Vanilla Mug Cake
on Feb 05, 2024, Updated Jan 26, 2025
I may receive compensation in the form of payment or products to supplement my posts, but all opinions remain my own. Read our disclosure policy.
This easy vanilla mug cake is made in the microwave and ready in minutes! It’s moist, with a delicious vanilla flavor and optional sprinkles. Top it with vanilla frosting or a scoop of ice cream.
It truly tastes like my favorite vanilla cake and vanilla cupcake recipes. It can be made with or without egg and takes about 5-10 minutes to prepare and bake.
**This recipe was originally published September 7, 2018 and updated February 5, 2024 with new photos and recipe tips**
When the craving hits for a delicious treat and you need it pronto, this vanilla mug cake is here for you. It’s moist and tender, filled with vanilla goodness, and ready in minutes. Plus – you can load it with sprinkles for a funfetti mug cake version.
What’s a mug cake, you ask???
A mug cake is a single serving cake baked in the microwave. All the ingredients are mixed together inside of a mug, and then it cooks in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes.
There are really endless varieties and flavors – like a chocolate mug cake, a peanut butter mug cake, or a Nutella mug cake – but today we’re making a vanilla mug cake with or without sprinkles.
Making a Vanilla Cake in a Mug
Ok – let’s talk specifics. What I love about this recipe is that it’s moist, flavorful and definitely still tastes like cake despite the fact it’s made in the microwave. Here’s the rundown.
- Start by adding your butter to the mug you plan to use. Then microwave on medium power for about 20-30 seconds or until melted. We’re using butter instead of oil because it adds so much more flavor to vanilla cake.
- Then you’ll whisk the sugar, egg yolk (just the yolk!), vanilla extract and milk into the butter using a fork. Just make sure your butter isn’t piping hot.
- Add in your dry ingredients – flour, baking powder and a tiny pinch of salt – then whisk with your fork until you no longer see any lumps of dry ingredients.
- Optionally, stir in your sprinkles. I always recommend using jimmies (the little cylinders) as opposed to nonpareils (the little round balls) because they’re far less likely to bleed color.
- Then it’s time to bake the cake in the microwave. I always start with 1 minute on medium power. Then I do additional 30 second intervals on medium power until the top looks totally set. I highly recommend going slowly to avoid the cake overbaking.
Pro Tip: The cake will rise quite a bit as it bakes, so make sure your mug isn’t too small. I recommend using a mug that’s wide as opposed to a mug that’s tall and skinny. I find that a wide mug allows the cake to bake more evenly.
Making a Mug Cake With or Without Eggs
Note that this recipe uses 1 large egg yolk (you’ll discard the egg white). The egg yolk makes the mug cake moist, tender and deliciously springy in texture. The egg yolk will bake in the microwave. But if you prefer to make this mug cake without egg, you can substitute the egg yolk for 1 extra tablespoon of milk.
Serving & Topping Ideas
I typically eat mine straight from the mug (just make sure to let it cool for a minute or two first), or you can also gently scoop it out of the mug and serve on a plate. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top is super delicious, or you can also add just a little frosting. Note that if you add the frosting on top while the cake is still hot – it will melt a little bit.
This vanilla mug cake is such a delicious treat when you’re home alone, or craving something sweet in a jiffy.
For more easy, single-serving desserts – try these other favorites:
- Double Chocolate Cookie for One
- Edible Cookie Dough
- Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie for One
- Nutella Mug Cake
Or for or more vanilla cake recipes – try these favorites:
Vanilla Mug Cake
Ingredients
Vanilla Mug Cake
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28 grams)
- 2 tablespoons milk (30 ml)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg yolk*, do not add in the egg white
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour (39 grams)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- pinch salt
- 1 tablespoon sprinkles, optional
Frosting (optional)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28 grams)
- 2-3 tablespoons powdered sugar (14-21 grams)
- 1 teaspoon milk
- drop food coloring, optional
Instructions
Vanilla Mug Cake
- Add the butter to your mug and microwave until melted (about 30 seconds).
- Whisk in the milk, vanilla extract, egg yolk & sugar with a fork.
- Then whisk in the flour, baking powder and salt.
- Optionally stir in the sprinkles
- Microwave for 60 seconds on medium power. If the cake is not done baking (ie it still looks gooey), microwave for an additional 30 seconds. It may need 2-3 extra 30 second intervals. I recommend baking in intervals to avoid the cake overbaking. When it's done baking, the top should look set and feel slightly firm to the touch on top.
- Cool for at least 1 minute before enjoying.
Vanilla Frosting
- Beat the butter using an electric mixer or whisk with a fork until smooth.
- Beat/whisk in the powdered sugar 1 tablespoon at a time until the desired sweetness is reached. Then beat/whisk in the milk.
- Spread/pipe on top of the cake.
Notes
- Egg Yolk: Do not use the full egg - just use the egg yolk. If you don't want to use the egg yolk, substitute the egg yolk with 1 additional tablespoon of milk.
- Milk: 1%, 2% or dairy free milk (such as almond) work well for this recipe.
- Nutrition: Details provided are an estimate only and based on eating the entire mug cake, including the frosting.
Delicious! I’m excited to have found this recipe. It is not dry & dense as other microwave cake recipes.
YUMMY AND FUN TO MAKE.
Thanks for reporting back!
this is the best mug cake recipe i’ve tried so far. it tastes good and the texture is amazing ! so light and fluffy !! will try with chocolate chips next time 🙂
The cake was fluffy and airy unlike most mug cakes I’ve tried, I put chocolate sprinkles in it and it was delicious
I’m so glad it turned out so well for you!
Really good! I added thr full ypke cause i messed up but it still tasted fine
The cake was delicious! I was looking for a vanilla mug cake and this is a keeper. The only thing i’ll do differently next time is sift the dry ingredients. I haven’t baked in a long while and the baking powder was lumpy. Man, does that taste gross!
Aside from the “surprise” in the center of my cake, it was fantastic. The texture was better than any other mug cake i have tried. So light and fluffy!
Delicious and super simple.
You advertise this recipe to have no baking powder and yet there’s baking powder in the recipe.
Hi Audrianna – I’m not sure what you mean by advertise? The recipe and post state that there is baking powder in the recipe.
Hi there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a marvellous job!
Awesome! I tried this mug cake recipe a long time ago and it has become my favorite treat, especially during breakfast. I substituted maple syrup instead of vanilla extract. Also, I used roasted almonds instead of sprinkles. So far, I will make a vanilla mug cake again and again.
I was quite impressed by this quick recipe. I actually doubled the recipe and it turned out perfect. Just cooked it for two minutes. Didn’t bother with the frosting, it was a perfect, light and fluffy dessert