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    Home - Cake - Vanilla Cake Recipes

    Published: Sep 19, 2019 · Modified: Oct 12, 2021 by Amanda Powell · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Vanilla Mug Cake

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    vanilla mug cake

    A delicious vanilla mug cake that is finished and ready to eat in minutes. This easy mug cake recipe is the perfect solution to those late night cake cravings. Perfect for when you want a single serving vanilla cake in your life! 

    finished vanilla mug cake with vanilla frosting and sprinkles

    There are times in everyone's life when a sudden craving for cake arises. You know the one... you're up watching the latest show on Netflix and a thought creeps into your head "Some cake would really hit the spot right about now." Suddenly, the thought overtakes you until you can only think about cake. Making a whole cake is kind of ridiculous right now, and you don't want to have to put on pants to go to the store. 

    Luckily..... luckily, vanilla mug cakes are totally a thing. 

    Now with an easy mug cake recipe like this one, you get back to your show with some cake after only a few minutes. 

    vanilla mug cake prep wet ingredients in mug

    All the ingredients are things you probably already have in the kitchen. And you don't even need eggs to make this fluffy vanilla cake in a mug. Pro tip: keep some vanilla frosting around. We always have some in the fridge and in the freezer for emergencies like this. 

    What is Vanilla Mug Cake?

    Believe it or not, but you can make a single serving of cake in a regular microwave-safe coffee or tea mug. The ingredients get mixed in the mug, then microwaved until cooked through. It means you can have cake done in minutes.

    The best part is that since you aren't frosting it like a layer cake you can eat the vanilla mug cake while it is still warm. I love adding frosting, whipped cream, or ice cream on my warm vanilla cake in a mug so it melts and covers all the cake. 

    vanilla mug cake prep dry ingredients in mug

    What do I Need to Make Vanilla Mug Cake?

    You only need a few ingredients, a mug, and a microwave.

    The ingredients are pantry staples like butter, milk, sugar, flour, and vanilla. We also use some baking powder for fluffiness, plus if you want, you can add some cornstarch to give the cake an even better texture. 

    Almost any microwave-safe mug that is at least 10 ounces will work. Anything smaller might leave you with cake all over your microwave. I use the large mugs from the Hearth and Hand Magnolia collection at Target. It can hold double the recipe without spilling over, making it perfect for bigger appetites! If you are looking for something really cute, I adore these mugs. 

    vanilla mug cake prep ingredients mixed and cooked in microwave

    How do I Make Vanilla Mug Cake?

    The steps are crazy simple for making your vanilla cake in a mug. 

    1. Melt your butter in the microwave. 
    2. Stir in the milk, vanilla, and sugar. 
    3. Mix in the flour, cornstarch (if using), baking powder, and salt.
    4. Cook in the microwave for 60 - 90 seconds, or until the sides are set at the top looks slightly moist. 
    5. Remove and allow to rest for a minute. Top with your favorite toppings, like a creamy vanilla buttercream frosting and sprinkles. 

    vanilla mug cake on a spoon with frosting

    How to Make Vanilla Mug Cake Without.....

    Butter: You can substitute the butter in this easy mug cake recipe with a neutral-flavored oil, butter-flavored Crisco, or margarine. If you use margarine, and it is on the saltier side, omit the salt in the recipe. 

    Baking Powder: You can replace the baking powder with baking soda using a 1:1 ratio. You can also omit the baking powder completely, but the cake will be more dense. 

    Eggs: You're in luck! This recipe does not need eggs!

    Milk: You can use a milk alternative like cashew milk or oat milk. You can also get creative and use heavy cream, coffee creamer, or thinning out a bit of yogurt or sour cream with a touch of water. 

    Flour: There isn't much you can use to replace the flour, unfortunately. You can use a gluten-free baking mix. If you skip out on the salt and baking powder, you can try a complete pancake mix (the kind that only needs you to add water). Please note, I've never tried it using the pancake mix method personally, but I know people who have. 

    close up vanilla mug cake with frosting and cake on spoon

    Want more mug cakes?

    Try this hot chocolate mug cake, and you cannot forget my award winning black forest mug cake. You might also love my deeply chocolaty chocolate mug cake or my peanut butter mug cake complete with chocolate chips because why not. 

    close up vanilla mug cake with frosting and cake on spoon

    Vanilla Mug Cake

    Amanda Powell
    An incredibly easy and delicious vanilla mug cake
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 1 min
    Total Time 6 mins
    Course Cake
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 cake
    Calories 460 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 3 tablespoons milk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 2 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar
    • 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon cornstarch optional
    • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
    • Pinch salt

    Instructions
     

    • Heat the butter until it is mostly, but not completely melted - about 15 seconds. Stir until melted fully.
    • Stir in the milk, vanilla, and sugar. Mix well.
    • Mix in the remaining ingredients until there are almost no lumps, but do not over mix.
    • Cook in the microwave for 50 - 90 seconds, or until the sides of the cake pull away from the mug a bit, but the top still looks a little moist.
    • Leave the cake to cool for a couple of minutes before eating, the mug will be very hot, so be careful.
    • Top with frosting, whipped cream, ice cream, or whatever you love with your vanilla cake!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 460kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 6gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 183mgFiber: 1gSugar: 32g
    Keyword dessert, easy, mug cake, vanilla
    Tried this recipe?Tag me on Instagram! @acookienameddesire #acookienameddesire

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    About Amanda Powell

    Baker, photographer, and sometimes world traveler behind A Cookie Named Desire. Obsessed with helping people live life sweetly with delicious food to share with the special people in your life and creating lasting memories.

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    Comments

    1. Toinette Meiring says

      October 23, 2020 at 11:31 am

      Most delicious mug cake EVER!

      Reply
      • Amanda Powell says

        October 23, 2020 at 11:54 am

        I’m do glad you liked it!!!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Amanda! I am the baker and photographer behind A Cookie Named Desire. I'm a world traveler (sometimes) with a major weakness for cookies and cheese. While I'm mostly self-taught, I recently received a degree in Food Science!

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