Name: Quick and Easy Red Velvet Mug Cake
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: PT-491528H25M30S
Total time: PT-491528H25M30S
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder; 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; Pinch of salt; 1/4 cup buttermilk; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring (gel or liquid); optional: 1 tablespoon cream cheese frosting, for topping

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Indulge in a quick and delicious treat with this moist red velvet cake recipe, perfect for a single serving when you crave something sweet. This simple recipe brings the classic flavor of Southern red velvet cake right to your kitchen in minutes.

Whether you’re looking for a late-night snack or a quick dessert for one, this easy red velvet mug cake hits all the right notes. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or when you need a little pick-me-up without the fuss of baking a whole cake.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This red velvet mug cake is a dream come true for anyone who loves the classic flavor but doesn’t want to commit to baking an entire cake. It’s perfect for a single serving, which means no leftovers to worry about and no temptation to overindulge. This recipe is incredibly fast, going from pantry to plate in under 10 minutes, making it ideal for those sudden sweet cravings. It’s also a fantastic option for beginner bakers, as it requires minimal equipment and simple steps. You can serve it as a quick dessert after dinner, a comforting treat during a movie night, or even as a fun, easy baking project with kids. The rich, moist texture and signature red hue make it feel special, even though it’s so easy to whip up.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for this mug cake is straightforward, as most items are likely already in your pantry. You’ll need basic baking staples, plus a touch of red food coloring to achieve that iconic red velvet look. Don’t worry about fancy equipment; a microwave-safe mug and a fork are pretty much all you’ll need.

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon red food coloring (gel or liquid)
Optional: 1 tablespoon cream cheese frosting, for topping

If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make a substitute. Just add 1/4 teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a 1/4 cup measuring cup, then fill the rest with regular milk, stir, and let it sit for 5 minutes before using. For the red food coloring, gel food coloring tends to give a more vibrant color with less liquid, but liquid food coloring works just fine too. For a slightly richer flavor, you can use melted butter instead of vegetable oil, though oil will keep the cake incredibly moist.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This recipe is designed for speed and convenience, making it perfect for those moments when you need a quick dessert.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 1-2 minutes
Total Time: 6-7 minutes

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this delicious red velvet mug cake is incredibly simple. Follow these steps for a perfect single-serving treat every time.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a microwave-safe mug (at least 12-ounce capacity), whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps and everything is well combined. This ensures an even distribution of leavening agents and flavor.
Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and white vinegar into the mug with the dry ingredients.
Introduce Red Food Coloring: Add the red food coloring. Start with 1/2 teaspoon and add more if you desire a deeper red hue. Gel food coloring often provides a more intense color.
Mix Until Just Combined: Using a fork, stir all the ingredients together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few small lumps are fine. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake. The batter should be smooth and uniformly red.
Microwave the Cake: Place the mug in the microwave. Cook on high for 60-90 seconds. The exact time will vary depending on your microwave’s wattage. Start with 60 seconds, then check for doneness. The cake is ready when it looks set and springs back slightly when gently touched in the center. It should not be gooey.
Cool and Serve: Carefully remove the hot mug from the microwave. Let the mug cake cool for a minute or two before enjoying. This allows it to set a bit more and prevents you from burning your mouth.
Optional Topping: If desired, top with a dollop of cream cheese frosting for that classic red velvet experience. A sprinkle of powdered sugar or a few chocolate chips also make lovely additions.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This red velvet mug cake is wonderfully versatile and can be adapted to suit different tastes and occasions. For a richer chocolate flavor, you can increase the cocoa powder by half a tablespoon. If you prefer a less intense red, simply reduce the amount of food coloring or omit it entirely for a “chocolate velvet” cake.

For a fun twist, consider adding 1-2 tablespoons of mini chocolate chips to the batter before microwaving. White chocolate chips would also be a fantastic addition, complementing the red velvet flavor beautifully. If you have a sweet tooth, a swirl of Nutella or peanut butter mixed into the batter before cooking can create an exciting flavor surprise.

When it comes to serving, the classic cream cheese frosting is always a winner. You can use store-bought frosting for convenience or whip up a quick homemade version. Other delightful toppings include a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a drizzle of chocolate sauce. For a more elegant presentation, you could crumble a few raspberries or strawberries on top. This mug cake is perfect for a cozy night in, a quick dessert after a family meal, or even as a fun, personalized treat for each family member. Kids will especially love customizing their own mug cakes with different toppings.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even with a simple recipe like a mug cake, a few common mistakes can impact the final result. Knowing these pitfalls can help you achieve a perfect cake every time.

Overmixing the Batter: This is a common error in baking. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tough, chewy cake instead of a moist and tender one. Mix until the ingredients are just combined and there are no visible streaks of flour. A few small lumps are perfectly acceptable.
Overcooking in the Microwave: Microwave ovens vary greatly in power. Cooking for too long is the quickest way to end up with a dry, rubbery mug cake. Start with the minimum recommended time (e.g., 60 seconds) and check for doneness. If it’s still too wet, microwave in 10-15 second increments until it’s just set. The cake should spring back lightly when touched.
Using the Wrong Size Mug: A mug that is too small can cause the batter to overflow during cooking, creating a mess. Ensure you use a microwave-safe mug with at least a 12-ounce capacity to allow for the cake to rise.
Forgetting the Vinegar (or Buttermilk): The vinegar (or the acidity in buttermilk) reacts with the baking soda to create the lift and tender texture characteristic of red velvet cake. Omitting it will result in a dense, flat cake. Don’t skip this crucial ingredient!
Not Letting it Cool Slightly: While tempting to dig in immediately, letting the mug cake cool for a minute or two after microwaving allows it to firm up and set properly. This also prevents you from burning your mouth on the hot cake and mug.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This red velvet mug cake is truly best enjoyed immediately after it’s made. Its charm lies in its fresh, warm, and moist texture straight from the microwave. However, if you do find yourself with a rare leftover, or if you want to prepare the dry ingredients ahead of time, here’s how to manage it.

Storage: If you have any leftovers, which is unlikely given it’s a single serving, cover the mug tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 1 day. The texture will change slightly, becoming a bit denser and less moist than when freshly made.

Reheating: To reheat, remove the plastic wrap and microwave on high for 15-30 seconds, or until just warmed through. Be careful not to overheat, as this can dry out the cake even further. Adding a fresh dollop of cream cheese frosting after reheating can help restore some moisture and flavor.

Make-Ahead Tips: While you can’t really make the whole cake ahead, you can certainly prep the dry ingredients. Whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a small airtight container or a Ziploc bag. When you’re ready for your mug cake, simply pour the dry mix into your mug, add the wet ingredients and

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.