3-Layer Cake In the Microwave

No one will believe you made a from-scratch 3-layer cake in the microwave in 10 minutes.

By
Mark Beahm
Mark Beahm
Mark Beahm
Mark is the head baker at Hjem Kensington, a Danish café in London. He has been developing recipes for home bakers for the last two years.
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Published February 21, 2023
Mark Beahm
3-Layer Cake In the Microwave Cut into Slices

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

If you love to bake but don’t have access to an oven, worry not, because you can make a cake in the microwave. I’m not talking single-serving mug cakes either; I mean a homemade 3-tier cake with frosting. With just a microwave, not only does it take just 10 minutes, but the cake will be fluffy and airy.

This recipe is for all you passionate bakers living in a college dorm, in kitchens without ovens, or just traveling without access to a proper kitchen. It's a simple but delicious, from-scratch vanilla cake with vanilla frosting that's as good as any other vanilla cake recipe. It is light-textured, full of vanilla flavor, and impressively tall. No one will believe you if you tell them it was “baked” in the microwave.

Yes, You Can Microwave Cake. Here’s How It Works

Microwaves function in a drastically different way from ovens. They use radiant micro-waves that penetrate beyond just the surface of the food and can heat incredibly fast. Each cake layer takes only 3 minutes and 15 seconds in a 1000-watt microwave. Of course, the cook time will vary depending on your microwave’s wattage.

Because microwaves are so unique, you can’t use just any cake recipe. This recipe has been designed specifically to work for this cooking technique. Because microwaving essentially steams the cake, it requires extra moisture in the batter, so this one is looser than standard cake recipes. To ensure a fluffy cake, it also calls for fewer eggs, as too many would make the cake taste like an omelet.

Cross-Section of a 3-Layer Microwave Cake

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Essential Tips for Microwaving Cake

Here are some essential tips for your microwave cake adventure:

  • Use a microwave-safe silicone mold. Do not use a metal cake pan in the microwave.
  • You don’t need to grease silicone bakeware, but you can if you want to be completely sure and want extra easy washing later.
  • Double-check your microwave's wattage and adjust the cooking time up or down. I used a 1,000-watt microwave and cooked each cake for 3 minutes 15 seconds. Add or subtract 15 seconds depending on the power of your microwave.
  • The cake is done when there are no longer any wet spots of batter. The cake should spring back when gently poked in the center with a finger. The toothpick test works for microwave cakes too.

How to Frost a Cake

Even if you don’t have a full baking setup with a turntable, offset spatula, and piping set, you can still frost a beautiful cake.

  • It is possible to make the buttercream frosting without a mixer using a whisk and some elbow grease. I did it several times in my college apartment days. But if you have access to a mixer or can borrow one, you'll definitely want to use it.
  • Let the cakes cool completely before frosting. Otherwise, the frosting will melt, and your layers will slide around. 
  • If you don’t have an offset spatula, you can use a spoon, a large butter knife, or the straight edge of a rubber spatula to frost the cake.
  • Don't worry about getting pristine, smooth edges. Decorate with swirls and swoops, and add some sprinkles or candy.
Slice of 3-Layer Microwave Cake with More Cake in the Background

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

More Microwave Treats

3-Layer Cake In the Microwave

Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Servings 16 servings

Ingredients

For the cake layers

  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

  • 2 cups (400g) sugar

  • 2 large eggs

  • 2 cups (480ml) whole milk

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

  • 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the buttercream frosting

  • 1 1/2 cups (341g) unsalted butter, at room temperature

  • 6 cups (680g) powdered sugar

  • 1/3 cup (80ml) whole milk

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • Rainbow sprinkles, for decorating

Method

  1. Combine the wet ingredients: 

    In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.

    Wet Ingredients Whisked Together in a Bowl for 3-Layer Microwave Cake Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
  2. Add the dry ingredients:

    Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and fold with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. The batter will be slightly loose.

    Dry Ingredients Added to Bowl of Wet Ingredients for 3-Layer Cake In the Microwave Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
    Vanilla Microwave Cake Batter in a Bowl with a Spatula

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
  3. Cook:

    Divide the batter equally into three 8-inch round silicone cake pans, roughly 2 cups of batter per pan. You don’t need to grease the silicone pans. Cook in the microwave on full power, one layer at a time, for 3 minutes and 15 seconds. The cake should spring back when gently poked in the center, and the edges will pull away slightly from the side of the pan.

    Simple Tip!

    This recipe was developed for a 1,000-watt microwave. You may need to add or subtract 15 seconds depending on the power of your microwave.

    Batter for Cake In the Microwave Recipe Poured into Three Round Silicone Baking Pans

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
    One Layer Baking in the Microwave for Layered Microwave Cake Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
    Pan of Baked Cake in the Microwave

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
  4. Cool:

    Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then carefully turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

    Baking Pan Cooling on a Wire Rack for Microwaved Cake Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
  5. Make the frosting:

    In a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth and satiny, about 2 minutes. Add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract and continue beating on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

    Butter Whisked in a Stand Mixing Bowl for Vanilla Cake Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
    Bowl of Frosting After the Rest of the Icing Ingredients Were Whisked in for 3-Layer Cake In the Microwave

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
  6. Assemble the cake:

    To assemble, place one of the cake layers on a large serving plate. Use an offset spatula or a butter knife to spread a thick layer of frosting, about 1 cup, evenly over the layer. Repeat with the remaining cake layers. Check that the cake layers are centered and that the top of the cake is level. Gently adjust accordingly.

  7. Frost the cake:

    Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake in a thick, even layer. Use the offset spatula, a large spoon, or the back of a butter knife to smooth or decorate the sides. Decorate with sprinkles, if you’d like.

    The cake will keep for up to 4 days, covered, or in a cake saver, on the counter. Save cake slices on a plate covered with plastic wrap for up to 4 days. 

    When storing leftover cake with slices missing, I like to cover the exposed cake layers with a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper to prevent them from drying out.

    Did you love the recipe? Leave us stars below!

    3-Layer Cake In the Microwave Assembled with Layers of Cake and Frosting on a Parchment Paper Lined Wooden Plate

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
    Spoon Used to Decorate the Exterior of 3-Layer Cake In the Microwave

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
    3-Layer Cake In the Microwave Covered in Frosting

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
    Rainbow Sprinkles Added to the Top Perimeter of 3-Layer Microwave Cake Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
    How to Make Microwave Cake

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
634 Calories
31g Fat
87g Carbs
5g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories 634
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 31g 40%
Saturated Fat 19g 94%
Cholesterol 103mg 34%
Sodium 196mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 87g 32%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 69g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 91mg 7%
Iron 1mg 7%
Potassium 92mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.