One Brother and Two Sisters: Marsha's Copy-Cat Warm Delight Hack

A few years ago, Betty Crocker introduced a new product; single serving cake mixes called Warm Delights. They were super simple, easy, and addictive. Basically, with a little water and stirring, plus the magic of the microwave, you could have a warm serving of cake in under a minute. My personal favorite were the brownie mixes, just because I love brownies a bit more than cake, but the cake variety were yummy also. I also liked how it was single serving, so I wasn't committing myself to an entire 13x9 cake for dessert for the next two weeks. I could indulge for one single night and feel good about myself, instead of staring at an empty cake pan filled with regret.

Then, like so many wonderful discoveries in food, Warm Delights were discontinued. Such a sad day!!! But, do not despair! I have found a hack that works almost exactly the same (with the exception of brownies, dang it!) and you can do with any combination of cake mix flavors and toppings. You taste buds are only limited by your imagination. Below, I will provide the basic recipe, followed by several combination suggestions and pictures of a few of my creations. (Let me tell you, it was yummy work to put this post together for you.)

The best part? If you forgo the toppings, a single serving of this cake is only around 160 calories! Without the added oil, eggs, milk, butter, or what-have-you that you need to add to make an entire cake, these single servings only require water and thus fewer calories!

Marsha's Betty Crocker Warm Delights Hack

1/4 cup cake mix
1+ Tbsp. water
Toppings of your choice

In a microwave-safe single serving bowl, combine cake mix and water (plus any additional toppings that you want worked into the cake). Spread evenly on bottom of the bowl. Microwave for approximately 30 seconds or until the batter does not appear wet in any areas larger than a dime. If still wet after 30 seconds, microwave for an addition 5-10 seconds at a time. (This cooks fast and can burn, so be cautious until you know how your microwave cooks these.)

Variations:

yellow cake mix with caramel swirled into the batter
yellow cake mix with white and milk chocolate chips in batter
yellow cake mix with caramel drizzled on top after cooking
red velvet cake mix with white chocolate chips in batter
German chocolate cake mix with peanut butter stuffed chocolate chips mixed in batter and hot fudge drizzled on top before cooking
Funfetti cake mix with white chocolate chips mixed in batter
spice cake mix with cinnamon and white chocolate chips in batter
spice cake mix with apple pie filling placed on top before cooking, topped with whipped cream
Funfetti cake mix topped after cooking with fresh strawberries and whipped cream

As you can see, the possibilities are limitless. I did try to make these with brownie mix as well, but the brownie mix just doesn't come together as nicely. You either end up with it burned, or super runny like a molten pudding cake; not entirely inedible but nothing like the original brownie Warm Delights.

What you need: cake mix, water, and toppings. In this case, it was red velvet and white chips.

All mixed together and wet, ready for the microwave. It's a pretty thin layer and I am using wider that typical bowl for a greater surface area. A normal "cereal bowl" might work as well, but could be thicker and harder to get cooked in the middle. You could also try a mug instead of a bowl.