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Craving cake but don’t want a whole one sitting on the counter? This quick microwave (affiliate link) mug cake is the perfect fix—warm, fluffy, and ready in minutes.

Made with just two ingredients, a mug, and a microwave (affiliate link), it’s an easy, portion-controlled treat with about 105 calories and 5 WW Points. Perfect for those moments when you want something sweet without overdoing it.

This simple “3-2-1” method lets you mix up a batch of dry cake mix ahead of time so you’re always just a minute away from cake.

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Easy Low Calorie 3-2-1 Microwave Mug Cake on a plate with whipped topping and sprig of mint with white mug in background.

Ingredients

  • 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

How Do You Make Low Calorie 3-2-1 Cake in a Mug with a Microwave – Step By Step

Two Boxes of Betty Crock Cake Mix One Angel Food Cake Side by Side

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.

Whisking together the cake mixes in a large clear bowl with a balloon whisk

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 mug cakes.

Low calorie 3-2-1 cake mix in a plastic ziploc bag with label with instructions

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

Measuring tablespoon of cake mix into a white mug with bowl of cake mix in background

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.

Stirring together cake mix and water with a fork in a mug

Stir together with a fork (which acts like a little whisk) until the mixture is well combined. It will bubble up which is fine.

Cooked 321 Microwave Mug Cake in a White Mug wit Brick Background

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.

It may not be fancy, but it’s warm, soft, and really satisfying—especially fresh from the microwave. A dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of light whipped topping makes it feel a little more special.

321 Microwave mug cake on a plate with whipped cram and sprig of mint

Calories and WW Points

According to my calculations, each 3-2-1 microwave mug cake has just 105 calories and 5 WW Points.

To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
3 PointsPlus (Old plan)

How Are the Calories Calculated?

The full batch of combined dry mix contains approximately 3,280 calories.

Each mug cake uses about 1 ounce (3 level tablespoons) of mix, yielding roughly 31 servings.

That works out to about 105 calories per serving.

WW Points Notes

Using standard cake mixes, each serving comes to about 5 WW Points.

Using sugar-free cake mix can lower the Points slightly. As always, your Points may vary depending on the brands you use.

Microwave Mug Cake Variations

This is a fun recipe to customize. Try different flavors and add-ins to make it your own:

  • Use any cake mix flavor you like: chocolate, lemon, spice, funfetti, carrot, strawberry, and more
  • Stir in mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, dried fruit, or sprinkles
  • Add a small piece of chocolate in the center for a molten-style cake
  • Mix in chopped dried apples and top with a drizzle of caramel for a caramel apple version
  • Add cranberries, nuts, and orange zest for a cranberry-orange twist
  • Top with fruit and whipped cream for a quick “shortcake”
  • Drizzle with chocolate or caramel sauce or spread with a thin layer of frosting

Tips for Success

  • Use a mug large enough to allow the cake to rise (at least 10 ounces)
  • Spray the mug to prevent sticking
  • Stir thoroughly so the batter is smooth
  • Adjust cook time based on your microwave wattage

Enjoy right from the mug, or let cool slightly and turn out onto a plate.

If you’ve made this low fat 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 321 Microwave Mug Cake Recipe SmartPoints Plus
4.38 from 164 votes

Weight Watchers 3 2 1 Microwave Mug Cake Recipe

This 3-2-1 mug cake is a brilliant way to satisfy a craving for cake in minutes with just 2-ingredients, a mug and a microwave. Low in calories and perfectly portion controlled it is perfect for Weight Watchers who don't want to be tempted by an entire cake.
Prep: 1 minute
Cook: 1 minute
Total: 2 minutes
Servings: 1
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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.
  • Microwave on HIGH for about 1 minute, or until the center is just set. (The time will depend on the wattage of your microwave).
  • 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).

Notes

Serving size: 1 microwave mug cake
WW Points: 5
Check your WW Points for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site.
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)3 PointsPlus (Old plan)
Servings: The two mixes combine to make enough 3-2-1 cake mix for about 31 individual mug cakes.

Microwave Mug Cake Variations

This is a fun recipe to customize. Try different flavors and add-ins to make it your own:
  • Use any cake mix flavor you like: chocolate, lemon, spice, funfetti, carrot, strawberry, and more
  • Stir in mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, dried fruit, or sprinkles
  • Add a small piece of chocolate in the center for a molten-style cake
  • Mix in chopped dried apples and top with a drizzle of caramel for a caramel apple version
  • Add cranberries, nuts, and orange zest for a cranberry-orange twist
  • Top with fruit and whipped cream for a quick “shortcake”
  • Drizzle with chocolate or caramel sauce or spread with a thin layer of frosting

Nutrition

Serving: 1mug cake, Calories: 105kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 0.25g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.25g, Sodium: 304mg, Potassium: 40mg, Fiber: 0.2g, Sugar: 18g, Calcium: 69mg, Iron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @simplenourishedliving or tag #simplenourishedliving!

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 Easy WW-Friendly Cakes

Here are more of my favorite WW Friendly Mug Cakes & Desserts and easy 2-Ingredient cakes and muffins:

About Martha McKinnon

Weight Watchers Lifetime Member, Yoga Practitioner and Blogger who loves to share her passion for trying to create a happy, healthy, balanced life in what often feels like an overwhelming out of control world.

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4.38 from 164 votes (127 ratings without comment)

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137 Comments

  1. I have been making this dessert for awhile now just using a chocolate cake mix without the Angle Food cake mix. It tastes wonderful as is, or adding fat free Cool Whil / Reddi Whip, etc.

  2. We really love this cake! I use a Pillsbury Sugar-Free cake mix with the angel food mix and our WW leader tells us the mug cake is then reduced to 3 points. The only sugar-free cake mixes I’ve found around here are yellow and chocolate…both turn out very good!

  3. 5 stars
    One of my favorite desserts–quick, easy and my husband will even make it!!

    I would say that using the yellow or white cake mixes don’t give much flavor. My favorite is chocolate followed by carrot.

  4. I have been making this cake for years in a tupperware soup mug. thank you for the new ideas

  5. I used…
    1angel food mix
    1 lemon cake mix
    1Tbsp water
    1Tbsp of fresh squeezed lemon juice

    So lemony and yummy…

    1. Hi Jan, I haven’t tried the WW mug cake they are selling. I think their mix may include sucralose/Splenda which give me really bad headaches.

      1. I’m using recipe builder and just one tbsp of cake mix is 5 points; so making this recipe would be 15.
        I can see people have been confused about how you can come up to 3 points.