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This easy Vanilla Mug Cake is the perfect fix for when you need something sweet but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Light and fluffy cake, full of vanilla flavor, and ready in less than 5 minutes.. Perfect for satisfying those sweet cravings without the hassle of traditional baking.
Try topping your mug cake withstrawberry whipped cream, no-churn ice cream, orraspberry sauce!
Why You’ll Love This Vanilla Mug Cake
- Quick and Easy Dessert: Mug cakes are incredibly quick and easy to make, taking just a few minutes from start to finish. They’re perfect for satisfying sudden sweet cravings or for when you want a simple dessert without the time commitment of traditional baking.
- Single-Serving Portion: Mug cakes are portioned perfectly for one person, making them ideal for those times when you’re baking just for yourself or when you want to enjoy a personalized treat without making a whole cake. It’s always great to save single serving dessert ideas!
- Minimal Ingredients: Most vanilla mug cake recipes require basic pantry staples like flour, sugar, milk, and butter, making them accessible to even novice bakers. You don’t need any special equipment or extensive baking skills to whip up a delicious mug cake.
It is no secret that vanilla is one of my favorite flavors. We make myStarbucks sweet cream recipealmost daily and readers rave over myvanilla 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 and honestly is the best vanilla mug cake recipe.
Side note, this recipe is VERY close to my tried and truevanilla cupcakes from scratch. You almost can’t even tell a difference!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This is what I like to call a life-changing recipe. It is the perfect dessert, simple to make, and uses mostly kitchen items you already have on hand! If you have a sweet tooth, like I do, you HAVE to try this recipe. Here is a quick look at the simple ingredients:
- 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: Granulated sugar dissolves easily and evenly into the batter, helping to create a smooth texture and consistent sweetness throughout the cake. However, you can also experiment with other types of sweeteners if you prefer. For example, you could try using brown sugar for a slightly richer flavor, or powdered sugar for a smoother texture. Just keep in mind that different types of sugar may affect the taste and texture of the final mug cake
- 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, soy milk, and almond milk won’t give you quite the same texture but do still work ok in this simple mug cake.
- Butter: 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 for the best vanilla flavor and not it’s imitation cousin. The other option is to swap this for vanilla bean paste or do a mix of vanilla with almond extract.
Recipe Substitutions
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 oil, avocado oil, or applesauce.
- This is a great recipe for a small mug. For larger mugs, or for sharing, you can easily double this recipe.
- Don’t forget to try other flavors like mySnickerdoodle Mug Cakeor my son’s favoriteCinnamon Roll Mug Cake!
Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe
Not to brag, but this is easily the best mug cake. As far as single-serving desserts go – it’s quick, easy, and so incredibly moist and fluffy! Be sure to look at the comments for some great suggestions.
- Prepare Your Mug: Choose a microwave-safe mug that’s big enough to accommodate the cake batter without overflowing. You can lightly grease the inside of the mug with a bit of butter or oil to prevent sticking, but it’s not necessary.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In the mug, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and baking powder until well combined. This will ensure that your mug cake rises properly and has a nice texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the milk, melted butter or oil, and vanilla extract into the mug with the dry ingredients. Stir everything together until you have a smooth batter. If you’re adding sprinkles, gently fold them into the batter now.
- Microwave: Place the mug in the microwave and cook on high for about 1 to 2 minutes, depending on the wattage of your microwave. Start with 1 minute and check the cake’s doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, your mug cake is ready. If not, continue microwaving in 15 to 30-second intervals until done. Remember, cooking time will vary depending on your microwave wattage.
- Serve: Carefully remove the mug from the microwave (it will be hot!) and let it cool for a minute or two. You can enjoy the mug cake directly from the mug or transfer it to a plate. If desired, you can add a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or extra sprinkles on top for decoration.
- Enjoy: Grab a spoon and dig into your warm and delicious vanilla mug cake! Enjoy it as a quick and satisfying dessert anytime you need a sweet treat fix.
