WW Recipe of the Day: Microwave Mug Cake
This skinny 3-2-1 mug cake is a simple way to satisfy a craving for cake in minutes with just two ingredients, a mug and a microwave (affiliate link) for 105 calories and 5 Weight Watchers SmartPoints.
Low in calories and naturally portion controlled it is perfect for Weight Watchers who don't want to be tempted by an entire cake.
With just 105 calories and *5 Weight Watchers Freestyle SmartPoints this cake demonstrates that it is possible to have your cake and skinny jeans too!
How Do You Make Skinny 3-2-1 Cake in a Mug with a Microwave - Step By Step
Step 1 - Make the Cake Mix Base
You'll need a box of angel food cake mix and a box of another cake mix of your choice. Since I love chocolate I chose Devil's food. But you can use whatever flavor you like best.
Whisk the two dry mixes together until they are free of lumps and well combined. You now have enough "321 cake mix" for about 31 little microwave (affiliate link) mug cakes.
Store your 3-2-1 microwave cake mix in an airtight container. I prefer a one gallon zipper lock plastic bag. Be sure to label your container with what it is and the instructions so you are ready the next time a cake craving strikes.
Step 2 - Making a Mug Cake
You'll need a mug that holds at least 10 ounces, measuring spoons, nonstick cooking spray and your dry 3-2-1 cake mix. Coat you mug with nonstick spray. Then add to it 3 level tablespoons of dry cake mix and 2 level tablespoons of water.
Stir together with a fork (which acts like a little whisk) until the mixture is well combined. It will bubble up which is fine.
Microwave your mug cake for approximately one (1) minute and voila - you have cake!
The actual time will vary a little depending on the wattage of your microwave. My microwave is 900 watts and takes 50-60 seconds. If your microwave has higher wattage set your time for a little less.
Granted this little microwave cake is not the prettiest thing on the planet but it tastes yummy, especially when it is still warm. You can eat it right from the mug.
Or turn it out onto a plate and pretty it up with a dusting of powdered sugar and dollop of canned whipped topping which is what I did for its photo shoot.
How Many Calories and WW Points in this Cake?
5 *SmartPoints (Green plan)
5 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)
5 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)
3 *PointsPlus (Old plan)
To see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site, Click here!
How Do You Determine the Calories for this Mug Cake?
- Betty Crocker Angel food cake (16 ounces dry mix) = 140 calories for 1/12 the box = 1680 calories for box
- Betty Crocker Devil's food cake (15.25 ounces dry mix) = 160 calories for 1/10 the box = 1600 calories for box
- Ziploc bag of both dry mixes = 31.25 ounces and 1680 + 1600 = 3280 calories
- Three level tablespoons of mixture = 1 ounce
- 31.25 ounces/1 ounce = 31.25 servings
- 3280 calories divided by 31.25 servings is 105 calories
How Do You Determine the Weight Watchers SmartPoints for this Mug Cake?
I originally posted that this 3-2-1 Microwave Cake Mix had 80 calories and 3 SmartPoints. Turns out I was wrong. After several commenters questioned the SmartPoints value and expressed concerns I redid my math. I went back to the drawing board with 2 new cake mixes, measuring spoons, scale and calculator.
I used the Weight Watchers Recipe Builder, basing the serving size on one (1) ounce of dry mix which is 3 leveled off tablespoons of mix. Using heaping tablespoons instead of level will result in a cake that is twice as big with twice the calories and points.
According to the WW Recipe Builder this recipe has *5 SmartPoints with the cake mixes I used. Your results may be different depending on the brands of cake mixes you use.
Using Sugar-Free Cake Mix will lower the SmartPoints to *4.
Skinny Mug Cake Variation Ideas
And of course this is the perfect recipe for exploring your kitchen creativity by playing with different cake mix flavors, additions and/or accompaniments. If you are a Weight Watcher concerned about calories and/or tracking your points be sure to adjust accordingly.
