This Pumpkin Mug Cake recipe is dangerously easy to make. You are only 60 seconds away from warm, delicious cake!
I attended my first Tupperware party before I was even married. One of the women I worked with had a party and invited everyone from work. I was quite impressed with all of the products, but the thing I remember most from the party was the host telling us how we could use a soup mug to make a cupcake for one in the microwave. I bought one of the soup mugs, but didn’t have the recipe written down (this was way back before the internet, if you can image such a thing) and ended up using my mug for soup. About 10 years later, I was reintroduced to the idea of cake in a mug using cake mix and water. The second time around I was sure to write the recipe down.
Mug cakes have become my go to treat when I am craving sweets and need something with my coffee in the evening. I use two tablespoons of sugar free chocolate cake mix and one tablespoon of water. Mix it together in a greased cup or small ramekin and microwave for one minute. Since it is autumn, I decided to try making a 60 second microwave pumpkin mug cake version with only 4 ingredients and I had to share it with you!
Put 3 tablespoons of cake mix (regular or sugar free), 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree, 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice and 1 tablespoon water into a small greased, microwave safe bowl or mug. I used a small ramekin.
Mix with a fork until mostly smooth.
Microwave on high for 60 seconds. And viola just like that you’ve got cake and you can eat it too!
Top it with some whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice. Or top with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and toasted pecans.
The awesome thing is that it really does turn out like cake, as you can see in this picture. It isn’t some gooey version being called cake. I store the rest of the package of cake mix in my pantry so that it is ready the next time I want cake. The pumpkin will be harder to store, but I am going to try to freeze some in ice cube trays. I can quickly thaw one pumpkin cube whenever I need it.
- 3 tablespoons white cake mix (regular or sugar free)
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
- 1 tablespoon water
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- Put white cake mix, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and water into a small greased, microwave-safe mug or ramekin.
- Mix with a fork until mostly smooth.
- Microwave on high for 60 seconds.
- Optional: Top with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice.
Maple Glazed Pumpkin Coffee Cake
Hi, I'm Tonia, a lover of food and photography! Fill a gunny sack with delicious ingredients, tie on an apron and let's get cooking!
How would you double the recipe for a large mug? I don’t have many dishes, most of them are just big, lol.
I would double the ingredients and start by microwaving for 60 seconds and see if it looks done. Keep cooking for 15 second intervals.
I love this recipe but because I’m trying to cut back on carbs used 2 T of angel food cake mix with 2 T of pumpkin plus water and spice. It’s a bit more dense but still tastes really good!
Sounds great, Michele! Thanks for the suggestion!
I made this with Betty Crocker Super Moist yellow cake mix.
Then added the other ingredients. In my microwave it took 1 minuet to cook.
It was delicious. It was a moist cake. I topped it with wihipped cream.
Then I made one for my husband and he loved it too.
I will be enjoying these this Fall.
Thank you.
Awesome! Don’t you just love easy desserts? Thanks Maggie! ~Tonia
Can this be made ahead and put in frig? Thanks Sounds like a winner
I’ve never tried making it ahead of time since it only takes 60 seconds in the microwave and I like it warm. But like other cake, you should be able to make it ahead of time! Happy Baking! ~Tonia
Super yummy! I used a carrot cake mix I bought at health food store. Taste like a spice cake. So good. I have made many mug cakes in my day. This one is right up there on top as far as taste and easiness goes!
I make the 3-2-1 mug cake (a package of Angeles Food & a package regular cake mix) since I have this mixture with white cake in the cupboard I’m wondering if this will work with this recipe?
I’ve never tried that but I would give it try and see what happens!
I also just tried it and same experience as cheryl… It was super gooey 🙁 Any idea what could go wrong? recipe seems foolproof 🙁
Hi Christina,
Every microwave cooks so differently and the type of bowl or cup (glass/cermamic/etc) and the shape of the bowl or cup (wide mouth/tall sides/narrow/etc) will affect the outcome. I would suggest that you experiment with the recipe and cook times, since you already have the box of cake mix and the can of pumpkin. Try cooking it for 15 seconds longer, check it and cook it for another 15 seconds. Try using a different bowl, mug or cup. Try using less liquid (water and/or pumpkin). Happy Baking!
~Tonia
hi, this looked so good i tried it. i think i did somehting wrong. it was flat and doughey…help yours looks yummy.
i used king arthurs yellow cake mix. any ideas people what i did wrong
How would you recommend thawing the pumpkin puree ice cubes? Is there any particular “best” way to thaw them? New to cooking/baking 🙂
I think I would put an ice cube in a bowl and microwave it for a few seconds. Best of luck! ~Tonia
I tried this tonight with a spice cake mix and it was awesome! I only had one ramekin, so cooked the first one, and since I wanted to make 2, took it out, but it flattened somewhat. I left the second one in to cool and gave that to my husband since it only flattened a little. Will definitely be making these again.
This looks so good Tonia – LOVE mug cakes! Pinned and shared on FB!
Thanks Trish!
Can’t wait to try this but does anyone suggest a particular brand or type of cake mix?
Hi LayNa! I used Pillsbury’s White cake mix. I know that Betty Crocker makes a spice cake mix that would be delicious for this mug cake too! Happy Baking! ~Tonia
This recipe is going to be waaay dangerous 🙂
Such a great idea!! Can’t wait to try this soon! Pinned
This is absolute perfection!
This recipe could be dangerous for me! This mug cake looks so good!
Oh this is so dangerous. Easy, low calorie and fat and delicious. I could eat one every night.
Yes! It is dangerous to have something so good that is so easy to make. Thanks Christie!
I love mug desserts! I have never even thought of using pumpkin. YUM!
I totally agree! Thanks!
What a great recipe!! LOVE it. Mug cakes are the best.
They can be a little dangerous since they are so easy to make! Thanks Dorothy!