Butterscotch Cake in a Mug gives you a fast single-serving dessert mix that turns pantry staples into a warm, soft cake with classic butterscotch flavor in about 2 minutes.
This make-ahead mug mix packages the dry ingredients in individual portions, so you can stash them for easy desserts, tuck them into care packages, or pair them with a mug for a practical homemade gift. If you like small-batch treats, you might also enjoy Cinnamon Honey Bun Coffee Cake Mix in a Mug or browse the Mug Mix Index.
Because this is a dry mix, it stores well when you keep the baggies sealed in an airtight container in a cool, dry cupboard. For best quality, use the mix within about 6 months, which is a conservative estimate based on the cake mix and pudding mix staying dry and well sealed. Once prepared with egg white, the cooked mug cake should be eaten right away or refrigerated within 2 hours and used within 3 to 4 days, which follows USDA leftover safety guidance for cooked egg-based foods and other perishable leftovers from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Butterscotch Cake in a Mug Recipe
You’ll Need:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 small box butterscotch instant pudding mix
- 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla powder
Combine the yellow cake mix and butterscotch instant pudding mix, blending well. Measure 1/2 cup of the mixture into 8 individual baggies and label each one “Cake Mix.” In a separate small baggie, combine the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla powder to make 1 glaze packet for each cake mix portion, then attach a glaze packet to each bag with a twist tie.
Expert Tip: Spray the mug before adding the batter and stir all the way into the bottom corners. Dry pockets of mix are the fastest way to get a gummy center and a dusty flour streak across an otherwise good mug cake.
To Use:
Mist the inside of a coffee mug with cooking spray. Empty 1 cake mix packet into the mug, then add 1 egg white, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, and 1 tablespoon water. Mix well and microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes. Empty 1 glaze packet into a small bowl, stir in 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons water until smooth, and pour the glaze over the baked cake.
Each packet makes 1 individual mug cake, so this batch yields 8 servings. Serve it warm straight from the mug, or turn it out onto a small plate if you want a neater glaze finish. For another easy single-serve option, try Rich Chocolate Mug Cake.
Storage: Store the dry cake mix packets and glaze packets in a cool, dry place inside an airtight container. For best flavor and texture, use within 6 months. After cooking, refrigerate any leftover mug cake promptly and use within 3 to 4 days. The prepared glaze is best used immediately once mixed with water.
Notes: The original bagged mix makes 8 portions using 1/2 cup dry mix per mug cake. Microwave timing is based on the stated directions and may vary slightly by mug size and microwave wattage.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Butterscotch Cake in a Mug
Ingredient |
Walmart Item |
Pkg Price |
Amount Used |
Cost Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Yellow cake mix |
$1.12 |
1 box |
$1.12 |
|
Small box butterscotch instant pudding mix |
$0.78 |
1 ≈ package ≈ 0.601 cup(s) |
$0.78 |
|
Confectioners' sugar |
$2.24 |
1/3 C. |
$0.10 |
|
Vanilla powder |
$5.94 |
1 1/2 t. |
$0.74 |
💸 |
Cost |
|---|---|
🧾 Total Batch Cost |
$2.74 |
👨👩👧👦 Cost Per Serving |
$2.74 |
📅 Walmart prices last verified August 26, 2026. Prices may vary by location and are subject to change. Learn how to calculate the cost of a recipe on your own!
Frequently Asked Questions about Butterscotch Cake in a Mug
Yes. The cake bakes fine without the glaze, and skipping it gives you a less sweet dessert. If you still want a finish on top, dust the hot cake with 1 teaspoon powdered sugar or add a small spoonful of whipped topping after cooking.
If you do not have vanilla powder, leave it out of the dry glaze packet and stir in 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract when you add the water. Liquid vanilla is easier to find, but it should be added at serving time so the glaze mix stays dry in storage.
A whole egg usually adds too much liquid and volume for one mug cake packet, which can make the texture heavy or rubbery. If you do not want to separate an egg, use about 2 tablespoons of beaten egg, which is closer to the amount of one large egg white.
That usually happens from overmixing or overcooking. Stir just until the batter is smooth, then microwave only until the top looks set. In many microwaves, even 10 to 15 extra seconds can push a soft cake into a chewy one.
Use a standard microwave-safe coffee mug that holds at least 10 to 12 ounces. That gives the batter room to rise without spilling over the edge during the 2-minute cook time.
It is better to make two separate mug cakes. Doubling in one mug often cooks unevenly, with dry edges and a damp center. Mug cakes work best as single portions because microwave heat concentrates at the outside first.
If the packets stay tightly sealed and dry, a conservative quality estimate is about 6 months in a cool cupboard. Humidity shortens that window because cake mix and instant pudding both absorb moisture quickly and can clump before they spoil.
Yes, but the texture is best right after cooking. If you need to make it ahead, cool it, cover it, and refrigerate it within 2 hours. Reheat in short 10 to 15 second bursts so it warms through without turning dry.
Whipped cream, chopped pecans, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a few butterscotch chips all work well. Choose one light topping rather than several heavy ones so the warm cake keeps its soft texture instead of getting compressed.
Yes. Include one dry cake packet, one glaze packet, and a tag with the mixing directions: add 1 egg white, 1 tablespoon oil, and 1 tablespoon water, then microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes. A 12-ounce mug makes the gift practical as well as cute.
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Butterscotch Cake in a Mug
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 small box butterscotch instant pudding mix
- ⅓ cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla powder
Equipment
Instructions
- Combine the yellow cake mix and butterscotch instant pudding mix, blending well. Measure 1/2 cup of the mixture into 8 individual baggies and label each one "Cake Mix." In a separate small baggie, combine the confectioners' sugar and vanilla powder to make 1 glaze packet for each cake mix portion, then attach a glaze packet to each bag with a twist tie.
- Mist the inside of a coffee mug with cooking spray. Empty 1 cake mix packet into the mug, then add 1 egg white, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, and 1 tablespoon water. Mix well and microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes. Empty 1 glaze packet into a small bowl, stir in 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons water until smooth, and pour the glaze over the baked cake.
Recipe Size Alteration
💡 If you altered the ingredients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cook time.
After seeing your this recipe I could not stop myself without Making this cake. I made it, it was really fantastic!!!!