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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    The BEST Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe

    By: Jessica · Posted: Jan 25, 2025 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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    Jump to Recipe 66 comments
    4.90 from 103 votes
    The BEST Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe

    Vanilla Mug Cake: A super EASY microwavable mug cake recipe without egg and a few other simple ingredients ready in just 7 minutes.

    Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe

     

    Cake recipes are a favorite easy dessert around here, and after making this multiple times and perfecting it, we’ve decided this is the BEST vanilla mug cake recipe that there is!

    Vanilla Mug Cake
    Jump to:
    • What is a Mug Cake?
    • Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
    • How do you make a vanilla mug cake from scratch?
    • Ingredient List
    • Step by Step Directions
    • FAQs
    • Vanilla Cake Topping Ideas
    • More Cake Recipes You’ll Love
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    What is a Mug Cake?

    A mug cake is a single-serving cake that you can make in a pinch when you have a craving for a sweet treat! With a few ingredients, you can microwave a cake in a microwave-safe mug, cup, or small bowl, for a perfect dessert just for you!

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

    • Dessert for one: When you’re on the hunt for single-serving desserts, this one tops the cake! (No pun intended… well, maybe a little.) Mug recipes may just become your new favorite thing!
    • Microwaved: The best part is that this vanilla mug cake recipe is mixed in and microwaved in the mug so you don’t have to dirty any dishes except your measuring cups and spoons.
    • Kid-friendly: It’s the perfect treat if your kiddos have a sweet tooth and they want to try and make something on their own!
    • Texture: I was so pleasantly surprised by the texture of this mug cake. I was expecting weird and chewy and spongy but instead, it was light and fluffy. A key to keeping the texture super light and fluffy is mixing it just until it comes together. Any extra stirring could make it tough or gummy.

    How do you make a vanilla mug cake from scratch?

    It is made with common ingredients that you’ll probably already have in your pantry and refrigerator, and you’ll only need a large mug to cook it in! You simply mix the ingredients (lightly) and then microwave them and it’s ready to eat.

    Ingredient List

    This only takes a few simple ingredients! Make sure to see the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and instructions.

    Wet Ingredients:

    • melted butter
    • vanilla extract
    • milk

    What kind of milk to use for mug cake? I used 2% milk when testing the recipe but you can use whatever milk you have on hand whether it’s whole, skim, coconut, or almond milk.

    Dry Ingredients:

    • white granulated sugar
    • all-purpose flour
    • baking powder
    • salt
    Ingredients for Vanilla Mug cake

    Step by Step Directions

    • Add butter to your mug and microwave until melted.
    Melted butter and ingredients in mug
    • Stir vanilla extract, milk, and sugar into the butter.
    • Add flour, baking powder, and salt and stir until just combined.
    Wet ingredients before microwaving
    • Microwave mug cake for 1-½ to 2 minutes. Be careful removing the mug from the microwave as it may be hot.
    Microwaved mug cake ready to eat

    FAQs

    Can you reheat a vanilla mug cake?

    You can! If you don’t eat it all the first round, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator for up to one day. To reheat, simply remove cover and reheat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds until heated through.

    Can you eat mug cakes cold?

    Sure! If you don’t prefer to reheat it, you can eat it cold!

    What kind of mug do I use for mug cakes?

    If you’re making a mug cake in the microwave, be sure to use a microwave-safe mug as it could be really hot to the touch when finished cooking!

    Is it safe to eat mug cakes?

    Absolutely! It’s a great way to enjoy a quick sweet treat when the craving hits! Plus, with this recipe, you can add in your favorite toppings if desired!

    Vanilla Cake in a mug eating with a spoon

    Vanilla Cake Topping Ideas

    This vanilla mug cake is so great on its own but if you want to top this vanilla mug cake, here are my favorite ideas:

    • A scoop of Vanilla Ice cream
    • Mint Buttercream Frosting or Chocolate Buttercream
    • Strawberries and Whipped Cream
    • Fresh fruit
    • Sliced bananas
    • Peanut Butter
    • A dollop of whipped cream
    • Chocolate chips
    • Nuts
    • Brown Sugar
    • A drizzle of chocolate sauce
    • Salted caramel drizzle
    Vanilla Mug Cake

    More Cake Recipes You’ll Love

    If you love easy dessert recipes like this vanilla mug cake, you’ll also love these top fan favorites! This Milky Way Cake is increasingly popular, as well as this Easy Carrot Cake, this 7Up Pound Cake, and this Easy Pound Cake.

    Thank you to Meg’s Everyday Indulgence for sharing another easy dessert recipe with us!

    • Slice of peaches and cream cake on plate with fresh peaches on top.
      Peaches and Cream Cake
    • A serving of banana dump cake in a small ramekin with caramel sauce and sliced bananas.
      Banana Dump Cake
    • lemon bundt cake on wood stand
      Creamy Lemon Bundt Cake
    • A square of carrot walnut cake.
      Carrot Cake Poke Cake

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    Vanilla Mug cake recipe on spoon

    Vanilla Mug Cake

    Jessica Burgess
    Vanilla Mug Cake: A super EASY mug cake recipe, using no egg, and uses simple ingredients that you make in the microwave!
    4.90 from 103 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 2 minutes mins
    Total Time 7 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 serving
    Calories 493 kcal

    Video

    Equipment

    • Microwave safe mug

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ cup milk any type will work
    • 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
    • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
    • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt

    Instructions
     

    • Add butter to your mug. Microwave until melted. Stir vanilla extract, milk and sugar into the butter. Add flour, baking powder and salt and stir until just combined – do not overmix so it becomes light and fluffy.
    • Microwave mug cake 1.5 to 2 minutes. Be careful removing the mug from the microwave as it may be hot.

