Quick Cakes Recipes - makes a great gift!

Most of the recipes I post here are for meals, but you've probably noticed I sprinkle in a few sweet treats now and then, too.  I've got another idea that makes not only a yummy little individual dessert that's made in a minute or two in the microwave, but a great gift idea as well!  It's called:

Quick Cakes!

All the ingredients are pantry-friendly (shelf-stable), of course!

These make great little birthday, Mother's Day, Father's Day, graduation, and Christmas holiday gifts.  I gave these away at Christmastime (as you can see by the poinsettia bow), and they were a HUGE hit!

Plus, they make a fun option for individual cakes at a birthday party!  Just imagine everyone getting to mix up their own.

2023 NOTE:  I made these cute Quick Cakes recipe cards a few years ago with a company that has changed its platform and no longer facilitates this kind of flexible creativity.  So you can either just write the recipes I'll share here on a little index card for gifting, or order the new set I've made using my favorite digital scrapbooking program at this link for professional printing! 

My new set is on a thick, glossy 8.5x11 scrap page, 
so you'll just cut them apart like this.  Punch holes
in the corners, then put a clasp right through them all.

If you're going to gift them, gifting with a cake mix is perfect!

All right, now we're ready to have a look at these easy recipes!

First, the Helpful Hints:

• Use Betty Crocker cake mixes for best results.
• Stir batter for 1 minute until smooth.
• All recipes can be made in cereal-size bowls.  20-oz. plastic, paper, and foam bowls are great for easy clean-up.   They can also be made in large (microwaveable) mugs.
• Microwave cooking times can vary.  Adjust time 5-10 seconds if necessary.

M&M FROSTED CAKE

Mix together in a cereal-size bowl 1/2 c. white cake mix, 1/3 c. water, 1/2 tsp. powdered sugar.  Stir for 1 minute.  Microwave about 90 seconds.  Top with prepared chocolate or vanilla frosting and M&Ms.

CARAMEL TURTLE CAKE

Mix together in a cereal-size bowl 1/2 c. yellow cake mix, 1/3 c. water, 1/2 tsp. powdered sugar.  Stir for 1 minute.  Microwave about 90 seconds.  Top with chopped pecans, chocolate chips, and warmed caramel topping.

ROCKY ROAD CAKE

Mix together in a cereal-size bowl 1/2 c. chocolate cake mix and 1/3 c. water.  Stir for 1 minute.  Microwave about 90 seconds.  Top with marshmallows, chocolate chips, and chopped almonds.  Microwave an additional 10 seconds to soften the chocolate chips.

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

Mix together in a cereal-size bowl 1/2 c. white or yellow cake mix, 1/3 c. water, 1/2 tsp. powdered sugar.  Stir for 1 minute.  Microwave about 95 seconds.  Top with strawberry jam (or fresh sliced strawberries).

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE

Mix together in a cereal-size bowl 1/2 c. chocolate cake mix and 1/3 c. water.  Stir for 1 minute.  Microwave about 90 seconds.  Top with coconut, chocolate chips, and chopped pecans.  Microwave an additional 10 seconds to soften the chocolate chips.

MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKE

Mix together in a cereal-size bowl 1/2 c. chocolate cake mix and 1/3 c. water.  Stir for 1 minute.  Microwave about 90 seconds.  Top with mint chocolate chips.

CARROT CAKE

Mix together in a cereal-size bowl 1/2 c. carrot cake mix and 1/3 c. water.  Stir for 1 minute.  Microwave about 90 seconds.  Cool slightly, then frost with prepared cream cheese frosting.

MOLTEN LAVA CAKE

Mix together in a cereal-size bowl 1/2 c. chocolate cake mix and 1/3 c. water.  Stir for 1 minute. Place 5 generous teaspoons of hot fudge topping on top.  Microwave about 90 seconds.  Increase cooking time if fudge topping is cold.

OREO COOKIE CAKE

Mix together in a cereal-size bowl 1/2 c. white cake mix and 1/3 c. water, and 1 crushed Oreo cookie.  Stir for 1 minute.  Microwave about 95 seconds.  Sprinkle with another crushed Oreo and prepared whipped topping (or prepared Dream Whip for pantry-friendly version).

LEMON CAKE

Mix together in a cereal-size bowl 1/2 c. lemon cake mix and 1/3 c. water.  Stir for 1 minute.  Microwave about 90 seconds.  Dust warm cake with powdered sugar.

These little recipes are great for parties, too, where everyone makes their own individual cakes.  

And I love having them on hand just in case anyone I know needs a little treat.  :) 

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