The BEST Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe, SO EASY in the Microwave! - Fantabulosity (2025)

By: Jessica · Posted: Jun 26, 2021 · Updated: Oct 8, 2024 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Vanilla Mug Cake: A super EASY mug cake recipe, using no egg, and uses simple ingredients that you make in the microwave!

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 mug cake recipe that there is!

Recipe updated September 2021

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:

• 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!
• 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.
• It’s the perfect treat if your kiddos have a sweet tooth and they want to try and make something on their own!

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 can also find the entire recipe in the card below for this great recipe!

Ingredient List

This only takes a few simple ingredients!

Wet Ingredients:

• 2Tbsp.butter (for melted butter)
• 1tsp.vanilla extract
• ¼cupmilk

Dry Ingredients:

• 2Tbsp.granulated sugar
• ¼cupall-purpose flour
• ¼tsp.baking powder
• ⅛tsp.salt

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.

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 1 ½ to 2 minutes. Be careful removing the mug from the microwave as it may be hot.

FAQs

Light and Fluffy Vanilla Cake

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.

Packed with Vanilla Flavor

This easy vanilla mug cake recipe is packed with so much vanilla flavor. The recipe includes a teaspoon of vanilla to make sure that flavor gets through.

You could even use vanilla bean paste if you have it on hand to punch up the flavor even more. You can purchase vanilla bean paste on Amazon, at some grocery stores and I’ve even seen it at Wal-Mart in their cake decorating section (not in the grocery area).

Vanilla Cake Topping Ideas

This vanilla mug cake is so great on its own but if you want to get really wild I have some fun ideas for you.

• 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

How fun would it be to set up a selection of toppings for movie night or your kid’s birthday parties!

Or, make it a baking party and everyone can make their own little mug cakes! See the baking party for some ideas, where they used cookies, but could easily be turned in to mini cakes!

More Cake Recipes You’ll Love

If you love easy dessert recipes, 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!

Recipe