5 Mins Delicious Red Velvet Mug Cake Recipe – So Yummy!

Red velvet cake’s allure is undeniable, but the time commitment? Not to worry, there is a solution – the Red Velvet Mug Cake provides instant gratification as a single-serve wonder. It utilizes only pantry staples and your trusty microwave to whip up this decadent treat within minutes. Forget about preheating ovens and lengthy cooling times. The beauty of this recipe lies in its bold simplicity. All you need is a mug, spoon and microwave to create this delightful treat bursting with the classic flavors of red velvet cake. Tangy buttermilk serves as a clever substitute for sour cream or yogurt, while bold cocoa powder adds a hint of vanilla to come together in a symphony of taste.

What is a Red Velvet Mug Cake?

This quick and easy recipe allows you to enjoy all the decadence of a classic red velvet cake, but cooked right in your mug using the microwave. With this simple recipe, you can achieve the signature rich cocoa flavor and vibrant red color of a traditional layered red velvet cake, but on a smaller portion that’s perfect for when you want a snack sized piece. Top it off with a dollop of cream cheese frosting for an indulgent treat that comes together in minutes without any fuss.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

There are several reasons why the red velvet mug cake with cream cheese frosting is sure to become a new favorite. 

• For one, you can have this delicious dessert ready in under 2 minutes as it bakes directly in the microwave for an incredibly fast single serve treat. 
• The mug cake also has an ultra soft and light, velvety texture that makes it hard to resist second and thirds helpings. 
• As an eggless recipe, it’s also easier to prep and more forgiving than traditional cakes if you need to adjust any ingredients slightly.

Are Mug Cakes as Good as Proper Cakes?

There seems to be an unspoken truth that cakes or desserts microwaved using mug cake recipes can never compare to those traditional, oven-baked cakes that require a whole production. However, with only a handful of key ingredients, utilizing your trusty microwave can result in a tasty treat that doesn’t deserve such a bad reputation.

In reality, mug cakes are no less great or perfect for certain occasions. When you need a quick dessert fix to satisfy a sweet tooth but don’t have much time, nothing beats the convenience of a single serving bite of cake. The mug cake allows you to enjoy all the flavors of baked goods without spending half your afternoon baking – it’s the perfect solution!

What Makes Red Velvet Cake Taste Different?

1. The secret ingredient that gives red velvet cake its signature flavor is vinegar. Contrary to what many believe, it does not make the cake taste sour.

2. Historically, red velvet cake was made with tangy buttermilk that contains a touch more vinegar or an extra vinegar for its additional acidity. The acid helps the cake rise when it reacts with the baking soda. It’s also the acid in combination with the cocoa powder that creates the classic reddish tint.

3. While some modern recipes swap out the whole milk or vinegar for other liquids, an authentic red velvet cake retains that subtle tangy flavor provided by the buttermilk. Paired with the cream cheese frosting, it’s not like eating a salad dressing – more like a lush, red color befitting the festive feel of winter holidays.

Tips to Make Red Velvet Mug Cake

1. Choose the right kind of mug – one that is microwave safe and has a capacity of around 10-12oz. The cake won’t take up the full mug, as it will rise quite a bit in the microwave. Using a big enough mug will help ensure the batter doesn’t spill over the top.

2. Start with the wet ingredients – put the wet ingredients in the mug first. It’s easier to mix everything together after starting with the dry ingredients, as sometimes this results in clumps of flour at the bottom corners of the mug that are hard to fully mix in.

3. Sift the dry ingredients – rather than just pretty much dumping everything into the mug, I recommend sifting first to minimize lumps.

4. Adjust the sweetness to your preference – I’ve found that 2 tablespoon of sugar usually leads to a mildly sweet cake, but feel free to add more or less based on what you like.

5. No eggs is a top tip for mug cakes – they turn out much better without eggs. While eggs are essential in most cake recipes, for such a small serving size cooked in the microwave, the egg creates a spongy, unpleasant texture. Skip the eggs for a much more luxurious result.

