Better Living through Science, aka Gluten-Free Microwave Mug Cake
Have you ever had a mug cake? Also known as microwave cakes, they’re exactly what they sound like: cakes made in a mug and cooked in the microwave.
Are mug cakes good? I have no idea, in large part because I don’t have a microwave. They look simultaneously delicious and strange, though – one of my favorite combinations of adjectives.
What’s more, it’s easy to make the basic recipe for mug cake gluten-free. For playdates involving both gluten-eating and gluten-free children (or late-night study sessions, or office holiday parties, or nights at home alone in front of the TV), this could be just the ticket.
The basic premise is simple enough. Here’s a rundown from Wired Magazine:
You’ll need:
- A microwave oven
- A large microwavable mug
- A tablespoon for measuring
- 4 Tablespoons flour
- 9 Tablespoons hot chocolate mix
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 egg
- 3 Tablespoons water
- 3 Tablespoons oil
- Cooking Spray
Makes enough for one enormous serving.
- Spray a little cooking spray into the mug.
- Measure out the flour, hot chocolate mix and salt into the mug. Stir.
- Crack the egg into the mug. Stir a bit after adding the egg so the cup doesn’t overflow.
- Add water and oil.
- Stir until thoroughly moistened. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the mug with your spoon to avoid any leftover pockets of dry ingredients.
- Put the mug in the microwave on high and set the timer for 3 minutes.
- The handle of the mug may be hot, so use a potholder to remove it from the microwave.
- Tip your cake cylinder out of the mug into a dish. Use a fork to break it up into quarters. This will allow steam in the center to escape.
- Make sure the cake has cooled enough to eat before digging in. Add whipped cream or ice cream if desired.
Just sub out the flour for your favorite gluten-free flour or GF flour blend and make sure you’re using gluten-free hot chocolate mix, and you’re golden. Our grocery guide can help you find all the ingredients you need, right in your local supermarket.
There are a number of variations online, and there’s even a cookbook just for gluten-free mug cakes. As for me, I’m going to track down a microwave ASAP and see how it goes.
Have you ever made a gluten-free mug cake? How did it turn out?
I had lots of doubts about whether these things worked, but they do, and they make a really nice little cake that was perfect for my 2 girls and I as an occasional snack, since you really don’t want a huge cake sitting around. It’s the perfect little treat and very moist and yummy. My recipe had chocolate chips in it and it was ooey gooey delightfulness in a mug! Perfect for those days when chocolate does save the world, one husband without a fork in his brain at a time.
I can’t wait to try a gluten free version!
Yes, I have made gluten-free microwave mug cakes. In fact, I’ve created 101 recipes for gluten-free microwave mug cakes which is the title of my new book! You can find a sample recipe for a gluten blackberry muffin microwave mug cake here: http://microwavemugcakes.com/microwavemugcakes-sample-recipe-gf.htm. I hope you’ll let me know what you think of it! My book, “101 Recipes for Gluten-Free Microwave Mug Cakes,” is also available through my web site.