorry! I wanted it to be good.

I tried this and wasn't a big fan. It may have been something I did wrong, but the banana flavor tasted weird and the texture was strange - almost like a very thick, grainy pudding. I made 3 all with different times - increasing as I went. Still, not very good. I love the idea of the recipe, so haven't given up it. Just have to play with it some. Thank you for inspiring me.

If you add 1 teaspoon Nutella in the mix that will remove the taste of banana(well almost).

i really love this recipe, especially when i get home from school.

for my own personal touch i use only 1 tablespoon of all natural unbleached sugar. then i love the add a couple of diced strawberries and a small handfull (about one tablespoon) of original instant oatmeal. it tastes absolutely delicious.

I just made this. It's pretty good - nice & light.

I've made this recipe and I am definitely a fan however I seem to be having an issue with the texture. The end result is a good but grainy texture I believe it comes from raw cacao powder. Any ideas on how to get rid of it??

You can actually make the mix in one mug and then divide the batter with another mug, so you don't have to use a bowl.

can i use a different container instead of a mug??

This recipe was very inaccurately represented! You made it sound amazing. It tasted like a dry sponge. Im upset I wasted my last 2 bananas on this!

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