Helpful Tools
Here are some helpful tools and equipment you might find useful when making a mug cake recipe:
- Microwave-Safe Mug: Choose a microwave-safe mug that’s big enough to accommodate the cake batter without overflowing. A standard-sized mug with a capacity of 12 to 16 ounces works well for most mug cake recipes.
- Measuring Spoons and Cups: Accurate measurement is key to baking success, so make sure you have a set of measuring spoons and cups on hand to measure out your ingredients precisely.
- Whisk or Fork: You’ll need a utensil for mixing your ingredients together. A small whisk or a fork works well for stirring the batter until smooth and well combined.
- Toothpick or Cake Tester: A toothpick or cake tester is handy for checking the doneness of your mug cake. Simply insert it into the center of the cake, and if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, your cake is ready.
Recipe Notes:
What sized mug should I use for this recipe?
The best size mug to use for a mug cake is typically one that has a capacity of 12 to 16 ounces. This size provides enough space for the cake batter to expand while cooking without overflowing or making a mess in the microwave. Additionally, a larger mug allows for better heat distribution, ensuring that the cake cooks evenly. However, you can use smaller or larger mugs depending on your preference, as long as they are microwave-safe and have enough room for the batter to rise without spilling over.
Why is my mug 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.
Can I make a vanilla mug cake without a microwave?
Some mug cakes can be made in the oven, however this recipe should only be made in the microwave.
Can I add toppings to my vanilla mug cake?
This recipe is SO delicious as is, but you can always top it with a little whipped cream, scoop of ice cream, or bit of your favorite frosting.
How do I know how long to cook a mug cake?
Each microwave time 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 Mug Cake Recipes You’ll Love
-
Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake
-
Lemon Mug Cake
-
Oreo Mug Cake Recipe
-
Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake
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4.75 from 70 votes
Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe
Created by: Jesseca
Course Desserts
Cuisine American
Prep Time 4 minutes minutes
Cook Time 1 minute minute
Total Time 5 minutes minutes
1
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.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1½ tablespoons butter melted, or oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon sprinkles optional
Instructions
You can lightly grease the inside of the mug with a bit of butter or oil to prevent sticking, but it's not necessary.
In the mug, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and baking powder until well combined. This will ensure that your mug cake rises properly and has a nice texture.
Pour in the milk, melted butter or oil, and vanilla extract into the mug with the dry ingredients. Stir everything together until you have a smooth batter. If you're adding sprinkles, gently fold them into the batter now.
Place the mug in the microwave and cook on high for about 1 to 2 minutes, depending on the wattage of your microwave. Start with 1 minute and check the cake's doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, your mug cake is ready. If not, continue microwaving in 15 to 30-second intervals until done. Remember, cooking time will vary depending on your microwave wattage.
Carefully remove the mug from the microwave (it will be hot!) and let it cool for a minute or two. You can enjoy the mug cake directly from the mug or transfer it to a plate. If desired, you can add a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or extra sprinkles on top for decoration.
Grab a spoon and dig into your warm and delicious vanilla mug cake! Enjoy it as a quick and satisfying dessert anytime you need a sweet treat fix.
Video
Notes
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.
- 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.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 438kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 371mg | Potassium: 132mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 624IU | Calcium: 203mg | Iron: 2mg
Equipment
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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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- Belgian Waffle Recipe
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- Homemade Red Velvet Cake
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Reader Interactions
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Josie says
Did not work well I had to add lots of flour to get the right consistency and it needed salt
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Jesseca says
Hi Josie, I’d love to help figure this out. I’ve made this recipe over a dozen times and haven’t had any issues.
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Heaven says
I was craving something sweet kinda late at night and didn’t have any desserts on hand. Made this super fast literally took 5 minutes! it was so good and i did substitute butter for oil and the consistency was perfect to me, nice and gooey, but i like that. Definitely will make this again!Reply
grace says
good and yummy! as a child this is a really good recipe because i don’t have to use the oven. it’s very moist and yummy. It took longer than 5 minutes but that’s okay because i wasn’t expecting it to. For me it looks like mashed potato’s and has the texture of scrambled eggs. overall i give this a 4/5 and i would recommend this to people!Reply
Taylor says
This came out perfect! Best mug cake recipe I’ve tried!Reply
Jesseca says
Thanks, Taylor!
