Mug Cake Gift: An Easy DIY

Looking for a fun, foolproof way to spread cheer this season? This mug cake gift is the perfect blend of cozy, cute, and delicious. It’s an actually good mug cake your friends will truly want to make. With a mug cake gift recipe in a jar, a diy twist, and only three simple ingredients, this chocolate chip mug cake mix comes together in minutes, making it one of the easiest mug cake Christmas gift ideas you’ll ever assemble. Whether you’re dreaming up DIY mug cake mix gift ideas or just love quick and easy desserts, this charming 3-ingredient mug cake gift jar is guaranteed to become your new go-to mug cake gift.

Rescued By a DIY Mug Cake Gift Idea

Since I work at five different schools (a different one each day) as a school librarian, joining in on Secret Santa gift week at any one school is a challenge. I do my best to stay involved and create connections with staff, so I try to join in when I can. One of the schools has a creative way to make sure each day of gift giving during the last week before vacation is fun and festive. Each day has a different theme, sent out by the school secretary:

MONDAY “SOMETHING COZY”: Start the week with warmth and comfort-fuzzy socks, a scented candle, warm drink, etc.

TUESDAY “SOMETHING DELICIOUS”: A day dedicated to edible treats-candy, coffee/tea, snacks, etc.

WEDNESDAY “RECIPE EXCHANGE”: Share your favorite recipe and the non-perishable items to help your Secret Santa create a yummy treat.

THURSDAY “WANT, NEED, WEAR, READ”: Something from your Secret Santa’s favorites list.

“FESTIVE” FRIDAY: Small ornament, holiday mug, holiday-themed treat, or decoration, and reveal yourself to your Secret Santa.

All of these are great ideas, but for the Wednesday theme, I was stumped. I needed something simple, preferably inexpensive, and quick. Then I remembered an amazingly easy mug cake recipe shared with me by my aunt years ago. Problem solved! Here’s how to transform that recipe into a cute mug cake gift.

Supplies and Equipment

2 one-quart mason jars with lids (can be wide-mouth or narrow-mouth)

1 mixing bowl

1 canning funnel (for pouring the mix into the jars

2 zip-top sandwich bags

Cellophane or mylar gift wrap

Decorative ribbon

Festive microwave-safe mug (optional)

Ingredients

1 box angel food cake mix

1 box any other flavor cake mix

1 cup chocolate chips (any flavor, milk, dark, white, mint, butterscotch, based on your the gift recipient’s tastes)

Directions

Mix the two boxes of cake mix together. I generally use chocolate, but you can customize this recipe to suit a variety of tastes. When the mixture has been thoroughly combined, divide it equally between the two canning jars. Use a canning funnel to cut down on the mess. Put 1/2 cup chocolate chips into each plastic baggie and place it inside the jar on top of the mug cake mixture. Decorate the lid with ribbon and cellophane, then attach it to each jar (see photos below). Attach a recipe card with directions to the jar. Bag it up with a cute, festive mug if desired. Presto! Your DIY mug cake gift is complete!

 

No cellophane or mylar gift wrap? You can also use fabric or simply tie a ribbon around the neck of the jar and attach the tag. Each option would add a festive touch.

Free Mug Cake Gift Recipe Cards

You can either print this recipe and put it in a decorative envelope or print out a decorative recipe card on cardstock with this free printable design. If you don’t have cardstock, you can print out the sheet on a regular piece of paper, then cut the cards out and glue each to an index card. Punch a hole in the card and thread a ribbon through, then attach it to the jar.

Packaging Mug Cake as a Gift

My favorite way to decorate a mason jar lid for gifting calls for some cellophane (any color), a twist tie, and a piece of ribbon. First, cut a 12-inch square of cellophane and center it on top of the flat jar lid. Screw the band down over the cellophane, then gather it together on top and twist firmly. Fasten the twist with a twist tie, then tie a ribbon below the twist tie. Remove the twist tie and trim the top with scissors so the edges are even. Ta-da! Here is a visual for you to reference, or you can see the method in this video.

Looking for Other Easy Treat Ideas for Gifts?

If you are searching for easy recipes for homemade food gifts, simple treat recipes are a great place to start. In addition to this mug cake gift idea, you might also like to try making chocolate scotcheroos, peanut butter fudge, cashew caramel corn, truffles, or a homemade candy gift box. Bake up some easy cookies with a 3-ingredient, versatile recipe.

More Food Inspiration

It’s always nice to have a plan when it comes to making treats or meals. If you’re looking for a way to get more organized with your planning efforts, I’ve got something for you. Free, editable meal planners! The templates can be used over and over, as often as you need them. You can make as many duplicates as you like, and you’ll be able to save old meal plans for future reference. I hope it simplifies things for you.

Get my digital, editable, printable templates!

Enjoy making this DIY mug cake gift, and may all of your homemade holiday gift endeavors meet with great success!