The Best Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe you will ever find!This simple mug cake is the fastest way to make dessert for one. Light and fluffy cake full of vanilla flavor and ready in less than 5 minutes.
Try topping your mug cake with strawberry whipped cream, no-churn ice cream, or raspberry sauce!
RECIPE FEATURES
- Quick and Easy- This recipe is ready in under five minutes.
- Single Serve Dessert- Which means you don’t have to share!
- Easy to Customize- See ideas below for more inspiration!
It is no secret that vanilla is one of my favorite flavors. We make my Starbucks sweet cream recipe almost daily and readers rave over my vanilla granola recipe. So it only made sense that I would create a microwave vanilla mug cake to add to the collection! It takes me less than five minutes to make, tastes incredible, and is about to become your go-to treat. You won’t even be able to tell it was cooked in the microwave.
Side note, this recipe is VERY close to my tried and true vanilla cupcakes from scratch. You almost can’t even tell a difference!
VANILLA MUG CAKE WITHOUT EGG
This is what I like to call a life-changing recipe. It is so stinken simple to make and uses mostly kitchen items you already have on hand! If you love cake like I do, you HAVE to try this recipe. Here is a quick look at what you will need:
- Flour: All-purpose or self-rising flour will work best. If you opt for the later be sure to adjust the baking powder as needed.
- Granulated Sugar: Just a touch to give your cake that added sweet finish.
- Baking Powder: Be sure to double check the expiration date. Leavening agents tend to sit in the pantry far too long and start to go bad. Pick up a fresh box if you aren’t sure how long you have had it open.
- Milk: Stick with 2% milk or higher. Low fat milk won’t give you quite the same texture.
- Butter: Ok, so technically you can substitute this for oil or applesauce. Will it work? Yes. Should you do it? In my opinion, no. Butter is key with cakes and gives you that perfectly fluffy and moist texture we’re looking for.
- Vanilla extract: Always opt for pure vanilla and not it’s imitation cousin. Imitation vanilla will leave a chemicals aftertaste.
SUBSTITUTION IDEAS
This is such a forgiving cake recipe. We’ve made it about a dozen times and tried a few substitutions. Here are some ideas that might work for you!
- Lower the amount of sugar from two tablespoons to one for a less sweet cake.
- Substitute nut milk or soy milk for a dairy free mug cake.
- You can also substitute the butter for a flavorless oil like coconut or avocado or applesauce.
- For larger mugs, or for sharing, you can easily double this recipe.
- Don’t forget to try other flavors like my Snickerdoodle Mug Cake or my son’s favorite Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake!
HOW TO MAKE VANILLA CAKE IN THE MICROWAVE
- Mist the inside of your mug with cooking spray to help keep the cake from sticking to the sides.
- Add the flour, sugar, and baking powder to your mug. Gently whisk with a fork until combined, roughly 30 seconds.
- Add the milk, melted butter (or oil), and vanilla extract. Stir with the fork to fully incorporate, making sure to get the bottom of the cup.
- Microwave 45 seconds to 2 minutes, or until the cake has cooked fully.
- Serve plain, with frosting, or topped with a scoop of ice cream.
HELPFUL RECIPE TIPS
- This recipe will not require a large mug, however if you decide to double the recipe keep a close eye as it will rise over the top of your glass.
- Swap the sprinkles for chocolate chips for a fun twist.
- Serve topped with fresh berries and whipped cream (my favorite) for a quick treat.
- This recipe is not oven safe. Please do not try to bake this recipe.
- If your cake does not rise, be sure to check the expiration date of the baking powder and make sure it hasn’t passed.
What is a mug cake?
I get this question a lot and thought it might be a good one to answer! Mug cakes are individual serving sized cakes that are made entirely inside of a mug! In this case, it is cooked in the microwave making it a super speedy treat idea.
Why is my cake chewy?
This mug cake should not be chewy. After cooking you should have a light cake that is just slightly denser than the real thing. IF your cake is chewy the result is most likely due to overcooking.
Each microwave will be different due to the different wattages. They range from 600 to 1200 which means your microwave could take a little longer or cook quicker. My microwave is 950 watts and it takes me 45 seconds to 1 minute to cook this cake.
MORE TASTY MUG RECIPES TO TRY
- Gooey Chocolate Mug Cake
- Chocolate Chip Muffin in a Mug
- Nutella Mug Cake Recipe
- Mug Brownie Recipe – 2-Ingredients!
- Oreo Mug Cake
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Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1-1/2 tablespoons butter melted, or oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Mist the inside of your mug with cooking spray to help keep the cake from sticking to the sides.
- Add the flour, sugar, and baking powder to your mug. Gently whisk with a fork until combined, roughly 30 seconds.
- Add the milk, melted butter (or oil), and vanilla extract. Stir with the fork to fully incorporate, making sure to get the bottom of the cup.
- Stir in sprinkles if using.
- Microwave 45 seconds to 2 minutes, or until the cake has cooked fully.
- Serve plain, with frosting, or topped with a scoop of ice cream.
Notes
Equipment
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Comments & Reviews
Joanna(fake name) says
Please add the amount of each ingredient, I tried it and my cake exploded.
Jesseca says
You can find the measurements of each ingredient in the recipe card. If you’d looking for metric, it has those conversions as well. Simply click “metric” above the recipe ingredients.
Joanna says
Thank you, I tried it again, tastes really good! 😁
Jesseca says
I’m so glad this worked out!
Lilli says
I’m not sure why, but mine turned out bitter with a weird texture. Could it have been because I used almond milk maybe? All other vanilla mug cake recipes also turn out like this.
Jesseca says
Hi Lilli. I have almond milk in my fridge and went ahead and tested this theory. You’re correct. It did have a bitter finish. I did some digging and found that if a recipe involves baking soda or baking powder, almond milk produces a less satisfying rise and there’s a bitter aftertaste. It’s best to use a soy milk, or coconut milk if you are allergic to soy, for a less bitter and fluffier cake.
Mauriana Cochran says
really easy to make and tasted great.
Jesseca says
Thank you for the kind words, Maurina. This is a go-to for us when we need something sweet fast. I’m so glad you enjoyed it as well.
Nikolina lukic says
Tasty
Carolyn Kemery says
Could you put cocoa in it for a chocolate cake?
Jesseca says
Hi Carolyn, here is a chocolate mug cake recipe https://onesweetappetite.com/easy-chocolate-mug-cake/
Sarah says
I was craving dessert and gave this sprinkles mug cake a try for the first time. So delicious! So easy and perfect portion to fulfill my sweet tooth. The cake is delicious on its own but I topped it with frosting and more sprinkles. Will be keeping this recipe for many nights to come.
Jesseca says
Hi Sarah! I’m glad you liked this as much as I do. It’s one of our favorites for when we need a sweet fix.
Meg says
Hi
Cake was delicious but i have several different sizes of mugs
How big of mug approximately can i use
Also, how do i know when the cake is ready?
Do I test it like a regular cake — I know the cake continues to cook in the mug after removing it from the microwave
Thank you
Jesseca says
Hi Meg, for this recipe I recommend using a 12oz mug or larger. As far as testing, you can do the classic cake test by poking with a toothpick right in the center. You will also be able to see the center start to fluff and look less wet. I hope this helps!
Alicia Eide says
thanks so much for this freak’n mug cake amazing
I so tell every one of you to make this mug cake mmm
thanks so much Jes
Alicia ag 10
Jesseca says
Thanks, Alicia! 🙂