This delicious banana mug cake is an easy single-serving dessert you can make in your microwave, and it will cure any sweet tooth! The quick cooking time on this super tasty banana dessert means you can satisfy your cravings on demand at any time!
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Individual Microwaved Banana Mug Cake
If you're a banana lover, or you are craving a change from the standard chocolate or vanilla mug cakes, this sweet and fluffy banana mug cake is for you!
Not only is this recipe a great way to use up a banana that's gotten a little too ripe, but it's also a dessert you don't have to share (win-win)!
Mug cakes are all the rage because they are quick, easy, and just enough dessert for one person.
With so many mug cake recipes out there, you can basically have whatever flavor you're feeling whenever you want!
🥘 Ingredients
You likely have all these ingredients on hand as long as you have a banana! The brown sugar glaze is 100% optional, but if you're craving something extra sweet, it makes a wonderful addition!
Mug Cake
- All-Purpose Flour - 3 tablespoons of flour.
- Brown Sugar - 3 tablespoons brown sugar. Truthfully, either light or dark brown sugar will work with just a slight difference in taste.
- Baking Powder - ½ a teaspoon of baking powder, not baking soda.
- Salt - Just 1 pinch (*see note).
- Butter - 1 tablespoon of melted butter.
- Egg - 1 egg lightly beaten.
- Milk - 1 tablespoon of milk; any milk fat % will work.
- Banana- 1 banana that has been mashed, plus additional slices for topping if desired.
- Vanilla Extract - ¼ teaspoon of vanilla.
*Be sure to see the recipe card below for ingredients, amounts & instructions!*
🔪 How To Make A Banana Mug Cake
This dessert was made for convenience, so the glaze and the mug cake are super easy to make!
Get out a small mixing bowl, a microwave-safe mug, and a spoon for stirring - that's it!
- Mash. In a small mixing bowl or the microwave-safe mug itself, mash your browned banana until relatively smooth.
- Combine wet ingredients. Slowly stir in 1 tablespoon of melted butter, 1 lightly beaten egg, 1 tablespoon of milk, and ¼ teaspoon of vanilla.
- Stir in the dry ingredients. Measure in the light brown sugar, baking powder, and pinch of salt, then stir to combine. Lastly, add the all-purpose flour and mix until just combined. (3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons of brown sugar, ½ a teaspoon baking powder, and 1 pinch of salt.)
- Bake. Microwave your mug cake for 3 minutes, stopping at the 2-minute mark to check the cake's doneness (it may take less than 3 minutes *see note).
- Cool. Leave the cake in the microwave for 1 minute after it is done to set it and cool it before eating.
NOTE! Your coffee mug needs to be larger than an 8-10 ounce mug to fit the entire batch of batter. Use a large mug or small bowl to microwave your mug cake in.
Top with a dollop of whipped cream or some homemade no-churn ice cream, which would also be delicious! My homemade toffee sauce would pair wonderfully with this cake as well! Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- Measuring Pinches: Understand that a pinch is about 1/16th of a teaspoon. Adding a pinch of cinnamon can enhance the flavor of your microwave mug cake.
- Mug Shape Matters: Use a coffee mug or small bowl with straight sides for more even and efficient cooking. Less tapered mugs help the cake cook uniformly.
- Microwave Variability: Keep in mind that cooking times might differ slightly based on your microwave model. Adjust as needed for the perfect doneness.
- Doneness Test: To check if your cake is ready, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, your cake is done! It should also feel springy when lightly touched, but be careful not to burn yourself.
- Storing Leftovers: While mug cakes are ideally enjoyed fresh, they can be stored and enjoyed cold too. Place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2-3 days. Enjoy straight from the fridge without the need for reheating.
🍌 More Banana Sweets & Treats!
- Peanut Butter Banana Brownies
- Apple Banana Bread
- Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Bread Pudding
- Peanut Butter Banana Cookies
- Chocolate Banana Mini Cakes with Peanut Butter Frosting
- Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
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📖 Recipe Card
Best Banana Mug Cake (Easy Microwave Dessert!)
Ingredients
- 1 medium banana (mashed, plus additional slices for topping if desired)
- 1 large egg (lightly beaten)
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 tablespoon butter (melted and cooled)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
Mug Cake
- In a small mixing bowl, or the microwave-safe mug itself, mash your browned 1 medium banana until relatively smooth.
- Stir in 1 tablespoon of melted 1 tablespoon butter, lightly beaten 1 large egg, 1 tablespoon milk, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Measure in the 3 tablespoon brown sugar, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and 1 pinch salt, and stir to combine. Add the 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour then stir until just combined.
- Microwave for 2-3 minutes, stopping at the 2 minute mark to check how done the cake is (it may take less than 3 minutes *see note).
- Let the cake set in the microwave to cool for at least 1 minute before eating, or while you make the glaze.
- NOTE! Your coffee mug needs to be larger than an 8-10 ounce mug to fit the entire batch of batter. Use a large mug or small bowl to microwave your mug cake in.
Notes
- A pinch of salt is roughly 1/16th of a teaspoon. A pinch of cinnamon would also be great in this easy microwave mug cake.
- Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the model of your microwave.
- The more evenly shaped (less tapered) your coffee mug or small bowl, is the easier your cake will cook evenly and quickly.
- Check your cake's doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center. If no wet batter is left on the toothpick, it's ready! The cake should also be springy to the touch (but don't burn your fingertips!).
- Storing: Mug cakes are best fresh but they are also delicious cold. If you decide to refrigerate extra or any leftovers, place them in an airtight container for 2-3 days. No need to reheat!
Patricia says
Delicious 😋 I put 1/2 tbsp less sugar and baked 3 1/2 minutes and I find it perfect.
My mug was very thick so it needed the extra coking time.
V says
Is the posted nutrition content accurate? 104g of sugar? 864kcal? I want to try this but I read that and feel like I need to work out the macro for myself. 😅 The peanut butter mug cake looks tempting as well.
All of that aside, thank you for taking the time and sharing simple, one serving desserts.
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
It's usually a close estimate but each tablespoon packed brown sugar is roughly 13.5 grams of sugar and a whole banana should be approx 14 grams sugar - so a bit off. As always, your individual ingredients and amounts will make the nutritional estimate vary. 🙂
Tina in Cucina says
BUONISSIMA! io ho provato una versione senza uova! suuuper!
"VERY GOOD! I tried a version without eggs! suuuper!"
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Grazie! Sono così felice che ti sia piaciuta la torta in tazza!
"Thank you! So glad you enjoyed the mug cake!"