Does The 3-2-1 Mug Cake Method Actually Work?

If you've spooned into an Oreo mug cake recipe, you know how deliciously easy it is to put these single-serving treats together. Though some attention must be focused to make sure the mug cake doesn't overflow and to check that the mug cake is ready to eat, the process of making the cake itself requires little effort. Even without any sort of culinary inclinations, remembering the simple instructions "3, 2, 1," can have you digging into a warm, spongy treat in minutes. 

To make a 3-2-1 cake, angel food cake powder needs to be mixed with the boxed cake mix of your choice. Three tablespoons of this powdery mixture stirred together with two tablespoons of water is then microwaved for one minute. The quick and easy recipe will have you feeling like a professional, even if this is the first cake you've made. While the cake mix flavor you add to the angel food cake doesn't matter, you can't forget the angel food cake mix. You can get away with only adding a half box of angel food cake mix to a box of regular cake mix, but the benefit of using the angel food cake mix is so that the rising ingredients and the estimated six eggs help build the cake's soft, fluffy texture. 

Keep in mind that this cake made in a mug will rise, so choose the right containers that are not only microwave safe, but also have enough space for the cake to fill the mug or bowl without spilling over the top. For an extra boost of flavor, you can toss some fresh blueberries into the mug before the cake is microwaved. For an even sweeter surprise, sneak a piece of chocolate or candy into the middle of the batter, or try adding mashed banana to the cake mixture. 

You can elevate your cake mixtures with pumpkin spice or cinnamon, or bring an earthy dimension to your mug cake with a tablespoon or two of canned pumpkin. Added ingredients may impact the time needed for the cake to cook properly in the microwave, so you will want to give the ingredients a solid look before enjoying. Once the mug cake is cooked properly, it can be topped with ingredients of your choice. Dollops of honey whipped cream or handfuls of fresh fruit can brighten your cake, while more decadent ingredients like roasted nuts, pieces of chocolate, or drizzles of Nutella can steer your dessert into the sweetest lane.