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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
This was by far the best mug cake I have tried! I don’t eat chocolate, and the other vanilla mug cakes I tried were not good. This one was perfect! I had to use all vanilla extract since I didn’t have paste, as per your directions. My 1000-watt microwave cooked it perfectly in 2 minutes. Thank you for this recipe!
Loved it! Perfect mini treat for 2! Used the vanilla extract. Stronger microwave and set for 100 seconds as recommended – time was perfect! Mine was a wonderful texture. Made a mini frosting to top it. A new favorite!!
Hello Julie,
I rarely leave comments on blogs, but I felt I should give you some feedback.. I am more of a chocolate person, but I tried a little bite after making it for my hubby. This is so, so good! We both loved it. My microwave tends to cook things quickly, so I appreciated your suggestion to stop and test before the full cooking time is over. It came out perfectly, I am off to make the chocolate version for myself. Thanks so much for creating and sharing this recipe. Definitely a keeper!!
So glad you enjoyed this!
I don’t wanna be one of “those guys” but this was honestly the worst mug cake I’ve ever had. It was spongy, gummy, and thick. Even a healthy amount of frosting didn’t help this out. I followed the instructions exactly, but added 20 seconds after the first 2.10 minutes because it was still wet and undercooked, but was already the same spongy consistency. I don’t know what went wrong.
I didn’t have any milk or butter on hand at the time of my craving, so I tried adding about 1/4 cup of peach yogurt to the mix as an experiment. It actually turned out better than I thought it would. Still a little bit “chewy” but I was pleasantly surprised. Thanks for the recipe!! :)
This mug cake is simply marvelous! Like the name says, it is very moist, and very vanilla. When I make this, I like to whip up a small batch of icing to put on top! Thanks for sharing this recipe! :)
This is so good! I didn’t have the vanilla bean paste or milk, so I doubled the amount of vanilla extract and used some hazelnut creamer that I had on hand. Craving SATISFIED. This gets a A+!
So I’ve made your chocolate mug cake like 4 times in the last month! Delish! Was waiting to find the vanilla bean paste to try this one and found it today (Nielsen-Massey). Can’t WAIT to make this for dessert tonight! Thank you!
Made it and definitely a great go-to quick, easy dessert! Microwaved mine for 100 seconds and came out perfect (not sure what wattage my microwave is). Next time I will try changing it up…possible adding almond extract, cinnamon, or white chocolate. If I HAD to pick one, chocolate or vanilla mug cake, I would pick the chocolate because the nutella center makes it divine….hmmm…maybe add nutella to the vanilla….so many possibilities!
Hey! Just wanted to thank you for this recipe! I tried the chocolate one and even my picky boyfriend loved it! Also, on this recipe I replaced butter for coconut butter and the milk with almond milk and it was still amazing! :D Thanks!
I’ve tried many a mug cake…in all flavors: and this was really REALLY tasty! I added sliced strawberries on top with a little bit of cream; so good!