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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
Worked perfectly. Subbed cinnamon for the vanilla.
Love this recipe! I am allergic to chocolate. Do you think I could use soymilk instead of the regular milk?
yes, definitely!
My go-to mug cake recipe! I’ve tried many mug cake recipes and this one is my absolute favourite. I don’t usually leave ratings on recipes however I saw the average rating was only 3.7/5 and thought I should help to bring it back up :)
I have now made this recipe twice and it is 5*, as is the chocolate mug cake recipe. I am from the UK and apart from adding 1 Tbsp + half a tsp of vanilla paste, no vanilla extract and 2 minutes in my microwave I did everything exactly as the recipe stated. Everytime I use an egg to make a small mug cake they are never the same. My batter was incorporated but not even lump free. Please follow the measurements exactly.
It is a lie don’t try that recipe it sucks ?????.
Instead of such a blanket statement, could you please elaborate on why it sucks?
Hi. How do make a vanilla lava cake in a mug. And moist gooohee vanilla mug cake. What will happen when I add mayonnaise in a vanilla mug cake. Can a vanilla mud mug cake be baked. I know I can strawberry. Or mint essence or any other flavour instead of vanilla. But is there any other added or extra ingredient I need to add to it. I still want a soft spungy moist mug cake. When I try various flavours.
Even though I accidentally used almond extract instead of vanilla (and added a pinch of cinnamon), the texture turned out beautifully! Will be trying be trying again with vanilla extract. :D
It was very tasty and a fun thing to make for a movie night! The only problem I had with them was that it was rubbery. Other than that it was great! I also added some vanilla yogurt and sliced strawberries after it was done cooking.
This turned out with the same exact texture and flavor of playdoh
Saw this on your IG today and was inspired to try it. I’ve never made a mug cake before and it was delicious! I followed your directions and ingredients exactly as you provided and it’s a yummy quick and easy treat! Thank you!