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Andrea says
I made this for my mom tonight. She was wanting something sweet and “bread like” but didn’t want a whole cake. So I gave this a go and it was a hit! She loved it! My dad and I also enjoyed a few bites. He and I are looking forward to trying the Chocolate and the cinnamon recipes!This was my first time making a mug cake recipe. I chose this one because of the high number of positive reviews. It is as easy as it looks and the result was delicious. I recommend trying this one out.
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Jesseca says
Hi Andrea! Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try. I’m glad it worked out to give your mom that sweet fix!
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Hope Melendez says
Finally!! This is by far the best mug recipe I have found. Thank you!Reply
Jesseca says
This comment made my day! Thank you, Hope!
K says
Genuinely the best mug cake i’ve ever had. Consistently too! I don’t use sprinkles because I’m not a sprinkles person, but I add cinnamon sugar and some homemade whip cream on top and its so good. 100% recommend.Reply
Jesseca says
Thank you, K! This is one of my personal favorites. I have a few other flavors you might like to try out. I’ve created 11 mug cake recipes so far, but more are on the way! My personal favorite is this one and the lemon cake.
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Me says
I couldn’t find the amount of each ingredient?
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Jesseca says
Hi there. The ingredients are located in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
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Mary Johnstone says
I made this exactly as indicated. Only difference ( I didn’t have milk) so I used 1/4 cup of vanilla latte protein shake. I cooked in my microwave for 2 min exactly.
While that was cooking I mixed up some swerve powder sugar a small tab of butter and used more of the vanilla latte shake to whip up a frosting!!! It was absolutely delicious! Definitely took care of that late night sweet tooth without all the sweetness! Great recipe… now to experiment and explore the chocolate mix. ♥️Reply
Shell says
It turned out tasty, wasn’t the sweetest though. Didn’t look anything like the picture.
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Lexxi says
I made this and this could also be my fault but it came out like a bread instead any tips?
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Jesseca says
Hi Lexxi. I have a few things that could have gone wrong… Did you check the expiration date for the baking powder? If the leavening agent is expired it can cause the cake not to rise. The other thing that could have gone wrong is cooking for too long. Do you know what wattage your microwave is?
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Ruby Dreiling says
Absolutely delicious!! 😋🍰 I’ve tried so many different cake in a mug recipes and none of them tasted good. But this recipe, Omg, is freaking amazing! 😫❤️❤️❤️❤️Love eating it warm 🤤Reply
Jesseca says
Hi Ruby! I’m SO glad you love this recipe. It’s one of my favorite ways to sneak in a sweet treat
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CK Wind says
great recipe, easy, fast, yumReply
Jesseca says
Glad you liked it!
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hungry highschooler says
Great recipe, 10/10 recommend! Super quick and easy, great for when you want something sweet after roasting to death in a school building for 7 hours! So easy, even an accident-prone high schooler can make it without issue! Thanks for the recipe, have a great day!Reply
Jesseca says
I’m SO glad you liked this recipe! My junior high kid loves it too and makes it regularly. Thank you for commenting!
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Talia Duckmanton says
It was so gross and oily
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Jesseca says
Hi Talia, I’ve made this recipe over 20 times and have never encountered that problem. Did you make substitutions? There’s no reason for this to be oily. It doesn’t call for oil?
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Joanna(fake name) says
Please add the amount of each ingredient, I tried it and my cake exploded.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Mauriana Cochran says
really easy to make and tasted great.Reply
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.
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Nikolina lukic says
TastyReply
Carolyn Kemery says
Could you put cocoa in it for a chocolate cake?
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Jesseca says
Hi Carolyn, here is a chocolate mug cake recipe https://onesweetappetite.com/easy-chocolate-mug-cake/
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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.Reply
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.
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Meg says
Hi
Cake was delicious but i have several different sizes of mugs
How big of mug approximately can i useAlso, 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 microwaveThank you
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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!
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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
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Jesseca says
Thanks, Alicia! 🙂
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