For the perfect food gift for loved ones, try out this easy and sweet, fudgy chocolate mug cake. With a dusting of powdered sugar over a warm cake, it will feel and look a lot like Christmas.
All you need to do is put the ingredients into two bags and put them in a mug. Christmas is all about giving from the heart. What can be more giving than a homemade gift in a cute package?
I also made another food-gift recipe that is just as easy and perfect for Christmas: chocolate chip cookie mix in a jar. And I always give these Cuban lunch candy bars for Father's Day.
Ingredients
Bag 1:
- flour
- sugar
- baking powder
- cocoa powder
Bag 2:
- powdered sugar
*Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.
Equipment
- a mug - you can go with a holiday themed mug or stick to a basic one
- small clear bag - to hold the icing sugar
- medium size clear bag - to hold the cake mix
- gift label
- ribbons and other gift decorations - optional
How to Make it
Bag 1:
- Mix all ‘Bag 1’ dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Place the mix in a clear bag and close with a bow.
Bag 2:
- Place the powdered sugar in a small clear bag and close with a bow.
Mug Preparation:
- Place both bags in a mug and add a note with the following steps to make the cake:
"Pour BAG 1 (cake mix) into the mug.
Add 3 tablespoons vegetable oil and 3 tablespoons milk. Mix really well with a fork, making sure no dry ingredients are left on the sides of the mug.
Heat in the microwave for about 1 ½ minutes at full power (cook time will depend on your microwave).
Let cool a few minutes, sprinkle with some powdered sugar (BAG 2) and enjoy!"
Tips
Depending on how you like your cake, mug cakes can come out too dry or too moist, to the point that it sticks to the roof of your mouth. To combat this, you can have it with a glass of milk. Or if you want something warmer, have a hot chocolate. Nothing pairs better with chocolate than more chocolate. Am I right fellow chocolate lovers??
The recipe calls for powdered sugar on top of the mug cake, but powdered sugar is difficult to sprinkle and sticks to your fingers. I recommend using a small sieve when you top the cake. The powdered sugar will cover the cake evenly, it looks great, there are no clumps, and it looks like fallen snow, matching the holidays and the weather perfectly.
You can add more suggestions to the gift note, such as to top the mug cake with other toppings like chocolate chips, a drizzle of caramel, hot fudge, homemade chocolate gravy or any nut butter, or the classic whipped cream.
You can also add a dollop of one of the toppings in the middle of the cake batter, pour in the rest of the batter, and your cake will have a nice surprise in the middle.
If you want to take it a step further, you can add some Christmas baking sprinkles to another small bag and add it to the mug.
Adding an egg to the wet mix will make the cake taller in the mug and more spongy. I’ve tried it both ways, and I prefer the mug cake without an egg (even though the cake looks cooler all puffed up). It tastes much more moist and fudgy without the egg.
Storage
Because the ingredients are dry, you can store them in a cool, dry place; it should stay fresh until you or your loved ones want to make it. Check the dry ingredient expiry dates to be sure.
If you tried this Fudgy Chocolate Mug Cake Food Gift Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!
📋Recipe
Food Gift Recipe: Fudgy Chocolate Mug Cake
Ingredients
Bag 1:
- ¼ cup flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
Bag 2:
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Instructions
Bag 1:
- Mix all ‘Bag 1’ dry ingredients in a bowl.¼ cup flour, ¼ cup sugar, ¼ teaspoon baking powder, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- Place the mix in a clear bag and close with a bow.
Bag 2:
- Place the powdered sugar in a small clear bag and close with a bow.1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Mug Preparation:
- Place both bags in a mug and add a note with the following steps to make the cake:"Pour BAG 1 (cake mix) into the mug.Add 3 tablespoons vegetable oil and 3 tablespoons milk. Mix really well with a fork, making sure no dry ingredients are left on the sides of the mug.Heat in the microwave for about 1 ½ minutes at full power (cook time will depend on your microwave).Let cool a few minutes, sprinkle with some powdered sugar (BAG 2) and enjoy!"
Notes
- If you want to take it a step further, you can add some Christmas baking sprinkles to another small bag and add it to the mug.
- Because the ingredients are dry, you can store them in a cool, dry place; it should stay fresh until you or your loved ones want to make it. Check the dry ingredient expiry dates to be sure.
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
donna woitaszewski says
Are the amounts correct for the oil and milk in this recipe? Tested it today and could pour oil off the finished product, was very 'wet', unappetizing appearance, could tell the basic chocolate flavor was good.
Joss D says
Hi Donna, the amounts are definitely correct. I've made it many times. It's possible you didn't mix it thoroughly into a batter and/or cook it all the way.
Leanne says
Love this idea for a homemade gift this year! I just might pick up a few mugs and the cake ingredients to make a few for friends and family!
Joss D says
Thanks Leanne, I hope you do! It is a nice gift for friends and family. 🙂