6. Take care not to overfill – there is a fine line between a nice big serving of cake and a potential red velvet volcano oozing out once microwaved. Be careful not to overfill the mug.

7. Bake for the right amount of time – this cake usually takes around 90s in a standard 12oz glass mug. Cooking times in the microwave are really hard to give a precise amount, as they vary by different microwaves and their different power settings. The time also depends on things like using a large, wide mug. As a guide, expect the cake to be done anywhere between 60-90s, but judge doneness based on how the cake looks – start pausing and looking at it around the 75s mark. If the wet batter still needs a few more seconds, it will be poured out. But once the batter pushes back lightly when poked, it’s usually ready. Then adjust the timing for the next one based on the texture you want – cooking longer will result in a drier, spongier texture, vs shorter resulting in a moist, dense texture.

Red Velvet Mug Cake Recipe

Recipe by Carmen FoodieCourse: DessertCuisine: American

Servings

2

cups

Prep time

4

minutes

Cooking time

1

minute

Calories

890

kcal

Cooling Time

15

minutes

Total time

20

minutes

The Red Velvet Mug Cake Recipe is a quick and easy way to make everyone’s favorite red velvet cake without using the oven. With only a mug and basic ingredients, you can whip up a single-serving treat fit for any time of day in just minutes straight from the microwave.

Ingredients

• For Mug Cake:

• 4 tbsp milk

• ½ tbsp white vinegar

• 1 ½ tbsp vegetable oil

• ½ tsp vanilla

• Few drops of gel red food color

• 4 tbsp all purpose flour

• ½ tbsp cocoa powder

• 2 tbsp sugar

• ¼ tsp baking powder

• ⅛ tsp salt”

• For Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 tbsp cream cheese, room temperature

• 1 tbsp heavy cream

• 1-2 tablespoon powdered sugar, to taste

Directions

• Start with a microwave safe mug that has a capacity of 350mL/12.5oz or larger. Add 1/3 cup milk, 1tsp vinegar and 1/2 Tbsp oil to the mug then whisk in 1/2 Tbsp vanilla to combine.
• Add 1-2 Tbsp red food color and mix well until it is a strong red color – it will dilute once you add the cocoa powder.
• Sift 1/3 cup flour and 2 Tbsp cocoa powder with 1/4 tsp each baking powder and salt and 2 Tbsp sugar, then whisk smoothly into the wet ingredients – do not overmix.
• Microwave on the default power setting for 60–90 seconds – the exact cooking time will vary. The cake should be fully cooked once risen and then deflated slightly after coming out, as no raw batter will be visible since it was cooked in the microwave.
• Let the cake cool for 15 minutes, then place it in the fridge for an additional 5 minutes to speed up the cooling process.
• Mix together the ingredients for the cream cheese frosting with a fork until it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency.
• Spread a generous amount of the cream cheese frosting on top of the cooled cake.

Notes

• If your cake comes out dry, it was likely overcooked. Microwave power levels can vary quite dramatically, so reduce the suggested cooking time by 10–15 seconds and check for doneness with a toothpick instead of just time alone.
• If noticing undercooked centers, then the opposite of the above issue likely occurred – the cake probably just needs another 10–15 seconds in the microwave to fully set throughout.
• For uneven cooking, sometimes a mug cake may cook unevenly due to the size and shape of the mug. Switching to using a rounder microwave-safe bowl can help it cook more evenly with better circulation of heat.

How to Serve Them?

When serving microwaved mug cakes, allow them to rest on the kitchen counter for 2 to 3 minutes after cooking and taking out of the microwave before serving. This prevents eating the cake while it is too piping hot and allows it to cool slightly for easier serving.

Variations

Playing around with this recipe allows you to adjust it in many ways, and it is fun to experiment with adjusting the quantity of different ingredients or sugar to your liking. Here are some ideas:

1. Add chocolate chips – either milk or semi-sweet chips work great.

2. For a more chocolaty flavor, you can omit the red food color and let the cake rely on its natural chocolate flavor from the cocoa powder.

