Mug cakes

[Pepper Pig Profile]

Has anyone ever made one which is edible? This is the latest to pop up on my FB feed.

https://secretldn.com/easy-banana-mug-cake-recipe/

I’ve never tried, the kids did when they lived here. I remember doing a lot of microwave cleaning.

[Earthmaiden Profile]

If you mean microwaved cake, yes, but I have never tried a banana one.

My mother had a microwave quite early on. There was a local shop which sold cake mix loose, she'd buy a small amount and when the children went round they just put it in a cup, added water and magically had cake less then 2 minutes later - total magic in those days!

I have occasionally made a basic sponge ( equal quantities butter, sugar, flour, egg etc) and cooked it in seconds in a mug if I'm desperate for something sweet, it wouldn't win prizes but isn't bad and you can add fruit etc. or serve as a pudding with syrup or similar. Chocolate is good as it doesn't look quite so insipid as ordinary cake (and of course, the addition of chocolate custard improves anything!).

I visited someone recently who produced a cake for a group of us. It tasted nice but looked terribly pale, she confessed it had been baked in the microwave.

[Suelle Profile Website]

The biggest problem with mug-sized cakes cooked in the microwave is timing. A few seconds too many and you can end up with a dried-up hard brick rather than a cake.

I made one once, but it's not something I'd repeat.

[herbidacious Profile]

Only one that came in a sachet...

[karadekoolaid Profile]

Nah.
Mug cakes - IMHO - are for those who can´t be bothered to bake things in an oven.

[Gillthepainter Profile Website]

I tried it once when my combi was new, as it was in the recipe leaflet.
It certainly worked.
But the sponge tasted of raw ingredients, uncooked, although it looked the part.

What does work for a quick lunch is crumpets, with cheese on top.
30secs, or until it melts.
The ladies at the art school are always impressed when I make them. Rather a nice snack too if you're looking for something fast with no mess.

[Suelle Profile Website]

Nah.
Mug cakes - IMHO - are for those who can´t be bothered to bake things in an oven.

I take it you don't have a sweet tooth, and occasionally crave almost instant gratification!

I keep chocolate for that.

[Earthmaiden Profile]

Do you mean crumpets cooked in the microwave, Gill? .

Not sure about that ... I like them with crispy edges!

[Gillthepainter Profile Website]

I do indeed, Earthiness. Into the nuclear reactor. Ping!
I like poached eggs in the microwave too (I've got a plastic container for 2). Of course they are better done in water on the hob, but nevertheless.
It's a fast fix.

I might try a mug/ microwave cake again.
I didn't hate it. Although, in the oven is infinitely better - but nevertheless ..........

[Earthmaiden Profile]

I will try the crumpets at some point - but am not at all sure!

When I worked shifts, one of my colleagues used to make a super 'fry up' in the microwave - the eggs were properly poached in water, they looked lovely.

[karadekoolaid Profile]

I take it you don't have a sweet tooth, and occasionally crave almost instant gratification!

Spot on there, Suelle!
I think, however, that it´s a lifelong distrust of microwaves - probably completely unfounded. Any time I´ve used a microwave to cook with, I´m dissatisfied with the results. Dough or pastry becomes rubbery and tastes raw. Vegetables - I always seem to get a wierd texture. So I just use the microwave for re-heating.

[Wic Profile]

I think a Mug Cake is something that you make once, just out of interest. It’s not awful, but there are better cakes!