A portable heating apparatus includes a top layer and a bottom layer connected to the top layer to form a cavity. An electric heating element is disposed within the cavity, and a temperature-retaining component, such as a gel layer, is affixed within the cavity adjacent to the electric heating element and adjacent to the top layer. A power cord is in electrical communication with the electric heating element and connectable to a power source to provide power to the electric heating element, the power cord detachable from the portable heating apparatus. The temperature-retaining component is capable of retaining heat generated by the electric heating element and creating a generally uniform distribution of heat across the top layer.