    Notes

    Note: I used 2% milk when testing the recipe but you can use whatever milk you have on hand whether it’s whole, skim or almond milk.
    A key to keeping the texture super light and fluffy is mixing it just until it comes together. Any extra stirring could make it tough or gummy.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 493kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 479mg | Potassium: 205mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 838IU | Calcium: 122mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Keywords dessert for one, easy cake recipe, easy dessert
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Comments

      4.90 from 103 votes (82 ratings without comment)

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    1. Jen says

      August 09, 2024 at 5:40 pm

      5 stars
      This is a great recipe for a quick snack with a cup of coffee:) II’ve cut the sugar down to 1 Tbsp and added a few mini choc chips. I’ve also made it with a little coconut extract and a sprinkle of shredded coconut mixed in. So good!
      My husband and I have it at least once a week, sitting on the deck sipping coffee. Mmmmm

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        August 10, 2024 at 7:15 am

        Thank you so much for sharing, Jen! I love knowing that you added coconut to this. I may have to try that too!

        Reply
    2. Carol says

      July 09, 2024 at 7:32 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is a keeper! I served the cake with sliced strawberries and homemade whipped cream. The family loved the taste and the novelty of strawberry shortcake in a mug. I’ll definitely make it again.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        July 09, 2024 at 10:38 pm

        Yay! So thrilled that you liked this mug cake, Carol! Thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    3. Kundo says

      April 04, 2024 at 5:19 pm

      I’ve had a number of bad mug cakes, but this one was nearly perfect. A great fit for cravings without using much time at all. The texture was absolutely wonderful. Best mug cake recipe, ever.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        April 07, 2024 at 3:25 pm

        Ahh!! That makes me so happy! I love this one too, and I’m thrilled that you think this is the best mug cake too!

        Reply
    4. AshTheRecipeTrier says

      March 27, 2024 at 8:55 pm

      I topped it with strawberry jam and cream cheese and man was it delicious 😋

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        April 07, 2024 at 3:27 pm

        That sounds incredible to put on this mug cake! Thank you so much for sharing!

        Reply
    5. Behara Beganovic says

      March 22, 2024 at 4:11 pm

      I used the amount of salt recommended and it was extremely salty to me

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        April 07, 2024 at 3:29 pm

        Oh really??? That’s so interesting! Did you happen to use salted butter too? That could really make it saltier than it could be.

        Reply
    6. Melissa says

      February 08, 2024 at 7:38 pm

      The consistency is lovely. Soft but not mushy, delicate yet satisfying. I accidentally used 1/3 c milk so I compensated using 1/3 c flour too. (1/4 c flour looked too runny so added enough to match the milk). At first it was lumpy with a fork, but a wisk that barely fit in the mug spun around a few times did the trick. It rose nicely without rising past the top of my 16 oz mug. Vanilla flavor was maybe too powerful for my palette so I’ll play around with that, but overall great. If yours doesn’t rise, check your baking powder. You may need a new one.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        February 08, 2024 at 8:19 pm

        Thank you so much for sharing this Melissa! I love hearing what you did with the mug cake!

        Reply
    7. Kali says

      January 28, 2024 at 2:32 pm

      This mug cake was flavourless, I made it and I thought I had covid I couldn’t taste any flavour.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        January 28, 2024 at 2:43 pm

        You can add more vanilla/sugar if you feel it needs more! I like to add syrups, strawberries, and whipped cream to mine!

        Reply
    8. Anonym says

      December 13, 2023 at 1:51 pm

      1 star
      The recipe didnt work my cake was not eatable

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        December 13, 2023 at 4:35 pm

        Sorry it didn’t work out for you! We’ve made it quite a few times and it always works out for us, so I’m not sure what may have happened!

        Reply
    9. Nkaleni says

      November 07, 2023 at 12:08 pm

      Tried this several times. It’s the fastest yummy treat. Very adaptable as well.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        November 07, 2023 at 2:03 pm

        I’m so happy that you like this mug cake recipe too! Thank you so much for sharing!

        Reply
    10. Tanja Krikke says

      September 25, 2023 at 4:06 am

      It is insanely delicious! Light, fluffy & moist…perfect cake in a cup!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        September 25, 2023 at 10:17 am

        That’s so great, and I’m so glad that you liked this mug cake Tanja, thank you!

        Reply
    11. Isabella says

      August 01, 2023 at 12:12 am

      Definitely the best mug cake recipe I’ve tried. It’s already pretty good but replacing the butter for the same amount of oil and the sugar for the same amount of brown sugar really elevates it. Highly recommend trying it

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        August 01, 2023 at 9:37 am

        Oh this is so fun to know about doing this for a mug cake. Thank you so much for sharing!

        Reply
    12. Shirley says

      June 29, 2023 at 2:29 pm

      I made this today! I made a few adjustments for my diet… replaced the milk and sugar for 1/4 cup of a vanilla protein shake and replaced the flour with finely ground oats. It was delicious! Adding this one to my recipe boos TODAY!

      Reply
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    Hi, I'm Jessica! - Owner and Creator of the blog and brand, Fantabulosity.

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