Vanilla Mug Cake: A super EASY microwavable mug cake recipe without egg and a few other simple ingredients ready in just 7 minutes.
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!
Jump to:
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! If you’re looking to feed a crowd, this cloud cake would be a good alternative.
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
Step by Step Directions
- Add butter to your mug and microwave until melted.
- Stir vanilla extract, milk, and sugar into the butter.
- Add flour, baking powder, and salt and stir until just combined.
- Microwave mug cake for 1-½ to 2 minutes. Be careful removing the mug from the microwave as it may be hot.
FAQs
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.
Sure! If you don’t prefer to reheat it, you can eat it cold!
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!
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 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
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!
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
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
Nutrition
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.
Jamie says
This had a good taste, but was dense and had flour bits. I tried to mush them along the sides of mug to get them to combine. It didn’t work that great. I was worried about over mixing since the recipe said, until just combined. I have always mixed wet in well-combined dry ingredients. I will try this next time.
Jessica says
I’m glad you liked the taste of this Jamie but sorry yours had flour bits!
Jade says
Can you add extras like sprinkles to the mix?
Jessica says
I don’t see why not!
Shobgood says
This is a great mug cake! Buttery, light and fluffy!
Just 1 thing, I would add 1 tsp at a time until it wasnt quite so lose.
It it a very good cake!
Lynnda Gage says
Made this tonight after “someone” asked if there was any dessert. Uhhhh…no wasn’t the right answer so I looked for something quick and easy. This was it!! I did change it just a bit. Used lemon extract instead of vanilla and added 1/4 cup of frozen blueberries with the flour. Super good and it satisfied my “someone’s” dessert craving! Thanks.
Jessica says
Oh wow! I love lemon and love the idea of using that for this mug cake recipe. Thank you so much for sharing, and for leaving a 5-star review!
Ashley says
I really love this recipe! The only issue is that the mixture never tends to mix well, there’s always extra flour bits into the batter floating at the top. I need help of why this is happening. I followed everything step by step. :’)
Jessica says
Hi Ashley! You know, does it look like the photos in the blog post? If so, then that’s what mine does but I don’t notice it when eating it after cooking. However, if you do, you may want to try using a small little whisk if you have one of those. (Like a mini-size.) I hope that help! So glad that you like the recipe. 🙂
Stacey Windon says
This was my first mug cake. OMG! It was amazing and perfect.
Jessica says
That’s so awesome to hear Stacey. I’m thrilled to hear that you loved this mug cake recipe too!
Dvora L Gehring says
Easy & excellent!
Tammie Rainworst says
It doesn’t get any easier than this! So delicious!
Jessica says
Thank you Tammie! So glad that you liked this vanilla mug cake too!
Pamela says
Flavor was good but it only rose about halfway up the mug, and was a bit chewy. Cooked right at 2 minutes.
Kristyn says
You know, sometimes you just need some warm, moist, delicious cake all for yourself! And, this recipe is perfect for that!! It turns out perfectly!
Jessica says
I feel the exact same way about this mug cake too! Thank you so much for sharing!
Toni says
This was a huge hit at my house! Such a perfectly easy treat!
Jessica says
I’m so glad you liked this vanilla cake too! Thank you for sharing!
Frie says
Honestly after I got it out I had major doubts cause it looked little (I didn’t look at how big it would be) but it really is delicious and I will definitely make it again.
Jessica says
That’s so great! Oh yes, it’s made for one serving, which is why I like it because sometimes I’m the only one who wants something sweet! 🙂 I’m so glad that you liked this mug cake! Thank you for taking the time to share and leave a review!
Mia Hyde says
The best mug cake I ever tried. I added some mashed banana, or whip cream topping. It’s so warm and satisfying with only normal pantry items. Thank you!
Jessica says
Yay! I’m so glad that you likd it Mia! Thank you for sharing and leaving a review!
Amy Hyde says
This was excellent! Light, fluffy and so simple. No big mess or pans. I added a touch of almond extract with the vanilla. it also makes great banana pudding, just mash up half a ripe banana cook as normal. Drizzle a bit of caramel over it. Serve warm. Thank you for this godsend of a recipe!!!
Jessica says
I’m so glad that you liked it! Thank you so much for letting me know!
Cath says
This is the truly best!! My first mug cake ever!! Had a lot of doubts since it’s my first but I would really love to do this over and over again!!
Jessica says
Yay!! I’m so glad, thank you for sharing!
Sri says
OMG ,for real ,this is hands down the best mug cake ever.If your still looking for a good mug cake recipe,your search ends here.make it nd you’ll know y we love this mug cake so much.Thank you for this wonderful mug cake recipe ,fantabulosity.
Jessica says
Aww, I’m so glad that you like it!! Thank you for sharing!
Krissy Allori says
I love this for when I need a treat but don’t want to make a whole big amount.. Thanks!
Jessica says
You’re so right! Thank you!
Sara Welch says
Love quick and easy desserts! This is just what I needed to cure my sweet tooth!
Jessica says
YES! This is the perfect way to satisfy a sweet tooth quickly! 🙂
Anna says
Love love love this recipe! I don’t have to bake a whole cake when I am just craving a slice!
Jessica says
YES! No wasted left-overs either!
Trang says
I seriously do have cake cravings sometimes but then feel bad about getting or making a whole cake because I’d be the only one eating it and/or it takes time to make! I love that I can make this so quickly and just for myself!
Jessica says
YES! I can totally relate this feeling!
Natalie says
Perfect for when I need something sweet all to myself!! Thank you!! Love vanilla cake!
Jessica says
For real! I can totally relate to this, and I love vanilla cake too!
Tiffiny says
Not bad for being microwaved. It reminds me of the puréed waffles I used to get in the hospital…it was the only thing that was good. Super good with a little syrup
Ann says
Cake recipes in mugs are always so interesting and unusual. Indeed, we are used to pouring tea into mugs rather than making cakes in them 🙂 I really like vanilla flavor and this recipe has become one of my favorites, I cook it every weekend when I want something sweet. Once I tried to add cocoa, but I like vanilla more anyway. Thank you for sharing such detailed and delicious recipes.
Jessica says
Aw, I’m so glad that you like this recipe!! Thank you so much for letting us know!
Jamiece says
Fire🔥. So freaking good and buttery too. Making this more often!!