Microwave Rocky Road Sponge Cakes Recipe (2024)

Why It Works

  • We love using our microwave. In addition to baking the cakes in the microwave, we use it to dry out and "roast" them. This technique intensifies their natural flavor and gives them a light crisp texture.
  • We mix the batter in a food processor, adding a splash of bourbon for added flavor, and then process in the nuts and marshmallow. The marshmallows provide extra leavening for the cakes.
  • We portion the cake batter into paper cups that have been vented to allow steam to escape.

Microwave cakes have now become mainstream. Sort of. They were invented by Albert Adria. He used a whipped cream dispenser and a microwave to make almost instant light-as-air cakes. The technique has been adapted and adopted by chefs and home cooks around the world. It's a favorite of ours and we have formulated a number of recipes, from Danish to cornbread.

The problem? Each time we published a new recipe, a reader would complain about the use of the whipped cream canister. While many gear-heads and serious home cooks have one, they're just not as common as the food media would like us to believe. They also have their limitations: You can't make a microwave sponge cake with any sort of chunky inclusions when using the canister.

We decided that there had to be a way to make these cakes without using the gadget.

We thought about soufflé cakes, how they have a similar light and airy texture, but are softer and less stable than microwave sponge cakes. Soufflé cakes are lightened with whipped egg whites. So we set about making a microwave cake using a hybrid meringue as our leavening. Alex had a craving for Rocky Road so we decided to use that as the flavor base giving us the extra challenge of how to add inclusions like marshmallow, toasted nuts, and chocolate to the cake while changing the base recipe.

To make our cakes, we start by toasting walnuts in the microwave. It's a really easy method and results in more even toasting than on the stovetop and is faster than toasting in the oven.

Next, we melt a combination of dark and white chocolate by running it in the food processor, letting the heat of friction do the work for us. A little bit of peanut oil adds some tenderness to the cakes and brown sugar lends flavor as well as some moisture-retention properties.

Microwave Rocky Road Sponge Cakes Recipe (1)

Next we add flour, cocoa powder, salt, and powdered egg whites to the base and blend it up again. Finally, 3 egg yolks, milk, and a splash of bourbon get blended in until a fully smooth batter is formed.

Microwave Rocky Road Sponge Cakes Recipe (2)

After making this rich batter, our plan was to fold it into a whipped egg white mixture for leavening.

In the process of testing this we discovered something really interesting. Our first round of cakes was seriously dense, until we folded in miniature marshmallows. When we microwaved the cakes with the marshmallows, they expanded and pushed the rising cake batter up and out of the cups. They provided steam leavening and created huge holes in the finished cake. Not ideal results, but really interesting and worth exploring.

Microwave Rocky Road Sponge Cakes Recipe (3)

We adapted this idea and instead of using whole marshmallows and nuts, we decided to pulse some into the batter to chop them up a little more finely. The inclusions add gooey texture, sweet flavors, and additional leavening. Turns out that the miniature marshmallows are the macro-leaveners in our micro cakes.

The rest is pretty straightforward. We whip a few egg whites in a stand mixer until frothy, then we add some powdered sugar and keep whipping until stiff glossy peaks form.

To this we add our chocolate base...

Microwave Rocky Road Sponge Cakes Recipe (4)

...and start very gently folding it in.

Microwave Rocky Road Sponge Cakes Recipe (5)

The key here is to combine the two elements without deflating the whipped whites—the inclusion of plenty of air is what keeps these cakes light and tender.

The very best part about these little cakes? They don't require any special baking equipment beyond little paper cups. To bake them, just poke a hole in the bottom of a paper cup along with three small holes around the perimeter for venting.

Microwave Rocky Road Sponge Cakes Recipe (6)

Pour the batter into the cup, and microwave them for just 45 seconds. They come out light as air, puffy, and moist, and while they're great eaten hot out of the microwave, we actually think they have the best flavor when eaten at room temperature.

