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A vanilla mug cake is the perfect fix when you are craving a simple cake but not necessarily the whole shebang of making a full cake. This single serving vanilla mug cake is just as easy to make as my chocolate mug cake; equally light and fluffy, and still has no eggs and fully customizable!
The Very Best Vanilla Mug Cake
If you have been hanging around the blog for a few years now, you’ll know that my original chocolate mug cake that started the whole mug cake trend has been a hit. I recognize, though, that not everyone is a fan of chocolate. If I’m being honest, that’s quite shocking to me but, I aim to please, so if you are a vanilla lover, here is the vanilla mug cake!
Over the years, 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! They are popular because they’re easy to make, egg-free, and a single-serving. When you are craving cake, you don’t have to whip out all your baking equipment, let alone bake an entire cake. A mug cake is a great alternative to nip that craving in the bud!
Vanilla Mug Cake Variations
Vanilla cake in a mug is the perfect base for your favorite add-ins. Here are some ideas:
- Sprinkles (I suggest using Jimmie sprinkles as the nonpareils will bleed color into your batter)
- Chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, you get the jist!
- Mix in some jam for a fruity surprise!
- Add in some leftover candy like chopped up Reese’s peanut butter cups or a Snickers bar.
- Crush up cookies like Nilla Wafers or Oreo cookies and mix them into the batter.
- Use a nut butter or substitute of choice. Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, etc.!
- Top it off with some whipped cream or ice cream!
Important Vanilla Mug Cake Tips
- Use a microwave-safe mug! This is so important. You don’t want anything shattering in the microwave. Additionally, make sure it holds at least 16 ounces.
- Place the mug on a paper towel just in case it bubbles or spills over. It would make clean up a lot easier.
- Microwave wattages vary thus cook time will vary. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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, and knowing texture and taste may be off, I say go for it.
No, this was solely developed for the microwave. I have had readers who have baked this but I honestly do not recall how it turned out and/or what temperature or time.
Other Mug Cake Flavors
Very Vanilla Mug Cake
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (31 g) + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup (59 ml) + 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.1/4 cup (31 g) + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/8 teaspoon salt
- In a measuring cup, whisk together milk, vanilla bean paste, and vanilla extract.1/4 cup (59 ml) + 2 tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, 1/2 tablespoon 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.2 tablespoons unsalted 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!
Notes
Nutrition
Photographs by Eat Love Eat
After drooling at the photo and even getting vanilla paste, mine turned out a doughy mess : (
Must be the microwave.
Oh my, this is just heavenly!!! The first time I made it, I followed the recipe to the letter and it was fantastic!! Perfect for those late night cravings, and can be whipped up in just a few minutes. I’ve added different ingredients, and at the moment I’m eating 1 flavored with cinnamon and almond extract (I omitted the vanilla bean paste, everything else is the same). Sooo delicious! Totally reminds me of a cupcake, so glad I found this! Thank you!!
Oh. my. goodness. This was delicious! I tried the chocolate one the other night and it was good but I think the vanilla one was even better! Thank you!
Made a matcha mug cake by adding 1 1/2 tsp. of matcha, a bit more sugar and some dark chocolate chips. It was great! Thanks for this.
Hi Julie
If I used butter instead do you know how much butter I would have to put in instead of the oil?
There is no oil in this recipe. The recipe above calls for 2 tbsp. butter..
I made this and used the full tablespoon of Vanilla, put an extra tablespoon of sugar and butter, and put in a Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Packet. Your chocolate version is good. But I think the chocolate version I made up from this vanilla one tasted better. The butter instead of the vegetable oil in your version I think helps. Just wanted to share this little version of your amazing mug cake. Thank you!
Read the blog, went to the kitchen and am enjoying it very much. Thanks for sharing ni will try the chocolate one as well. But not today
I put a Lindt Lindor White Chocolate Truffle in the middle of it and it was the best mug cake ever! Even without the truffle it is the best mug cake I’ve had, but white chocolate in it of any kind is super good!
By far the best mug cake ever! It took much less time in the microwave for me. Thanks!
Hi Julie, This was good! I actually prepacked this for daughter for college and gave her a mug to put it in! She loves to bake. She lo and mi
*loved it*? o.O
Hello :)
You said you prepacksd it for your daughter and gave her a mug to put it in. Did you make the batter up for her or did she make it up herself? I was just wondering if the batter could be pre made and then stored in the fridge for a while to use when wanted? I’m disabled and it’s hard for me to make it up everytime I want it :/