Microwave Cake (AKA Emergency Cake)

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where eating some cake was a matter of life and death? Well, this microwave cake (AKA emergency cake) is a recipe for this exact scenario!

Welcome back to the Quickies series! If you love recipes that take 15 minutes or less, this microwave cake is right up your alley.

Now, I’m not going to pretend that I am the first person to have thought of using a microwave to speed up the cooking process. However, up until now I have only seen single-serving mug cakes, whereas this recipe can feed at least four to six people.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Naturally, the biggest selling point of this recipe, at least for me, is the fact it ONLY takes 15 MINUTES! When you’re craving some cake, time is of the essence.
• This is also a great solution for when you have last-minute visitors. Or even planned guests! You won’t be spending half the night in the kitchen, and everyone will love the cake.
• I am willing to bet that if you regularly cook at home, you probably already have most of the ingredients required for this recipe. And even if you had to buy every ingredient, it would not be very expensive.
• Who doesn’t love a light but moist chocolate sponge cake?

20th Century Classic

The concept of microwave cooking, including microwave cakes, really took off in the 1980s. During this period, microwave technology became more advanced and affordable, leading to an increase in their adoption in households.

The convenience and speed of microwave cooking, including making quick desserts like microwave cakes, contributed to their popularity. This was especially appealing to people with busy lifestyles who were looking for ways to prepare meals and treats more efficiently.

While microwave ovens were introduced earlier, it was in the 1980s and the decades that followed that they became more common in households and played a significant role in changing cooking and baking practices, including the emergence of microwave cake recipes.

Of course, classic recipes from the late 20th century featured traditional cake ingredients such as butter and eggs. Thankfully, it’s very easy to veganize a microwave cake, which is how this delicious recipe was born.

How to Make This Recipe

In a mixing bowl, combine the soy milk, coconut yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla. Don’t leave it too long because otherwise the milk will curdle.

As soon as you can, stir in flour, cocoa powder, coconut sugar, baking powder, and salt. Keep mixing everything together until you have a smooth batter with no flour streaks. 

Prep a microwave-safe container. Personally, I used a round 6-inch microwaveable glass container but you can also use a silicone baking dish.

Transfer the batter into your container and microwave on full power (800W) for 5 minutes. Using oven gloves, carefully remove the cake from the microwave and check to see if it’s cooked. 

If the cake is not quite ready, you can microwave in additional 1-minute increments until it is fully cooked. Let the cake cool down before removing from the container and adding icing.

Hack It!

• To avoid the cake from sticking to the container you use, it might be a good idea to spray it or brush it with oil. Alternatively, line the container with parchment paper.
• Of course, there is also the option to eat the cake with the spoon straight from the pan!
• This recipe works just as well as a regular oven cake. Be sure to preheat the oven to 350F while you mix the batter and bake for approximately 25 minutes.
• Icing is optional but I highly recommend it! Whether you use store-bought icing, or make a delicious avocado chocolate mousse or homemade Nutella, it’s going to be amazing.
• If you’re gluten-free, I would recommend subbing oats for all-purpose flour. This way you get delicious chocolate baked oatmeal. Yum!

Quickies is The Way

Certainly! 15-minute cakes and desserts offer a unique set of benefits that make them appealing:

• Instant Gratification. Craving something sweet? 15-minute desserts satisfy your cravings quickly. You can enjoy a homemade treat without the need for lengthy baking and cooling times.
• Impromptu Occasions. Unexpected guests or a sudden desire for dessert? These quick recipes allow you to whip up a delightful dessert without much advance planning.
• Portion Control. Making desserts in small batches means you can indulge without worrying about excessive leftovers. It’s a great way to control portion sizes and prevent overindulgence.
• Kid-Friendly. Kids love sweets, and being able to make quick desserts can be a fun activity for them. You can involve children in the preparation process, teaching them basic cooking skills.
• Dessert Cravings on a Budget. Instead of buying expensive desserts from bakeries or restaurants, you can save money by creating equally delicious treats at home.
• No Oven Required. Some 15-minute dessert recipes are designed for microwave or stovetop cooking, making them ideal for situations where you don’t have access to an oven.

In essence, 15-minute cakes and desserts provide a quick and delightful way to satisfy your sweet tooth, cater to unexpected occasions, and enjoy the pleasures of homemade treats without the time commitment of traditional baking.

Other Recipes You’ll Love

• Chocolate Pudding Cake
• Wacky Cake (Depression Era Cake)
• Healthy Blueberry Jam WIthout Pectin
• Frozen S’Mores
• Pudding Cake

If you love quick and simple desserts like this one, you will enjoy 140+ delicious vegan meals from my cookbook! The PlantYou Cookbook was a labor of love, and a tribute to all the things I wish I had when I first transitioned to plant-based living. All of the recipes in this book are WFPB-compliant and beginner-friendly. Plus, I made sure that every recipe will have a helpful infographic detailing the ingredients.

If you’re an adventurous cook who likes to try new recipes every week, you’ll love the PlantYou Planner! It’s an interactive meal planner app that’s fully vegan and largely WFPB. You get to choose from over 600 delicious recipes to create your own meal plan, or follow one of the plans curated by our team. In addition to all that, the app provides allergy swaps for most recipes and generates a custom shopping list. How amazing is that?

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