- Use any flavor of cake mix you prefer: chocolate, white, yellow, lemon, spice, funfetti, spice, carrot, strawberry, etc.
- Try adding 2 to 3 teaspoons of any of the following additions to the cake batter before cooking: miniature chocolate chips, finely chopped dried fruit, finely chopped nuts, sprinkles.
- Top with a dollop of light whipped topping.
- Make a Molten Cake by placing a small piece of chocolate in the middle of the cake before microwaving.
- Make a Caramel Apple Cake by adding a little bit of chopped dried apple to the cake before microwaving and then after it's baked top with a drizzle of caramel sauce.
- Make a Cranberry Orange Nut Cake into yellow or white 3-2-1 cake mix by stirring in chopped nuts, dried cranberries and orange zest before microwaving.
- Top your favorite cake with fruit and whipped cream for a light and tasty "shortcake."
- Drizzle finished cake with chocolate or caramel sauce.
- Spread with thin layer of your favorite icing or chocolate hazelnut spread.
Are You Ready To Firmly Plant Yourself
On The Path To Lasting Weight Loss Success?
Tips for Making this Low Calorie Microwave Mug Cake
- Be sure your mug is big enough to accommodate the mixture and allow it to bubble up during cooking. I use a 10 ounce mug with good results.
- Be sure to spray your mug with nonstick spray to prevent your cake from sticking.
- Stir the water and cake mix together really well so that the mixture is smooth. The angel food cake mix will cause it to bubble which is fine.
- Your cake may take less than or more than one minute depending on the wattage of your microwave. This little cake cooks in 50 to 60 seconds in my microwave, which is 900 watts. If your wattage is higher, set it for less time.
- Enjoy right from the mug or allow to cool for a couple of minutes and then turn out onto a bowl or plate.
- This cake isn't the prettiest dessert on the planet, but it tastes yummy warm from the microwave.
Here are a few more favorite microwave cakes: Microwave Mocha Mug Cake, Jello Microwave Mug Cake, Banana Cocoa Pudding Mug Cake, Microwave Mug Pineapple Cake and Black Forest Microwave Cake
If you've made this 3-2-1 mug cake, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Weight Watchers 3 2 1 Microwave Mug Cake Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cake Mix
- 1 box (16 ounces) angel food cake mix (the 1-step kind that only needs water)
- 1 box (15.25) cake mix (any flavor)
For the Mug Cake
- 3 tablespoons 3-2-1 cake mix
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
First, prepare the 3-2-1 cake mix
- In a large airtight container or sealable plastic bag, whisk the two dry cake mixes until blended and free of lumps.
Then prepare mug cake
- To make an individual cake: in a mug coated with nonstick spray, use a fork to combine the 3-2-1 cake mix and water until blended and smooth.
- Let cool slightly or entirely in the mug.
- Eat directly from the mug or gently remove onto a small plate.
- Serve plain or with desired accompaniments (frosting, whipped cream, confectioners sugar, ice cream, frozen yogurt).
Equipment
Recipe Notes
- Use any flavor of cake mix you prefer: chocolate, white, yellow, lemon, spice, funfetti, spice, carrot, strawberry, etc.
- Try adding 2 to 3 teaspoons of any of the following additions to the cake batter before cooking: miniature chocolate chips, finely chopped dried fruit, finely chopped nuts, sprinkles.
- Make a Molten Cake by placing a small piece of chocolate in the middle of the cake before microwaving.
- Make a Caramel Apple Cake by adding a little bit of chopped dried apple to the cake before microwaving and then after it's baked top with a drizzle of caramel sauce.
- Make a Cranberry Orange Nut Cake into yellow or white 3-2-1 cake mix by stirring in chopped nuts, dried cranberries and orange zest before microwaving.
- Top your favorite cake with fruit and whipped cream for a light and tasty "shortcake."
- Drizzle finished cake with chocolate or caramel sauce.
