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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
I made this recipe and I followed it exactly, but it turned out really floury & had a weird texture.
Oh my gosh this cake was the best tasting thing I’ve had all week!! It was so easy to make and was cute with a couple of sprinkles.
Mmmmm oh goooodness!!!!! Soooo yummy!!!!
This was a mediocre rice pudding at best. It did not taste good. It’s way too moist and the milk is excessive. I did not enjoy eating this.
Not too bad. It’s a nice sweet treat, albiet a little doughy(not like raw dough, more like a gooey pancake). I did the 1T vanilla as I didnt have paste. I also used oil instead of butter. I also added a packet of stevia and 1t of cinnamon to the recipe.
I am eating my mug cake right now, and it actually turned out alright! Super fluffy, light, classic sponge cake texture. I didn’t have vanilla bean paste so I just used extra vanilla extract. My only fault was that it wasn’t sweet enough, I definitely added the right amount of sugar but it’s probably just my sweet tooth. I topped it with a scoop of Nutella to compensate :) I will definitely be trying this again with extra sugar. Thank you for this recipe! I loved it :D
this is my go to recipe. however i did change a few things. I only had bisquick so I used tht instead of flour i didnt add the vanilla bean paste I stopped adding the vanilla extract I just put in French Vanilla creamer 2 tbs along with milk 4 tbs . and I add chocolate chips at the end and I put it in thw microwave at 2 min. it comes out delicious . I have been using this recipe for 2 years
I made this rexipe today and it was amazing. Very sponge and delicious, I really recommend it, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the recipee, followed to the T
Dint work for me, well I alwz taste the batter before putting it to bake, & this tasted like flour & I somehow felt may b after microwaving it would definitely acquire the magical taste, but unfortunately ended up with a not at all spongy, bland , grumpy looking cake in the mug which tasted under baked
Could be my fault in the whisking techniques though
Made this during a commercial break and it tastes soooooo good! Thank you so much!!