Easy Strawberry Mug Cake
This 2-minute easy strawberry mug cake is literally an instant treat. An easy Valentine’s dessert, you’ll only need 8 ingredients, 5 minutes, and a microwave! Whisk, zap, and serve a warm, soft single-serving cake bursting with luscious strawberries.
It’s for those days when motivation is in short supply but the craving for something sweet persists that a quick and easy dessert with strawberries is my salvation!
I get to celebrate and revel in the seasonal fruit full of sunshine and summer flavor AND enjoy a tasty, gooey cake!
And boy, is it tasty!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Effortless Indulgence: quick and easy strawberry dessert when you don’t want to put in the work
Instant Gratification: when you want strawberry cake right this second, this is the go-to recipe.
Irresistible Flavor: moist, light, and so good, this strawberry cake balances flavors and textures like a maestro!
Recipe Ingredients
Flour: I used all-purpose flour in this recipe. However, whole wheat flour is a great substitute. For a gluten-free option, try buckwheat flour.
Sugar: Raw, cane, or granulated; pick what’s in your pantry for this chocolate strawberry mug cake.
Strawberries: Fresh or frozen, either does the trick.
Milk: Whole milk or 2%, any will work. You can also use any plant-based milk of your choice, like almond milk, or oat milk.
Oil: Any neutral-tasting vegetable oil is good for this recipe. I used canola oil.
Vanilla Extract: For rounding up the flavors! Use store-bought or homemade vanilla extract.
Optional: The best part of simple strawberry desserts is the melty, gooey chocolate chips swirled with fresh fruit. So, while the treat is great without chocolate, I’d say don’t skip it. I used dark chocolate chips. Use whatever you fancy.
How To Make Strawberry Mug Cake
Step 1: Whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, oil, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl till you have a smooth mug cake batter.
Step 2: Fold in chopped strawberries and chocolate chips.
Step 3: Pour into a microwave-friendly mug, cup, or ramekin.
Step 4: Top with more strawberries and chocolate chips.
Step 5: Microwave for 1.5 to 2 minutes until the top is set, and the skewer inserted in the center comes out clean or a few moist crumbs are attached.
Final step: Devour the strawberry microwave cake!
Pro Tips
- The more you mix strawberry cake in a cup, the denser it becomes. So, stir all the ingredients until just mixed.
- Mug cake recipes need to be immediately microwaved.
- Since each microwave is different, you may have to fine-tune the time. After the initial 1.5 minutes, microwave the strawberry mug cake in 30-second increments until it’s cooked to your liking.
- Use a biggish mug with straight sides for the best results.
How To Serve Strawberry Mug Cake
Like all fresh and quick strawberry desserts, warm, fluffy, and light mug cakes taste best when freshly made. That said, the strawberry cakes stay well for a day in the refrigerator. Reheat the cake in the microwave till it is warmed through.
- Eat the strawberry shortcake mug cake as-is
- Dust it with icing sugar
- Top with whipped cream
- Pair with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream
I wanted a decadent finish to my strawberry mug cake, so I gave it a light, creamy crown of mascarpone cheese frosting and chocolate shavings.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make cake-in-mug recipes in the oven?
Yes, you can bake this strawberry microwave cake. Grease a ramekin. Pour the batter and then bake for 10 to 15 minutes at 180°C.
More Valentine's Day Recipes
Recipe
Easy Strawberry Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp Baking powder
- 1/8 tsp Salt
- 1.5 tbsp Sugar
- 2 tbsp Oil I used vegetable oil. You can use any neutral -tasting oil you prefer.
- 3 tbsp Milk
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
- 3-4 tbsp Strawberries, chopped
- 2 tbsp Dark chocolate chips (Optional)
Topping (Optional)
- 1.5 tbsp Mascarpone cheese
- 1 tbsp Icing sugar
Instructions
- Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a small bowl.
- Whisk in the oil, milk, and vanilla extract.
- Fold in the chopped strawberries and chocolate chips, if using.
- Pour the batter into a ramekin.
- Cook for 1 minute 30 seconds. You may have to cook for another 15- 30 secs, depending on your microwave.
- Let the cake cool down for a few minutes and then serve it warm, with the mascarpone cheese topping or whipped cream or ice cream. Enjoy!
Topping
- Whisk together the mascarpone cheese and icing sugar in a small bowl, until smooth and lump-free.
Video
Notes
- The more you mix strawberry cake in a cup, the denser it becomes. So, stir all the ingredients until just mixed.
- Mug cake recipes need to be immediately microwaved.
- Since each microwave is different, you may have to fine-tune the time. After the initial 1.5 minutes, microwave the strawberry mug cake in 30-second increments until it’s cooked to your liking.
- Use a biggish mug with straight sides for the best results.
The cake turned out so well - following the recipe instructions exactly led to a very fluffy and light cake! I used frozen strawberries so my cake took about 1 minute more to cook. I didn't have mascarpone but some sliced fresh strawberries and powdered sugar on top worked great in a pinch.
Natasha Author
Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Deepshikha. Really appreciate your support. Have a great weekend!
So easy and great for those few remaining strawberries left over in the basket. I split the mixture into two ramekins and baked them in the oven as directed in the Notes adding a few extra strawberry slices on top. Perfect.
Natasha Author
Hi Laura, thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. I'm so glad these turned out well for you. Truly appreciate your support and love. xx
This was my first time making a mug cake, and it was SO good!!! I didn't expect a cake made in the microwave to taste this amazing. I used fresh strawberries because they're in season right now and I had just cut some. Although I've baked with fresh strawberries lots of times, they have never tasted so flavorful once cooked in anything else I have ever baked. I added an extra 1/4 tsp of almond extract, and 1/8 tsp of cinnamon. I think the nutrition facts are wrong, though, because they say this has 41 grams of sugar, which would be absolutely wild! Fortunately, 1 and 1/2 tbsp of sugar is only 18.9 grams!
Natasha Author
Oh thank you so much Malini! What a fabulous feedback...your description made me want to make this mug cake again!! the nutrition facts convertor is in built in this theme. Glad you noticed the discrepancy. 🙂
Thank you for your support and love xx