3. If using the recipe without any red food color, you may want to turn it into a vanilla cake by adding a bit more vanilla extract.

4. Make a chocolate lava center by adding a few big squares of chocolate or a tablespoon of chocolate chips just in the center of the mug before cooking – you’ll enjoy a molten chocolate lava surprise in the center!

5. Top with different toppings like Nutella, chocolate ganache, or buttercream.

6. For a slightly unconventional but touch of an old friend, try adding a pat of butter on top.

7. To make this gluten-free, just swap the small amount of flour required for an equal amount of gluten-free flour. Be sure to use gluten-free ingredients like vanilla extract and baking powder.

8. Serve warm cake topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra richness and a sweet, creamy twist.

9. No white vinegar, you can use the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon.

10. Make individual portions by baking them in small, microwave safe bowls – the handy mini cakes will maintain their bowl-shaped cake texture.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers?

Any leftover bites of red velvet mug cake can be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours if covered tightly with foil or plastic wrap directly on the mug. Be sure the mug is sealed well to prevent it from drying out in the fridge. To reheat, uncover the mug and heat it briefly in the microwave before serving.

Can I Freeze This Mug Cake?

While most cake recipes can be frozen, the dense texture of mug cakes may dry out if frozen due to their high moisture content. I do not recommend freezing this recipe. It’s best to make them fresh. However, if you must freeze some, wrap the filled mug tightly with a couple layers each of foil and plastic wrap and freeze for up to two months. Before serving, thaw completely in the fridge overnight, then heat for a few seconds in the microwave to become warm and soft again.

RELATED: Easy Biscoff Tiramisu

Final Words

The easy yet tasty Red Velvet Mug Cake recipe proves that you don’t need to fancy equipment or spending all afternoon baking to satisfy your craving for something sweet. With just a microwave-safe mug and handful of pantry ingredients, you can whip up an individual serving of this classic treat anytime. The rich cream cheese frosting paired with the subtle tang of red velvet makes it the perfect quick dessert to enjoy any day of the week.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is it called a mug cake?

It’s called a mug cake because the entire cake is mixed up and baked directly in a microwave-safe mug. This allows you to make a single-serving cake quickly without needing to use any other dishes.

What is the actual flavor of red velvet cake?

The traditional flavor of red velvet cake comes from buttermilk, which has a natural tanginess. It’s not sour, but rather has a mild creamy and slightly tangy flavor. The cocoa powder also adds chocolate notes.

Does the cake taste the same without food coloring?

While the taste will still be similar, omitting the red food coloring will result in a cake that tastes more plainly of chocolate rather than having red velvet’s distinct flavor profile. The food coloring doesn’t impact taste, but is important for red velvet’s signature look and identity.

What makes a red velvet cake different from chocolate cake?

Red velvet cake contains both cocoa powder and vinegar, which lend it a distinctive tangy flavor profile you don’t find in traditional chocolate cake. It’s also lighter and more moist than chocolate cake due to ingredients like butter and cream cheese frosting.

Why is my mug cake dense and gummy?

It’s likely overmixed, which toughs the gluten and prevents a fluffy crumb. Gentle mixing just until combined is best for mug cakes.

Why is my mug cake dry and hard?

It was likely over-baked and all the moisture evaporated out. Shorter microwave times are best.

Why did my mug cake overflow/explode?

The mug was overfilled, causing batter to rise up and out dramatically in the microwave. Leave 1-2cm of space at the top of the mug.

Why is my mug cake not fluffy?

It may not have been mixed gently enough or was overmixed, which inhibits air bubbles forming to make it light and fluffy.

Why is my mug cake rubbery?

Signs it was under-baked and not fully set in the center. Return to microwave for another 10–15 seconds.

What was red velvet cake made of historically?

Traditionally it used buttermilk, cocoa, vinegar and vegetable oil which reacted with the baking soda for leavening and resulted in a tender crumb and trademark reddish tint.