Low Calorie Mug Cake

My mom recently told me about a delightful recipe that seemed too easy to be true. You simply mix two boxes of cake mix together (one must be Angel Cake, but the other can be any flavor you want), put 3 tbsp of the cake mixture into a coffee mug, toss in 2 tbsp of water, mix, microwave for 60 seconds--and voila!--low calorie cake.  At 131 calories per mug serving, it makes a perfect, light dessert.


I am no stranger to mug cakes. I made a Nutella Mug Cake that shook my world. However, that recipe was definitely more involved, and required things like milk (which I rarely have on hand). And it certainly was not low calorie (but, oh was it worth it!).  

I am the type of person that must always end my meal on a sweet note.  Breakfast is followed by sweet coffee, lunch is followed by a  small piece of chocolate, and dinner dessert usually rotates between ice cream, s'mores, and the like.  Ever since my pregnancy, I've been a total sweet tooth. Unfortunately, this sweet tooth is creating a wider me.  So I was totally up to try something that might be kinder to my waist.

I bought two cake mixes--one was the requisite Angel Cake, and the other was a Triple Chocolate Fudge cake.

I combined the two cake mixes in a freezer bag, and wrote the cake directions on the outside of the bag, so I wouldn't have to use my tired brain when I craved something sweet at the end of the day

I then shook the bag until both cake mixes were combined:

Easy enough! Now I can keep the bag of cake mix in my pantry to use whenever I get a hankering for some cake.  Which is exactly what happened a few days later.  

I put 3 tablespoons of mix in a coffee cup with 2 tablespoons of water, and mixed it briefly together (don't over mix).

Then I popped the mug (one at a time) in the microwave for 60 seconds. You may need a little more or a little less time, depending on your microwave. 60 seconds was perfect for me.

I then topped the cake with a dollop of whipped cream. I used homemade, but I hear cool whip tastes great on it; as does fruit and other healthier toppings.

Verdict? I thought it was really good! It was no Nutella Cake of course, but for a quick low calorie dessert, it was perfect.  Plus I think it would be fun experimenting with different cake mixes and/or toppings.  I think next time I might even toss a few chocolate chips in and see how that tastes.  

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Low Calorie Mug Cake

INGREDIENTS

1 Box of Angel Food Cake Mix

1 Box of Cake Mix of your choosing

Water

Whipped Cream (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine the 2 boxes of cake mix in a large freezer bag; shake to mix

2. Put 3 tbsp of the cake mix in a coffee mug

3. Add in 2 tbsp of water into the mug

4. Stir until completely mixed, but don't over-stir

5. Microwave for 60 seconds

6. Add whipped cream (or fruit, ice cream, etc.) to the top and enjoy

Nutritional Information Per Serving: 131 calories, 1.3 grams of fat, 15 grams of carbs

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update: I tried it with a few chocolate chips placed on top of the uncooked mixture, and upon cooking, all the chips sunk to the bottom.  They were okay in the cake, but an unnecessary addition in my opinion.