The Moistest Very Vanilla Mug Cake
The vanilla version to my chocolate mug cake is this very vanilla mug cake! It’s just as easy to make as her chocolate friend and just as light and fluffy! Still has no eggs and fully customizable!
A very vanilla mug cake to rule the land!
If you have been hanging around the blog for a few years now, you’ll know that my chocolate mug cake has been such a hit.
But not everyone is a fan of chocolate, which is quite shocking.
That’s always the age-old question, right? “Chocolate or vanilla?”
So if you are a vanilla lover, here is the vanilla mug cake version of the chocolate mug cake!
Honestly, several of people asked for one and honestly, it wasn’t a bad idea.
It’s like having chocolate and vanilla ice cream flavors to choose from.
Sometimes you’re wanting chocolate, some days you’re wanting vanilla. Same deal for mug cakes, right?
What is a mug cake?
I still seem to get this question a lot and a mug cake is literally as it sounds. A cake that is made in a mug!
It’s great because you don’t need to whip out a bunch of tools to make this simple mug cake.
This vanilla mug cake is made without eggs. Why?
Okay, I get asked this a lot too and the reason why this mug cake is made without any eggs is because that is what makes it have a spongey texture!
If you think about it, it makes sense. Why would you put an entire egg into a mug cake when a regular full-sized cake often asks for one or two eggs?
This isn’t a full-sized cake. And of course I’m not going to ask you to divide an egg in half.
Just omit it! Best texture, ever!
Can I make this with self-raising flour?
You can, but I tested it with self-raising flour and it just came out spongey and not the texture I wanted.
I like my cakes light, fluffy, and moist and with the self-raising flour, it just didn’t yield the results I wanted.
There have been many people who have used self-raising flour in this recipe and didn’t notice a difference so if you’re up for the challenge, I say go for it.
Can this mug cake be made in the oven?
No, this was solely developed for the microwave. I have had readers who have baked this but I honestly recall how it turned out and/or what temperature or time.
What is different about this vanilla mug cake vs. your chocolate mug cake?
Well, for one, the most obvious: this is vanilla, not chocolate!
Additionally, this mug cake takes slightly longer to “bake” since the batter is thicker than the chocolate mug cake one.
Also, this vanilla version is easier to be built upon (or at least I think so) – add chocolate chips to it, a dollop of peanut butter, a dollop of nutella, anything!
I mean, what you can put on a cupcake, I’m sure you could put in this :)
If you love mug cakes, you may like these different variations on my vanilla mug cake:
This is basically vanilla cake in a mug! Grab your mug and get the recipe below!
A light and fluffy vanilla version of my famous chocolate mug cake!
- 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.
- In a measuring cup, whisk together milk, vanilla bean paste, and vanilla extract.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients then pour the milk mixture into the center, followed by the melted butter.
- Whisk until no lumps remain and batter is smooth and well combined.
- Pour into a 16-ounce microwave-safe mug.
- Microwave on high for 130 seconds or 2 minutes and 10 seconds.
- Carefully remove and enjoy!
Please note that ALL microwaves are different therefore can yield different results and can overcook this mug cake if you aren’t careful. My microwave is 950 watts and I cooked mine on 100% power for 130 seconds. Knowing this information, it may help you better judge how long to cook yours for and at what power.
Remember, 130 seconds is 2 minutes and 10 seconds. It is quite long if your microwave is a higher wattage than mine; therefore, could OVERCOOK your mug cake. To play it safe, if your microwave wattage is higher than mine, I would try 100 seconds first and then increment it by 10 seconds until it's fully cooked through.
Note about the vanilla bean paste: if you do not have vanilla bean paste on hand, that is ok. You just won't have the vanilla bean specks in your cake. If you're omitting the vanilla bean paste (ONLY if you're omitting the vanilla bean paste), use 1 tbsp. of vanilla extract instead of 1/2 tbsp. I do highly suggest the vanilla bean paste, though, because it gives it a deeper vanilla fragrance and taste!
*Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate.
Posted on March 04, 2014
OKay, that’s it – I’m trying this ASAP!! Julie you’re a mug cake genius!
Gina tried it last night already..snuck her the recipe early. She said it was amazing! :)
I added a Tablespoon of biscoff to the vanilla mug cake…yummy!
This is awesome. Thanks! My dad loves this. He’s such a purist I didn’t think he would like it but he loved it!
You know I’m more of a vanilla girl so I’m super excited to try this!
The mug cake chronicles continue!! I love this kick you are on Julie :) And I”m all for adding chocolate chips AND PB. Out of control!
This looks incredible!!
I have to say, this is the quickest cake recipe I have ever seen! It’s surely a nice way to satisfy your craving for those sweet moist cakes.
