This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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
I just made it, subbed the sugar for brown sugar, and added some sultanas and vanilla powder – its absolutely delicious! Thank you so much for this recipe best vanilla mug cake ive made so far!
I have now made both mug cake recipes (the chocolate and the vanilla) and they both turned up great! I’m sure they would taste even better with some ice cream or cool whip topping but I didn’t have any. This recipes are the best though. Super easy to make and this coming from someone who is pretty bad at “baking”
Tried replacing the milk with pineapple juice and used brown sugar. It was DELECTABLE! I made two batches and toasted the second :P yum yum yum yum yum :) Excellent with a scoop of cream cheese on top.
I also tried the chocolate version–perfectly moist, tender crumb packed with dark chocolatey flavor. So good!
My rule of thumb for doneness is if the cake starts to separate a bit from the sides of the bowl (i used a small bowl) then it’s cooked through :D
Can i use Gluten free flour? I’ve tried the original recipe n it’s delicious! I’ve probably made it a 100 times lol I also added chocolate chips . Yum! But right now all I have is gluten free flour
I haven’t tried with gluten free flour but you can certainly try and see!
This recipe was DELICIOUS!!!
I usually never make mug cakes because they always turn out really disgusting, but this recipe made me so happy because the cake was not like the other recipes I have tried before. This cake was super moist and fluffy, and was even good without anything on it! I followed the recipe perfectly, even though I didn’t have any vanilla bean paste. Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe, I’ll use it a lot in the future!
I’ve been so disappointed with mug cake recipes in the past, so when I tried yours, I was so shocked to see that it actually turned out way delish, all while following the recipe to a T! I added some rainbow sprinkles because I’m a child at heart like that, and my mouth was in heaven! I always come back to this mug cake recipe whenever I need my sugar fix!
Best mug cake I have tried by a long shot! I cheated and used self-rising flour instead of all-purpose, then eliminated the salt and baking powder. I also used turbinado sugar for some added flavor. The flour substitute made a super easy recipe even easier!!! It looked just like the pic.
Second round, I left out the vanilla and melted a dollop of pnut butter with the butter. When the cake was done and piping hot, we drizzled with Hershey’s syrup. Absolutely divine. Very unlike any other microwave mug cake I’ve made. So glad I found this site!!! Thank you for the awesome recipe!
Best mug cake by far! I used maple syrup instead of sugar which just made it more vanillery and amazing.
I love all of your recipes they are so good you should try a mochi I would love to see how to make it
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll think about it :)
I substituted chocolate & peanut butter powder instead of vanilla bean paste. It was delicious.