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
Just wanted to say I’ve been using the chocolate and vanilla mug cake recipes for at least 2 years now and I love them! Even after having the many packages and easy to make cakes for one these are still my favorite even with the work of putting it all together. I’m looking forward to trying with vanilla bean paste soon instead of just extract. My favorites are adding chocolate chips instead of Nutella to the chocolate and sometimes adding them to the vanilla. Thanks so much for sharing these!!!
I’m going to try this recipe today. I expect it comes out as well as everyone else’s appears to have. I’m very excited. I’ll keep you posted!
This is hands down the best mug cake I’ve ever tried!! As long as you are careful not to over cook it, the texture is amazing, seriously better than some cakes I’ve had from an oven. Great recipe!
Trying right now! Added cinnamon, clove, ginger, and cardamom for a sort of chai take. Tastes lovely
I doubled it, added s dolop of Nutella in the middle, cooked it drizzled it with maple syrup and topped it with fresh berries! Delish!! Definitely make again!
EASY I SPRINKLED MINE WITH CINNAMON AND A DRIZZLE OF MAPLE SYRUP
Very good and tasty
I have tried this recipe only once and my first try it turned out rubbery even though I followed the directions exactly. It seems the timing of 130 seconds was too long for the 950 watt microwave that I used I will adjust the timing the next time I make it to 70 seconds and hope that it turns out perfect. I really love the chocolate mug cake recipe, which has turned out perfect every time I have made it. Also for those who would like to make the the chocolate mug cake vegan I substituted milk for a Flax Drink that I love and it did not change anything.
Thanks for fab mug cakes. I made 4 x chocolate this morning. Found if I lined mug with cling film, cakes turned out perfectly every time. Generous enough to cut in half and eat one part later!
I just made this and it was wonderful. I didn’t have the bean paste so I just left it out. I sprinkled just a dash of cinnamon. It was perfect just as is. Best mug cake I’ve ever made and it really was super moist.
Sameee it was sooo good and I didn’t have the bean paste and I make it over and over now
Yes! On my first attempt it turned out perfectly! I didn’t add cinnamon instead of the paste, I just left it out completely and it was still so moist and delicious!
How much cinnamon?
T was very delicious
I love cinnamon so I put a ton and it didn’t come out too strong at all. It was perfect.