The 90-Second Mug Cake Inspired by the Famous Depression-Era Dessert
Great Depression Wacky Mug Cake
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm someone who enjoys recreating recipes and trying innovative ways to make something old feel like new. From Rihanna's unique spin on macaroni and cheese to a 150-year-old cookie recipe that's easier than imagined, I'm up for giving it all a try without batting an eye.
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While comfort food classics are some of my favorite things to recreate, recipes that have a little history attached to them pique my interest, too. And when they're super-simple? It's a combination that you just can't beat. It's for this very reason that this Great Depression-era mug cake caught my attention. Not only is it creative and convenient, but the minimal ingredients you need to bring this quick cake to life make it worth an immediate try.
Found on Reddit, this scaled down version of social media star B. Dylan Hollis's Wacky Mug Cake — pulled from his cookbook, Baking Yesteryear: The Best Recipes from the 1900s to the 1980s — is one that I knew I had to try. So, after checking my cabinet for ingredients, I hopped right to the kitchen and jumped in my "baker" bag to try my hand at this eggless dessert. After all, who doesn't love a quick and easy sweet treat?
Get the recipe: Great Depression Wacky Mug Cake
Ingredients for the Great Depression Mug Cake
Minimal ingredients are required to make this quick and easy cake: flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, oil, vinegar, vanilla and water.
Courtesy of Choya Johnson
How to Make the Great Depression Mug Cake
This eggless cake takes less than 5 minutes to put together. In a large mug, add your flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder. Mix together and when blended evenly, add in the wet ingredients (oil, vinegar, vanilla and water). Stir together until all ingredients are evenly combined. Next, pop the mug into the microwave for 90 seconds and let the magic happen.
What I Thought of the Great Depression Mug Cake
This was a very easy and simple recipe. In fact, it's one of the easiest recipes I’ve made to date! It didn't take long to "bake" in the microwave and once it was done, the texture of it was extremely moist. It required minimal ingredients, the prep involved just measuring and stirring and the the cook time was just about as long as a commercial break during your favorite show.
This is a fun, simple and delicious dessert that can be made on the fly—especially for people who may need something to soothe their sweet tooth craving during ungodly hours. All in all, this is definitely one recipe I can see myself making again.
Related: Turn Your Starbucks Drink into a Mug Cake for the Ultimate Easy Fall Dessert
Courtesy of Choya Johnson
Tips for Making the Great Depression Mug Cake
1. Make sure you have a large enough mug for your cake. You don't want to experience your cake batter overflowing outside of your mug once it starts to "bake" in the microwave. This is a moment for one of your large mugs.
2. Make it your own. Though this recipe doesn't call for adding in chocolate chips or any other topping, you can always add in a little extra to spruce up this mug cake. Additionally, you could always top with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to take this to the next level.
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