3 Ingredient Mug Cake (Any Flavor!)

Craving a quick dessert? This 3-ingredient mug cake is the easiest way to satisfy your sweet tooth in under 5 minutes! With cake mix, milk, and oil, you can make a single-serve treat in any flavor you like - no baking skills needed.

3 mug cakes; strawberry, chocolate, and lemon; covered in whipped cream.

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So we've done everything from Nutella Lava Mug Cake to Birthday Cake Mug Cake - but, today, I thought I'd share the absolute easiest mug cake recipe in my arsenal!

This 3-ingredient mug cake is as versatile as it is easy. For this one, we're using 3 staple ingredients to make a warm, fluffy cake that's ready in the microwave in just a minute. If you can mix, you can make this single-serve dessert in no time flat!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Only 3 simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry - no eggs, no measuring cups, no complicated steps.
Ready in under 5 minutes from start to finish. Just stir, microwave, and enjoy a warm, single-serve dessert anytime a craving hits.
Totally beginner-friendly. If you can mix ingredients with a spoon, you can make this 3-ingredient mug cake perfectly on your first try.
Endlessly customizable. Use any flavor of cake mix you love - chocolate, strawberry, lemon, red velvet, or whatever you have on hand.

Ingredient Notes + Variations

ingredients for a mug cake; cake mix, oil, and milk.

6 tablespoons cake mix - Any flavor works beautifully in this recipe, making it one of the most versatile 3-ingredient mug cakes you can make. Chocolate and strawberry are especially popular, but lemon, banana, pineapple, funfetti, or red velvet cake mix all work just as well.
- Note: This recipe uses dry cake mix straight from the box - no extra ingredients needed.
4 tablespoons milk - Milk creates a softer, richer texture, but you can substitute water if needed. The cake will still cook properly, just with a slightly lighter flavor.
2 tablespoons oil - Oil keeps the mug cake moist and tender. Vegetable oil is my go-to, but canola oil, light olive oil, or melted butter all work well.

Cake Mix Flavor Ideas

Use the same measurements in this recipe and simply swap the cake mix flavor:

Chocolate cake mix - rich and classic
Strawberry cake mix - sweet and fruity
Lemon cake mix - bright and fresh
Red velvet cake mix - perfect with cream-based toppings
Banana or pineapple cake mix - fun and unexpected

Easy Flavor Boosts (Still Simple!)

You can also enhance your mug cake without changing the base recipe:

Top with whipped cream, ice cream, fresh berries, or chocolate syrup
Stir in chocolate chips, sprinkles, or chopped nuts
Add a drop of vanilla or almond extract

I love using cake mix in recipes - it's such a versatile ingredient! If you do too, you'll want to try my Red Velvet Cake Mix Waffles or this Lemon Dump Cake. 🍰

How to Make a 3-Ingredient Mug Cake

milk, cake mix, and oil in a coffee mug.

stirring the ingredients for 3-ingredient mug cake together in a mug.

In a microwave-safe mug, add 6 tablespoons cake mix, 4 tablespoons milk, and 2 tablespoons oil. Mix with a fork until blended.
Microwave cake batter for about a minute. If you microwave for a minute and the top still looks wet, microwave for another 15 seconds or so.

Step-by-Step Recipe Video

Serving & Storage

SERVING: I recommend letting this cool for about a minute before serving. When you're ready to enjoy it, top with ice cream, whipped cream, fresh fruit, chocolate/caramel sauce or sprinkles. There are no limits to toppings - go crazy!

LEFTOVERS: I don't recommend storing leftovers. It tends to get really rubbery if you re-microwave later. Just make another one from scratch!

Leslie's Helpful Tips & Tricks

Because all microwaves are different, microwave times are going to vary for this recipe. One minute is a good starting suggestion. If your microwave is higher wattage (1000W+), start checking the cake at 45-50 seconds to avoid overcooking.
If your cake comes out rubbery, that means you over-microwaved. Try again with 15 seconds less cook time.
Make sure there are no lumps when you mix the batter. Nobody wants to find a pocket of dry cake mix in their dessert!

FAQ & Troubleshooting

An 8-12 ounce microwave-safe mug is ideal. Smaller mugs may overflow, while very large mugs can cause the cake to cook unevenly.

Yes. You can substitute water if needed, though the cake will be slightly less rich. Non-dairy milks like almond, oat, or soy milk also work well.

The top should look set and no longer wet. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out mostly clean, with a few moist crumbs.

This recipe is best made as a single serving. Doubling it in one mug can cause uneven cooking or overflow. If you want more, make two mug cakes separately.

A dry or crumbly mug cake is usually caused by overcooking or not enough liquid or fat. Microwaves cook very quickly, so even an extra 10-15 seconds can dry it out. Make sure you're using the full amount of milk and oil, and start checking the cake around 60 seconds. If it still seems dry, try slightly reducing the cook time or adding an extra teaspoon of milk next time.

More Easy Mug Cakes

So, what's your favorite flavor of cake mix to use in this recipe? Let me know in the comments!