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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
My fiancé absolutely loved it we both gave up chocolate for lent recipe was perfect!! We topped ours with watermelon sherbet and it was perfect
I cooked the mug cake in the microwave for two minutes and ten seconds and my microwave burst into flames, my mug was transformed into a pile of ash, and the stench is awful. I am very disappointed.
Im not saying your lying or anything but your microwave shouldn’t have burst into flames…Did you put something metal in your microwave (spoon, utensil etc.)? Your microwave could have been faulty/broken.
(I also subbed coconut milk to make it vegan!)
I LOVED this. Used coconut oil instead of the butter. Great recipe…have to admit, I loved it so much I had two mugs! #Piggie :))
I’m sorry to sound like a “hater” but this cake was terrible. In case anyone else has a late night craving and takes out all the ingredients for this hot cup of playdoh. Literally it looked, and tasted like hot, slightly sweet, playdoh. Sorry, not the “cake” for me.
Thanks for this recipe. I wondered if it would be okay to omit the vanilla bean paste for nutella, as I want to achieve a nutella mug cake. Thank you
You should use the chocolate mug cake recipe instead, here is the recipe: https://www.tablefortwoblog.com/the-moistest-chocolate-mug-cake/ – it uses nutella :)
I made this tonight and it was wonderful! We didn’t have vanilla bean paste so I used homemade vanilla sugar for the sugar. I doubled the recipe and cooked it in a bowl so there would be enough for my husband, myself and our 3 yo. My 3 yo usually just eats the ice cream from around the cake when we have cake but with this vanilla cake he ate the cake and said it was yummy! So it’s a winner :) Thank you for the lovely recipe.
Can i use extra vanilla essence rather than the vanilla bean paste because we do not get it where we live ?!
Sure!
I don’t want to sound rude but cupcake mugs are supposed to be easy to make and kind of effortless. Like if you’re in rush or just have a craving for something sweet and you want it done fast.
Everything is supposed to be made in the cup that goes directly into the microwave. I just think that this is not the proper recipe for that. Tbh idk if that made any sanse but yeah…..
I know numerous people have made this mug cake directly in the mug..mixing everything together in the mug. If you don’t want to dirty an extra bowl or whisk for the batter, then by all means, feel free to mix everything in the mug! :)
Not only did I mix everything in the cup, I didn’t even bother melting the butter first. I just added softened butter. I also added fresh blueberries. It was perfectly delicious.
I think I just broke my tooth. You can pay my dental bills ??????
Oh man, oh man!! I made this twice in a ROW – I couldn’t get enough!! This will be my go-to mug ake. Thanks Julie!