Busy Day Microwave Mug Cake

"Eating rice cakes is like chewing on a foam coffee cup, only less filling."
– Dave Barry

This recipe was developed based on the Busy Day Cake found in the 1982 edition of Great Baking Begins With White Lily Flour: A Collection of Treasured Southern Baking Recipes.  As a side note about microwave cakes in general - they are incredibly easy to make, and just about any cake or cupcake recipe can be adjusted to create a single-serve mug cake.  That being said, this one is pretty darn easy to make, and you should have the ingredients on hand.  I used an adjustable measuring spoon (Pampered Chef) to measure the solid ingredients.  That allowed me to push the solid ingredients into my bowl without having to scrape them out with a spoon.  Also, I used Miracle Whip because that was what I had on hand.  The batter had the right consistency, and fortunately I could not taste the spices in the MW.  However, the texture of the cake was a bit tough.  The measurements need to be precise to keep the cake balanced, so don't just eyeball it!

Busy Day Microwave Mug Cake

1 3/4 tsp shortening (Crisco)
2 Tb + 2 tsp self-rising flour
1 Tb + 1 tsp granulated sugar
1 Tb + 1 tsp milk
1 tsp mayonnaise
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

In medium bowl, whip (stir really fast until it is softened) shortening with fork ~30 seconds.  Add remaining ingredients, stir vigorously til mixed well.  Pour batter into microwave safe mug sprayed lightly with cooking spray.  Microwave on high 1 minute (1200 watts).  Let cake cool slightly before turning it out onto a plate.  I didn't loosen mine around the edges, I just kind of shook the mug back and forth to loosen it and then turned it over.

The cake doesn't look very pretty, but it has a good taste.  I cooked mine for 1 minute 10 seconds, but I do not recommend it.  The cake may look goopy around the edges, but remember, there are no raw eggs, so you don't have to be concerned.  If you cook it longer than 1 minute on high, the bottom will begin to dry out and burn.  You could also do this without mayonnaise, but the texture is not the same.