The Ultimate Oatmeal Mug Cake
If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and healthy dessert that can be made right in the microwave, look no further than oatmeal mug cake. This cake in a mug is made with basic pantry ingredients like oats, eggs, and ripe banana, making it a nutritious on-the-go treat. The best part is that it’s ready in just minutes!
The origins of Mug Cake
A mug cake, sometimes called microwave cake or quick cake, is a small, individual-sized cake that’s made right in a coffee mug or ramekin. It’s cooked for a short time in the microwave, so it’s ready incredibly fast. Mug cakes are super handy for whipping up a quick sweet treat with little effort or cleanup. They’re perfect for portion control when you want just a small dessert.
Mug cakes seem to have originated in the early 2000s along with the rise of microwave meals and other convenience foods. They likely became popular because they require minimal ingredients that most people have on hand, take only a few minutes to mix up, and cook quickly right in the same vessel they’re served in. The first mug cake recipes used white flour, sugar, oil or butter, eggs, milk, cocoa powder, etc. But over time, healthier ingredient swaps like whole grains, ripe bananas, Greek yogurt, and more have become common.
Why Oatmeal Mug Cake?
There are lots of recipes out there for chocolate mug cakes, vanilla mug cakes, red velvet mug cakes, and more. But an oatmeal mug cake offers some great benefits:
- Healthier Ingredients. Oats are a whole grain that provides fiber, protein, iron, magnesium and more. Ripe bananas lend natural sweetness, moisture, and nutrients like potassium and vitamin B6. These nourishing ingredients make oatmeal mug cake a more well-rounded, nutritious choice.
- Naturally Sweetened. Unlike many classic mug cake recipes that rely on a lot of refined sugar or other sweeteners, oatmeal mug cakes let the ripe banana and a touch of honey provide the sweetness. This means you get all the delicious flavor and far less empty calories or blood sugar spike.
- Simple Ingredient List. Basic oatmeal mug cakes call for just a few main ingredients like oats, banana, eggs, baking powder, vanilla, and milk. You likely have all these items already at home, so it’s a breeze to whip up this mug treat even with limited grocery supplies.
- Endlessly Customizable. While the base oatmeal mug cake recipe stays simple, that leaves lots of room for mix-ins and toppings! You can fold in chocolate chips, nuts, peanut butter, or dried fruit. Top with whipped cream, fruit preserves, chocolate sauce, chopped nuts, coconut flakes…anything goes!
Tips for Making Oatmeal Mug Cake:
– Make sure banana is very ripe for sweetness and moisture. The riper, the better!
– Whisk the batter very well before cooking to incorporate air for rising.
– Spray the mug lightly with cooking spray so cake won’t stick.
– Microwave times range from 60-90 seconds. Check often as ovens vary.
– Let mug rest a minute or two before eating so filling can set up.
No-Fuss Mix-Ins & Toppings
The nice thing about a simple oatmeal base mug cake recipe is that it complements both sweet and savory mix-ins. Here are just a few delicious mix-in ideas:
– Chocolate chips or chunks
– Chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, peanuts, etc.)
– Raisins or dried cranberries
– Mashed pumpkin or sweet potato
– Nut butter like almond or peanut butter
– Vanilla protein powder
– Ground flax or chia seeds
– Shredded coconut
– Crumbled bacon and cheddar (for a savory cake)
– Cinnamon and nutmeg
And don’t forget the toppings when your oatmeal mug cake comes hot and fresh from the microwave! Whipped cream, fruit preserves, chocolate drizzle and chopped nuts are classic picks. But yogurt, granola, syrup, caramel sauce and toasted coconut also pair nicely. Sweeten it up or keep it healthy – your creation is guaranteed to satisfy that cake craving either way.
More Quick & Easy Mug Cake Ideas
Sold on the idea of microwave mug cakes? Here are a few more speedy mug cake flavors to try on busy nights:
– Chocolate mug cake – Cocoa powder provides plenty of chocolate flavor, no mixer required!
– Vanilla mug cake – Eggs, oil and sugar whip up in minutes for sweet vanilla cake.
– Strawberry mug cake – Puree fresh or thawed frozen berries into the batter.
– Carrot mug cake – Grated carrot plus warm spices like cinnamon makes this cake extra moist.
– Funfetti mug cake – Vanilla cake mix studded with rainbow sprinkles, done in a jiff!
– Peanut butter mug cake – For the peanut butter lover, blend PB right into the simple batter.
Microwave mug cakes aren’t just for emergencies or late night cravings. They’re fun to make anytime, and you can create a personalized cake exactly the way you like it best. Oatmeal mug cakes are a fast, wholesome choice using pantry staples you probably already have. Whip one up and make dessert an easy, everyday treat even on your busiest nights!
Oatmeal Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon whole wheat flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/3 cup milk dairy or plant-based
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce
- Optional toppings: sliced banana, chopped nuts, a dollop of yogurt
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients: In a small bowl, mix the rolled oats, whole wheat flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. This blend of ingredients forms the hearty base of our Oatmeal Mug Cake.
- Add wet ingredients: Pour in the honey, milk, vanilla extract, and applesauce into the mug. Stir the wet ingredients until well combined, ensuring that the honey dissolves evenly.
- Mix wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Ensure all ingredients are well incorporated to create a smooth, thick batter.
- Microwave: Place the mug in the microwave and cook on high for 1 minute and 30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on your microwave's wattage. Keep a close eye on it to prevent overflow.
- Check for doneness: After microwaving, check the cake's doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter), your cake is ready.
- Let it cool before enjoying: Allow a minute or so for the cake to cool before handling. The cooling period helps it set and ensures a more perfect texture.