This Pumpkin Mug Cake recipe is super easy to make with only a few ingredients. You are only 60 seconds away from warm, delicious cake!
A 3 ingredient mug cake is made with cake mix, water, and a stir-in of your choice, such as spices, sprinkles, or chocolate chips! For this pumpkin mug cake, we also added pumpkin puree to give it more pumpkin flavor.
What You’ll Find In This Post
Tonia’s Notes
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 microwave soup mugs but didn’t have the recipe written down (this was way back before the internet, if you can imagine 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.
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 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!
Ingredients Needed
- Cake Mix: You only need three tablespoons, so store the rest of the cake mix in an airtight container for the next time you want to make a mug cake!
- Water: Use water to moisten the cake mix.
- Pumpkin: This recipe only uses one tablespoon of pumpkin puree. You can freeze the leftover pumpkin puree in ice cube trays and then store them in the freezer in an airtight container.
- Spice: Pumpkin pie spice adds flavor to the cake.
How To Make A Pumpkin Mug Cake
Put 3 tablespoons of cake mix (regular or sugar-free), 1 tablespoon of pumpkin puree, 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, and 1 tablespoon of water into a small greased, microwave-safe ramekin or mug.
Mix the batter with a fork until it is smooth.
Microwave the cake on high for 45-60 seconds, depending on your microwave. And voila, 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 a cake, as you can see in this picture. It isn’t some gooey version being called cake.
Other Ways To Make It
3 Ingredient Mug Cake
- Try three tablespoons of spice cake mix, one tablespoon of pumpkin puree, and one tablespoon of water.
- Or use two tablespoons of yellow cake mix, one tablespoon of water, and the pumpkin pie spice.
Chocolate Pumpkin Mug Cake
- Use chocolate cake mix instead of yellow.
- Stir in one to two teaspoons of mini chocolate chips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, try using butter pecan, carrot, spice, or even chocolate cake mix.
Every microwave cooks differently, and the type of bowl or cup (glass/ceramic/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 less, check it, and cook it for another 15 seconds. You can also try using a different bowl, mug, or cup. Another option is to try using less liquid (water and/or pumpkin).
Prepare it the same way you would if you were making it in the microwave, and then bake it at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.
More Quick Dessert Ideas
- A 60 Second Brownie is the fastest way to get a warm, delicious brownie!
- This Microwave Apple Crisp is ready in only 2 1/2 minutes.
- Candy Bar Pretzel Bites are a sweet and salty treat!
- Chocolate No Bake Cookies come together in minutes.
Pumpkin Mug Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon yellow cake mix
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
- 1 tablespoon water
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Put cake mix, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and water into a small greased, microwave-safe mug or ramekin.
- Mix with a fork until smooth.
- Microwave on high for 45 to 60 seconds.
- Optional: Top with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice.
Video
Notes
3 Ingredient Mug Cake
- Use 3 tablespoons of spice cake mix, 1 tablespoon of pumpkin puree, and 1 tablespoon of water.
- Or use 2 tablespoons of yellow cake mix, 1 tablespoon of water, and 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.
Chocolate Pumpkin Mug Cake
- Use chocolate cake mix instead of yellow.
- Add one to two teaspoons of mini chocolate chips.
Donna says
Has anybody tried to cook one in an air fryer?
Tonia says
Hi Sue!
Here is the link to the printable recipe: http://www.thegunnysack.com/easyrecipe-print/8556-0/
I can also email it to you if you can’t get it to print.
Warmly,
Tonia
Mayda Cox says
Hi!!
This sounds amazing!! Thank you for sharing!!
I would prefer to bake it in my toaster oven. Any idea of how long & at what temp?
Thank you!!
Tonia says
Hi Mayda! Can you believe I don’t even have a toaster oven?!! I found a recipe for a mug cake by my friend Michelle over at Smart Savy Living. She baked her cake at 350° for 15-25 minutes in a toaster oven. You can check it out here: http://www.smartsavvyliving.com/chocolate-mug-cake/
Happy baking!
~Tonia
Robin says
How would you double the recipe for a large mug? I don’t have many dishes, most of them are just big, lol.
Tonia says
I would double the ingredients and start by microwaving for 60 seconds and see if it looks done. Keep cooking for 15 second intervals.
Michele says
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!
Tonia says
Sounds great, Michele! Thanks for the suggestion!
Maggie says
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.
Tonia says
Awesome! Don’t you just love easy desserts? Thanks Maggie! ~Tonia
Maggie says
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.
Kathi P says
Can this be made ahead and put in frig? Thanks Sounds like a winner
Tonia says
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
Jean says
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!
Jacki says
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?
Tonia says
I’ve never tried that but I would give it try and see what happens!
Susan Millet says
How many calories in a pumpkin mug cake ?
Thank you
Susan M.
Christina says
I also just tried it and same experience as cheryl… It was super gooey 🙁 Any idea what could go wrong? recipe seems foolproof 🙁
Tonia says
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
KJL says
How would you recommend thawing the pumpkin puree ice cubes? Is there any particular “best” way to thaw them? New to cooking/baking 🙂
Tonia says
I think I would put an ice cube in a bowl and microwave it for a few seconds. Best of luck! ~Tonia
Karen says
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.
LayNa says
Can’t wait to try this but does anyone suggest a particular brand or type of cake mix?
Tonia says
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
Nancy says
I’d like to try this but the Face Book post didn’t give measurement for cake mix & water. Will you help?
Tonia says
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for stopping by! Here are the ingredients:
3 tablespoons white cake mix (regular or sugar free)
1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon water
½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Enjoy!
~Tonia
Beth @ The First Year says
This recipe is going to be waaay dangerous 🙂
Laura @PetiteAllergyTreats says
Such a great idea!! Can’t wait to try this soon! Pinned
Christie - Food Done Light says
Oh this is so dangerous. Easy, low calorie and fat and delicious. I could eat one every night.
Tonia says
Yes! It is dangerous to have something so good that is so easy to make. Thanks Christie!
A Young Wife says
I love mug desserts! I have never even thought of using pumpkin. YUM!
Tonia says
I totally agree! Thanks!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
What a great recipe!! LOVE it. Mug cakes are the best.
Tonia says
They can be a little dangerous since they are so easy to make! Thanks Dorothy!