- Spread with thin layer of your favorite icing or chocolate hazelnut spread.
5 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)
5 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)
3 *PointsPlus (Old plan)
*Points® calculated by WW. *PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT each plan's ZeroPoint Foods (Green plan, Blue plan, Purple plan) using the WW Recipe Builder.
Here is a video showing how to make 3-2-1 cake mix with angel food cake mix and devil's food cake mix:
More Of My Favorite Easy Weight Watchers Friendly Mug Cakes and Easy Cakes
- Weight Watchers 2-Ingredient Pineapple Angel Food Cake
- Weight Watchers 2-Ingredient Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins
- WW No Cake Mix Microwave Cake
- Easy Healthy Low Calorie Chocolate Mocha Mug Cake
More Low Calorie Mug Cake Recipes from Favorite WW Recipe Sites
- Peanut Butter Mug Cake (HungryGirl)
- Caramel Apple 3-2-1 Mug Cake (SlenderKitchen)
- Pumpkin Spice Mug Cake (EatYourselfSkinny)
Today's Food for Thought
Eating great, losing weight, and keeping it off require more than just the right low calories recipes, which is why I'm passionate about providing you with a "little something extra" when you visit my recipe pages. I call it "food for thought"...
"Start Where You Are. Use What You Have. Do What You Can." ~ Arthur Ashe
Many people never get started with the thing they want to do because they feel overwhelmed or are waiting for perfect circumstances to begin. But if you never get started in the right direction you will never get to where you want to be. The most tiny of steps in the right direction will eventually get you to the success you desire. Little things really can add up to big results.
Martha is the founder and main content writer for Simple-Nourished-Living.
A longtime lifetime WW at goal, she is committed to balancing her love of food and desire to stay slim while savoring life and helping others do the same.
She is the author of the Smart Start 28-Day Weight Loss Challenge.
A huge fan of the slow cooker and confessed cookbook addict, when she's not experimenting in the kitchen, you're likely to find Martha on her yoga mat.
This post contains affiliate links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links or other (affiliate links), I receive a small commission that helps support this site. Thank you for your purchase!
Cynthia
This is the easiest cake to make for after school snacks, weight watchers snack, fixing meals for aging parents or grandparents and single people or family members who want a little cake anytime. It’s perfect turn the mug upside down to cool and it comes out fluffier when turned out onto a saucer.
cindy claybrook
You calculated the pts wrong on the 3-2-1 mug cake 2T=1oz
Kelly Carreon
I use with sugar free vanilla cake mix and angel food cake mix and add blueberries and blackberries before cooking and it tastes like a blueberry muffin. Soooo yummy!
Abby
Oh my goodness! This actually works. I have tried probably 50 to 60 recipes off of Pinterest and this is the first mug recipe that actually tastes good. I followed the instructions and used the angel food cake and red velvet food cake as it called for. However, instead of 2 tablespoons of water, I used a half a tablespoon of avocado oil and 1 1/2 tablespoons of water. It worked and made my little cake absolutely soft and delicious. Thank you!
Pam Evans
Thank you! Can you calculate the carbs per serving for me. My husband is pre diabetic and we count carbs. I feel this would be a great snack for him. Can you please help me?
Kim G.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for mentioning that this makes 31 mug cakes. That was exactly the info I needed to be able to create a recipe to figure my personal points.
MJ
Tastes great and looks exactly like the picture. This is a win 🙂
Greg
Has anyone modified this to a gluten free version?
Ruth
I love it! I’m not even on WW anymore and I’m finishing up my mix. (I’ve lost too much weight due to illness). I made one for my husband (who is watching his sugar) this morning for his birthday!?
Barbi
It was an easy perfect tasty and quick dessert. I put blueberries and cool whip on top and it totally satisfied my desire for dessert.
Patsy
Good low point dessert. I use sugar free cake mix and the angel food mix that is all one pouch. Top with fruit and fat free topping.