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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
At the top, you said, “THE MOISTEST VERY VANILLA CAKE”. Just letting you know.
Thanks for the note. I don’t see where you are talking about?
Would it be possible for you to do the recipe without vanilla bean paste since the majority of people won’t have it? Thanks.
You can just substitute out the vanilla bean paste for vanilla extract and use this same exact recipe.
After reading the comments, I was scared to try and make this cake but honestly, it was one of the tastiest cakes I have ever had in a mug. So moist and dense. (Little tip: add some cinnamon to the batter, makes it taste like a churro!)
Hi! I added half ripe banana instead of butter and it turned out really good!
I really like this mug cake recipe. I use it all the time whenever I’m in the mood for a sweet cake. Since the serving is typically too much for me, I half the recipe and it tastes good. The only complaint is that last time I made this cake, it was spongy and dense like other cake recipes. A few days later, I noticed our milk was bad, but I don’t think this was the case. So if this cake does become spongey, I recommend trying the recipe again because 9/10 time I use this recipe, it turns out amazing.
it was VERY moist
it was satisfying but
i have to say it was not the best
but nicely attempted
went with 1/2 cup flour and added matcha powder… definitely needed more sugar to balance the matcha. I thought it had a great texture I cooked it for 90 secs my microwave is 1000watts. I can only imagine how great it tastes with vanilla bean paste
Mine tasted more like a pancake than an actual cake. I think I needed more sugar. I just poured more syrup on mine and embraced it. Haha!
This cake was disgusting. ?
After a ton of mug cake fail recipes I stumbled upon this… It looked so good I couldn’t help but try it. And thank goodness I did because it was delicious. By far the best cake I’ve ever made in the microwave. This cake has the actual texture of cake, not the rubbery texture of most mug desserts. I’m usually not a vanilla cake person so I added some chocolate chips in with the batter and it was perfect and super quick! Thanks!!