October 2014

Recipe Details

Microwave Rocky Road Sponge Cakes Recipe

Prep20 mins

Cook25 mins

Active20 mins

Total45 mins

Makes20 small cakes

Ingredients

  • 100g walnut halves
  • 150g 60% dark chocolate chips
  • 150g white chocolate chips
  • 50g dark brown sugar
  • 50g peanut oil or walnut oil
  • 50g all-purpose flour
  • 50g cocoa powder
  • 18g powdered egg whites
  • 3g salt
  • 3 large eggs, separated
  • 175g whole milk
  • 30g Knob Creek Bourbon, or your favorite
  • 100g powdered sugar
  • 100g miniature marshmallows

Directions

  1. Put the walnuts in an even layer on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave the walnuts for 1 minute. Stir the walnuts on the plate and microwave for 1 minute longer. Stir the walnuts again and continue to microwave the walnuts in 1-minute intervals for a total of 5 minutes. Let the walnuts cool on the plate.

    Microwave Rocky Road Sponge Cakes Recipe (7)

  2. Put the dark chocolate, white chocolate, brown sugar, and peanut oil into a food processor. Process until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth, about 3 minutes.

    Microwave Rocky Road Sponge Cakes Recipe (8)

  3. Add the flour, cocoa powder, powdered egg whites, and salt into the food processor and pulse the mixture 10 times to blend the ingredients, about 12 seconds total.

    Microwave Rocky Road Sponge Cakes Recipe (9)

  4. Add the 3 egg yolks, milk, and bourbon to the food processor and process until it forms a smooth batter, about 1 minute. Stop and scrape down the sides once during this process.

  5. Add the walnuts and miniature marshmallows into the food processor and pulse 10 times, about 12 seconds, until they are minced and mixed into the batter.

    Microwave Rocky Road Sponge Cakes Recipe (10)

  6. Whip the 3 large egg whites on medium in a stand mixer with the whisk for 2 minutes, until they begin to get frothy. Remove the bowl from the mixer and sift the powdered sugar over the egg whites. Return to the stand mixer and whip the mixture on medium speed until it forms stiff, glossy peaks, about 5 minutes. Remove the bowl from the mixer and knock any egg white that clings to the whisk back into the bowl.

    Microwave Rocky Road Sponge Cakes Recipe (11)

  7. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the chocolate batter into the bowl of whipped egg whites and then fold them together to form a light, uniform batter. This takes about 30 seconds.

    Microwave Rocky Road Sponge Cakes Recipe (12)

  8. Use a pairing knife to poke a hole in the bottom of each paper cup and 3 holes evenly around the circumference of the cup. Reserve the cups. Don’t worry; the batter will not seep out through the holes. Put 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) of batter into each cup. We use an ice-cream scoop to do this. Microwave 1 cake at a time for 45 seconds on high power. Remove the cake from the microwave and immediately invert it onto a heatproof tray. Continue to microwave the remaining cakes until they are all cooked. The cakes can be eaten warm, room temperature, or refrigerated. We think they have the best flavor at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days refrigerated inverted.

    Microwave Rocky Road Sponge Cakes Recipe (13)

Special Equipment

Microwave, food processor, stand mixer with whisk attachment, 10-ounce paper cups

Make-Ahead and Storage

The cakes can be stored upside-down in their cups on a plate or tray in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Read More

  • 5 Minute Fudgy Chocolate Microwave Cake
  • Microwave Mocha Mug Cake
  • Chocolate Soufflé
  • Baked Chocolate Mousse Cake
  • Microwave Shortcuts Every Home Cook Should Know
Microwave Rocky Road Sponge Cakes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to a good sponge cake? ›

Tips for moist and fluffy sponge cake
  1. Make sure that the butter you use is not too cold. ...
  2. You want your cake to be pale yellow and fluffy. ...
  3. Cover your tin in baking paper, butter up the sides, top off with butter on the baking paper and bake up wonders, cook. ...
  4. Bake your prepared batter immediately when it is ready.

How to bake cake in microwave step by step? ›

Pour the cake batter into the organised microwave-secure mug. Place the mug inside the microwave and set the cooking time to around 2 to 3 minutes. Start with 2 minutes, after which check the cake. To check if the cake is done, put a toothpick or a knife into the centre of the cake.

