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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
Kind of iffy for me… There was too much vanilla flavor, it was bitter. Kind of gooey, too. Satisfied cravings, though
Try 1/2 cup of flour, dash of cinnamon. Delicious!
PERFECT! My husband was veeeeery delighted too, when he came home from work and found this waiting for him! I ate it with a bit of coconut yogurt. So delicious!!!
I really don’t understand how people get this to fail… I used vanilla sugar (the pure and natural stuff) and coconut oil iso butter. And it turned out perfectly moist, fluffy and delicious, even when my microwave only has 750 max. Think I cooked it for 3 minuted.
This one definitely is a keeper! Thanks!
It came out rather dense for me when I used just extract, I’m going to try adding a bit of flour and see how it turns out. (It still tasted good though! :P) I also found that adding 1/16 teaspoon lemon extract, it makes it taste a lot better. There’s no discernible lemon flavor added, but it does make a difference.
Do you have a cake version of this?
It was delicious! Although I had to try it three times because my microwave is 800w
No, I don’t. Sorry!
Thr texture is amazing and I can definitely see this one as a layer cake with fruits and frosting in between, super rich vanilla cake!
I love your blog :)
Absolutely amazing. I added a little more flour and vanilla extract and my microwave is 700 watts so I put it in for 2 minutes and about 35 seconds. Then I made a chocolate glaze to go on top and it was perfect :)
This was the most perfect cake ever. I used a 32 ounce mug so I only cooked it for 45 seconds, but it was delicious. Super fluffy and pretty flavorful :)
Love this cake my new fav so yummy and easy thanks for sharing ?
I make this recipe time and time again that I can’t even remember if I’ve written a comment about it! It’s the only mug cake recipe I make. I never have vanilla bean paste so when I do 1 tbsp of vanilla I cut 1 tbsp of milk to balance for the extra liquid. I also stir in sprinkles for confetti cake, and microwave it for 2.5 min because my wattage is lower. I ice it and take it down with a glass of milk. It’s a winner every time!
Did you mean 1/2 to 1 TEASPOONS vanilla extract not tablespoon? Whole cakes don’t even use a tablespoon so I was just curious…
Nope, I meant 1/2 tablespoon of vanilla extract!