I’ve had a microwave pretty much all my adult life (and to be honest, I can’t remember a time as a child when we didn’t have one); I’ve never used it for more than reheating leftovers, warming through a mug of milk or making the occasional bowl of popcorn.
It’s just one of those things that households have. I mean the kitchen wouldn’t be the same without a kettle, a toaster and a microwave.
But what does a modern-day family do with a microwave?
Microwave Mug Cake
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Well, that got us thinking.
A few years ago, Skint Dad wrote a column for the Daily Mirror where he researched how much money could be saved by using a microwave instead of a cooker. Although there wasn’t a huge saving, you still saved some.
Apart from the financial savings, you can also save time.
The food we made in the microwave over a week took longer than if we used the hob, and it turned out pretty well.
One of our favourites was a microwavable chocolate mug cake that we eventually mastered.
Maybe it’s the effort of having lots of ingredients and all the washing up that comes with it?
Maybe it was that we’d make a whole cake, but we don’t have a sweet tooth and wouldn’t get around to eating it all (we do hate food waste).
Maybe it’s because I can’t make a cake rise to save my life, and they end up like flat pancakes – every time! I don’t know why! I have tried fresh baking powder, different recipes, and different ways to mix it – I really can’t make cakes.
Whatever the excuse was, it has now gone out of the window.
Making a chocolate mug cake in the microwave is easy, and one mug’s worth is enough for one hungry person, or it can be turned onto a plate and shared between two.
What we’ve also done (ok, I’ve been making this A LOT recently) is making it in small espresso-sized mugs, which look very sweet and make a sweet-looking dessert after a big meal.
It is also far easier to make one small mug cake – in just a few minutes – than making a whole cake from scratch (although quite dangerous now we have such an easy recipe).
Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 2tbsp white sugar
- 2tbsp self-raising flour
- 2tbsp hot chocolate powder
- 1 egg
- 1tbsp oil
- 1tbsp milk
Instructions
- In a large mug, mix together all of the ingredients with a fork until smooth.
- Heat it in the microwave for two and a half minutes.
- Leave to cool for one minute before eating.
- Top with squirty cream, ice cream, custard or devour on its own!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 374Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 187mgSodium: 290mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 1gSugar: 29gProtein: 9g
Nutritional information on skintdad.co.uk should only be used as a general guideline, I am not a certified nutritionist. Please always check labels for allergens where applicable.
Using a microwave like this surprised us how valuable and versatile it was. We’ll try out more microwave cake recipes and share with you how we got on.
Penny for your thoughts: Do you make the best use of your microwave?
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Mummy on a Budget says
Would never have thought you could make a cake in the microwave! Will have to try this!
Ricky Willis says
I know! It’s also very delicious :D
Susan Wright says
This looks yummy Skint Dad and Skint Mum. I shall have to give it a go, as it’s not worth making a big cake for me. This looks perfect!
Daringspirit says
I make sponges in my microwave quite often. Same basic ingredients, excluding chocolate powder, increase quantities although 1 egg is still plenty, then add fruit, coconut – whatever takes your fancy. Delish.
Ricky Willis says
They are so simple. My wife can’t bake either but she can make these fine!
janet says
What heat do you use?? I have a microwave goes yo 1000, but I suspect that would be too high? Sounds delicious and can’t wait to try.
Naomi Willis says
Good point, Janet! We use 800, so you’d need to adjust the cooking time down