After two days of Super Bowl coverage, it’s time to celebrate my second-favorite holiday: Valentine’s Day. This DIY project is what I call “Cake in a Cup” Valentines. I first spotted a simple mug cake recipe that promises a rich chocolate cake for one in under a minute using powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and a single egg. Skeptical at first, I tried it — and it was delicious. I originally packaged the dry ingredients as holiday gifts, but they make even better Valentines. These printable, edible Valentines are perfect whether someone has a Valentine or not; everyone can use a little chocolate cake, and being single means more cake for you!
Supply list:
- Printable card templates (2 per page)
- Printable recipe & ingredient labels (8 per page)
- White card stock
- 8.5 x 11 adhesive inkjet fabric sheets or adhesive inkjet paper sheets
- Cocoa powder (about 2 tbsp per packet)
- Powdered sugar (about 1/4 cup per packet)
- 4 x 3 inch plastic zip bags
- Washi tape
- X-acto knife and ruler, or scissors
To make the Valentines:
1. Print the card templates on card stock and the recipe templates on your adhesive fabric or paper sheets. Fabric sheets give a nice texture, but adhesive paper works well too. Cut out the cards and recipe labels along the cutting lines. If you prefer, include the ingredient/allergy list on the back for safety.
2. Peel the backing off the recipe label and adhere it to one side of the zip bag. If you included an ingredient list, stick that to the reverse side of the bag.
3. Measure and fill each bag with 1/4 cup powdered sugar, using a small spoon to avoid spills. Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to each bag and seal the packet.
4. Cut a piece of washi tape to the desired length. Center the sealed ingredient packet on your card and secure it with the washi tape just above the zipper.
5. Add a short personal message on the card, and your edible Valentine is ready. For toppings, peanut butter cups are my favorite, but sprinkles, candy hearts, chocolate chips, or caramel sauce all work well. Let recipients get creative when they prepare their mug cake.
All photos by Jeff Mindell Photography
If you missed the templates, download the card printables and recipe labels from the original sources provided with this project. These printables make assembling a batch of Cake in a Cup Valentines fast and fun, perfect for classrooms, coworkers, or anyone who deserves a little chocolate treat this Valentine’s Day.
Looking for more free printables? Check the Free DIY Downloads section on the original site for additional templates and ideas.