How do you bake a cake in a microwave without convection? ›

Is It Necessary to Have a Convection Microwave for Baking? You can prepare a cake in the standard heating mode if your microwave does not include a convection setting. You should use microwave-safe glass cookware instead of a steel rack. It requires approx 5 to 8 minutes to bake a cake at the standard temperature.

What makes a sponge cake heavy? ›

Another possible reason is if the cake was over-baked. This generally causes a sponge to become dry but this can then lead to it being dense and heavy. If you baked it for the recommended time it may mean that your oven is running hot and that the baking time needs to be shortened slightly next time you make it.

What is the best sugar for sponge cakes? ›

Because of this caster sugar is generally the most versatile and preferred of the two when baking – its small granules mixes more easily and dissolve more readily when combined with other ingredients giving biscuits, cakes, pastries etc.

What keeps sponge cake moist? ›

Add Sour Cream

To help prevent a dry, dense cake, let's add a creamy and light wet ingredient. Milk is usually required in a cake recipe to thin out the batter and lighten up the crumb, but sour cream is often overlooked. In addition to milk, add a Tablespoon or 2 of sour cream.

Which mode is best for baking cake in microwave? ›

For baking a cake, the convection mode is typically preferred over the microwave mode.

How long does it take to bake a cake in the microwave? ›

Cook the cake in the microwave for around 3-4 minutes on high power. In the microwave, you can see the cake bubble and puff. The method is comparable to oven baking. Finally, the traditional toothpick test is the best technique to determine if the cake is entirely cooked.

Is it possible to bake a cake in a microwave? ›

To make a cake in the microwave, add your dry ingredients to a large bowl and then mix in your wet ingredients with a hand mixer or spoon. Transfer the cake batter into a shallow microwave safe dish and microwave for 3-4 minutes. Then, check the cake with a toothpick to see if it is done.

What is the difference between baking cake in microwave and oven? ›

Generally, microwaves cook food faster and use less energy, but they are less effective at browning or crisping the exterior of food. Ovens take longer to cook food and use more energy but are better at baking, roasting, and achieving a crispy or browned exterior.

Can we bake cake in Aluminium foil in microwave? ›

Aluminum foil can be safely used in a microwave, but certain guidelines must be followed to prevent damage to the oven. The following describes the proper use of aluminum foil when microwaving: Aluminum foil is sometimes used to shield portions of a food item to prevent overcooking.

Can you really bake in a convection microwave? ›

Traditional microwaves cook food using electromagnetic waves, while convection microwaves have an additional heating element and fan to circulate heat throughout the cavity. Because of this oven-like heating element, you can use a convection microwave to bake, broil or roast smaller portions of your favorite recipes.

Why is my sponge cake not light and fluffy? ›

Make sure that all of the ingredients are at room temperature. If the ingredients are at different temperatures then they may not combine properly and the cake will be dense. If the eggs are stored in the fridge then remove them several hours before using, so they are properly at room temperature.

Why is my sponge cake so flat and hard? ›

If your cake is hard, the problem probably lies in the beating. The butter must be beaten well in the early stages to give the mixture enough air for a light and fluffy texture. To achieve this the butter must be lukewarm and therefore not too hard.

Why do my sponge cakes never rise? ›

Why do cakes not rise? A: No or insufficient raising agent, mixture too stiff, mixture overbeaten or air knocked out, or insufficient whisking (whisked sponge). Too cool an oven.

Why isn't my sponge cake light and fluffy? ›

Over mixing acts on the gluten in flour and will make cakes hard instead of the lovely soft spongy texture we associate with a good cake. Insufficient creaming of sugar and eggs will also make a tight texture because there isn't enough air trapped in the mix to give it a lift.

Is sponge cake better with oil or butter? ›

The high fat content of butter keeps the sponge moist and tender whilst also providing a delicious buttery flavour that you won't get with margarine or oils.

What makes cake spongy and smooth? ›

Baking powder is mixed with the flour. When water is added to this flour to make dough, baking powder undergoes a chemical reaction during which carbon dioxide gas is produced. This carbon dioxide gas gets trapped into the dough and bubbles out which causes the cake to rise making it soft and spongy.

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