I am in love with coffee mugs! Okay, not as much as I am in love with my hubby. I love handmade mugs, ones with eye catching designs or ones that remind me of places I have been. Mugs I was given as gifts and others that I have just always had. I have also been known to share my love of mugs with those around me. I think they make perfect gifts and all the better when they contain a cake mix intended to be baked in that very mug.

Everyone uses mugs, from soup to coffee or tea. They are part of everyday life. I have never been in a kitchen, office, apartment, or dorm room that didn't have a mug! This makes the idea of mugs as a gift perfect for almost anyone! You can make them gluten free, sugar free and low-fat, if needed. They are cost effective and simple to put together.

I rely on mug cakes when I want a one-serving sweet dessert with no left-overs. So, why not make it into a simple gift idea that works for almost anyone. In this weeks tutorial I will outline the supplies and steps needed to complete this wonderful gift idea.

Supplies:

Microwave safe mug of choice
A mini wooden spoon or wire whisk (optional)
Clear/patterned cellophane treat bag (Party City, Michaels, Hobby Lobby)
Ribbon/twine/string
Scissors & hole punch
Recipe ingredients (listed below)
Color printer

Step 1: Step 1:

Purchase the perfect mug for the recipient.

Step 2:

Combine the dry ingredients only in the cellophane bag.

Here are a few recipes:

Chocolate Crazy Cake in a Mug

(This recipe does not call for eggs, milk or butter.)

(Combine these ingredients in the cellophane bag)

5 Tablespoons flour (all-purpose)
4 1/2 Tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cocoa (unsweetened)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda Dash of salt

(These are the ingredients that will be on the FREE download.)

1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons vegetable oil (or canola)
4 1/2 Tablespoons water

Spray the inside of the mug with non-stick cooking spray. Put the cake mix in the mug, mix well. After mixing well, make 3 depressions in dry ingredients. Pour vinegar in one depression, vanilla in the other and the vegetable oil in third depression. Pour water over top. Mix well until smooth using a fork. Place in microwave and cook on high for 1-2 minutes, uncovered. Check with toothpick to make sure it comes out clean. Be sure not to over cook.

Chocolate Chip Mug Cake
(Combine these ingredients in the cellophane bag)

4 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 Tablespoons brown sugar (lightly packed)
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 Tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips

(These are the ingredients that will be on the FREE download.)

3 Tablespoons low fat milk
1/8 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 Tablespoon vegetable oil

Spray inside of mug with non-stick cooking spray. Then, put cake mix in the mug. Stir in wet ingredients. Use an 8 oz. mug and it should just reach the top when finished cooking. Mix with a small, sturdy whisk until a smooth batter forms and no lumps remain. Stir in the chocolate chips. Cook in microwave for about 1 minute. Let cool a few minutes before eating.

Step 3:

Print and trim the mug cake tag and punch a hole in the top to make it easy to attach.

Step 4:

Close the cellophane bag with your choice of ribbon, twine or string. Print and trim the mug cake tag, punch a hole in the top, attach to the handle of the mug or around the top of the cellophane bag with ribbon, string or twine. You can use tissue paper in the bottom of your mug to fill up the mug more if needed. Attach a mini wooden spoon or wire whisk the handle of the mug if you wish.

Bonus Idea:
Mugs can be used to hold more than just mini cakes! Fill your cellophane treat bag with anything from their favorite tea, instant soup & crackers, candy or hot chocolate mix. Then make your own gift tag on the blank tag included in the free download and your personalized gift is ready to go!

Visit www.bethericksondesigns.com for more tutorials and www.bethannerickson.etsy.com for printables to use in your own creative projects.

Source: www.bethericksondesigns.com
DIY Journal by Beth Ann Erickson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at www.bethericksondesigns.com.