how to make cake in a mug

Besides being a broke college student, I am a horrible baker. I once mistook powdered sugar for flour—you can imagine how those cookies turned out. Despite years of baking with my aunt, the principles of precision never seemed to stick. Baking is a science after all—which is why I’m an English major.

But one night, I was determined to eat cake–whatever way possible. My late-night craving overshadowed the fact that I’m without baking necessities (like a cake pan, oil and eggs) in my new apartment.

But keep calm and carry on, as the saying goes.  After all, necessity is the mother of invention!

I have heard of Diet Coke as an oil and egg substitute. Sounds crazy, but after a quick Google search I discovered  it can be done. And to avoid using my oven, I researched the possibility of microwave cake. The trusty Internet came through again, and I took advice from here and here.

So here we go: Follow my mad-scientist recipe to make your own, microwave, Diet Coke cake—in a mug! (About 6 servings, depending on the mug size)

Note: Any microwave-safe container can be used. I like the mug for a personal serving.

Ingredients:

• 1 12 oz. can of Diet Coke
• Standard box-cake mix
• Butter or cooking spray

Steps:

1. Mix one, 12 oz. can with a standard box-cake mix.
   

   It's literally a cup-cake!

2. Grease a favorite coffee mug with butter, or cooking spray, and fill halfway with the Diet Coke/cake mix concoction.
3. After 2 minutes in the microwave, you will have a perfectly edible, incredibly delicious, personal serving of cake! (Make sure you watch the cake in the microwave—it will rise!)
   

   Don't let it volcano over!

4. Once out of the microwave, let mug cool before frosting.

The remaining cake mix can be refrigerated for a couple days. A perfect way to enjoy these mini desserts for the rest of the week!

Your turn: Maybe you haven’t made a cake with soda in a microwave, but what’s the craziest food (or something else) you’ve created out of pure necessity?