This is so great Julie! Saw this picture on Instagram yesterday and was hoping you would be posting it soon. Can’t beat a cake that can be made in 2 minutes!
You are amazing! I love these little desserts! Quick, easy and delicious! I can’t wait to try this one!
I just wanna snuggle into that mug with all that vanilla goodness.
Those flecks of vanilla bean are incredible, what a great cake!
That top photo was all it took to convince me!
What is VANILLA BEAN PASTE AND WHERE DOMYOUNGET IT?
Thanks for,posting this looks,great.
Diane
Goodness gracious, I want to dive right into that mug!
Wow! This is very clever a 1 cup, 1 person cake. Love the vanilla bean specks flecked throughout.
Vanilla happens to be my most favorite with everything! This cake in a mug is genius…. looking so super moist!
is it wrong I would eat this for breakfast? because I totally would and I don’t even care how shameful that is lol
I love all the vanilla bean specks! I can practically smell it through the computer and can’t wait to try it in real life!
Can’t wait for you to try!!
I want this so bad, looks amazing! :)
Because eating an entire tray of brownies only “sounds” like a good idea once a month.
Drooling. Pinned!
Oh my, i need this right now!
I’m totally loving this vanilla mug cake recipe, Julie! When you posted your chocolate mug cake, I thought of a vanilla or yellow cake one. I’m so glad you developed this recipe, now I don’t have to. LOL! Cannot wait to make this for a treat. Gorgeous photography as always, my friend. Thanks for sharing. Will be pinning to group boards tonight! xo
I made this tonight. When I pulled it out of the microwave, I added a spoonful of Biscoff! It melted and was a great addition!
Sounds delicious! I’m glad you enjoyed this!
Once a week I think to myself “You deserve some cake!”. Thanks in advance!
Mine is in the microwave now. I can’t wait!
I love the vanilla bean specs!! So amazing!
This looks fantastic Julie! Is it bad that I’m craving it for breakfast? :-)
Oooo, can’t wait to try this!!! Mmm!
Love the vanilla version!
Usually I am 100% on the chocolate side of the fence, but I love real vanilla beans. This looks very dangerous :)
Love this girl! Anything to get a dessert in my belly faster is a win for me!
I love that I can make this in a few short minutes and making a vanilla mug cake is a wonderful idea!
I feel like i need to go out this very second and buy a microwave for this cake. I want it now! looks so delicious.
This cake looks so good!
Can you sub almond milk here? It’s the only thing we always have, we’re not a big milk house, but I want this cake SO BAD! :)
Hi Cianna, I’m not sure what almond milk would do to the texture of the cake. You’re certainly welcome to try, though.
I subbed coconut milk – the real deal, not thickened or sweetened – and it turned out perfectly.
Oh I have got to have this today!
i like the idea of making one each and alternately eat them with a scoop of icecream :)
I think I might make this tonight. I’m feeling under the weather today and this would make me happy! Vanilla cake is my favorite, Julie!
I like the idea of eating both cakes at one time… who needs to choose? :-)
SO trying this!
Made this tonight and HOLY SMOKES IT IS AMAZINGGGGG. Just got vanilla bean paste and this was the first recipe I tried. Tossed in a few blueberries and topped it with ice cream. I think this could end up being very, very dangerous…
Yay!!! So glad you loved this, Erin!!
oh my gawd, I love you Julie. . but now we’re all going to gain an extra 5 lbs. . being able to have cake within minutes. . or seconds! Awesome!
Oh how I want to dive into this! Pinned :)
I must have this mug cake right now! Pinning!
I’ve never made mug cake before but this is going to be the one I try!
Hope you love it!
I’ve actually tried your chocolate version several times and it is really, really good! I’m happy to see you made vanilla one! I’ll give this a try very soon. It’s a perfect quick dessert after dinner and kids love it!
Thanks, Nami! I’m so glad you’ve tried the chocolate version :)
With those ample vanilla bean specks, you completely convinced me to make this mug cake every single night of the week!
I didn’t have a mug so I used my Fiestaware bowl, it was a perfect fit! Threw on some chocolate chips to melt for frosting and it is so delicious!
Thank you!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Amy!
Awesome mini cake! Made it with a gluten-free flour mix I have and it came out pretty good. A little on the chewy side (more like pancake texture) but extremely tasty nonetheless. Also added some cinnamon and nutmeg for flavour. Definitely going to try chocolate chips and maybe some peanut butter for part of the butter next time.
Glad you enjoyed and successfully used a different type of flour for this!
This is amazing! Ive never had such a good mug cake! Dear lord this is a dangerous discovery XD My taste buds thank you but my hips certainly wont!
I added a scoop of cookie butter to my warm mug and it was DELICIOUS!
That sounds awesome, Koko!! So glad you enjoyed it!