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Vanilla Mug Cake to the rescue! This soft and fluffy single-serve cake is full of colorful sprinkles and ready in minutes. It’s the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth without baking an entire cake.
This easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe is pure deliciousness in a mug – one of my favorite single-serving desserts. It’s light, airy, and has that classic vanilla cupcake flavor we all know and love. Plus, the sprinkles add a fun and festive touch that makes it perfect to enjoy without frosting.
And let’s be honest, sometimes you just want a little bit of cake without all the fuss. This recipe is quick, easy, and requires minimal cleanup – perfect for those nights when you need a sweet treat ASAP! I know I crave yellow cake often but I don’t want to make a whole batch – and that’s when this recipe is perfect.
Ingredient Notes
I cut this recipe down from my traditional birthday cake recipe – all the math is done for you! If you love a single serving cake (like my chocolate mug cake) this one is perfect for you.
- Egg Yolk: You only need half an egg, which I compensated for by using one large egg yolk. I tried it with the white and it didn’t turn out, so the fat in the yolk is needed for a soft and moist cake recipe.
- Vanilla Extract: Use a good quality to get that rich vanilla cake flavor.
- Flour: While I used all-purpose flour, you can also use gluten-free flour (the 1:1 AP flour). You’ll also need a pinch of salt and some baking powder.
- Butter: Like my cake recipe, this one starts with melted unsalted butter, although you can substitute vegetable oil to make it dairy-free.
- Milk: You can use any kind of milk (regular, fat free, low fat) or non-dairy milk (like almond milk).
How to make Vanilla Mug Cake
- While it might be easier to make the cake in the mug you’re cooking it in, I prefer to use a separate bowl.
- Whisk your dry ingredients, then stir the butter and sugar together and add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients.
- I always add sprinkles because they’re fun!
- You’ll need a microwave-safe mug or ramekin that is at least 7 ounces. The batter will rise as it cooks, so be sure that your vessel is big enough.
Expert Tips
- All microwaves cook differently so you might need less or more time. Once you make it a few times you’ll get to know how yours cooks.
- How do I know when it’s done? The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Be careful not to overfill the mug! The batter will rise as it cooks, so leave some room at the top.
- The cake won’t fill a regular size coffee mug all the way to the top.
- The texture is as close to the real thing as you’re going to get with a microwave cake, but know it won’t be exactly like the real thing.
- Can you bake this cake in an oven? Yes, at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes.
Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons (16g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon (14g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons (21g) granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tablespoons (3/4 ounce) milk (any kind)
- 1 teaspoon (5g) rainbow sprinkles , optional
Instructions
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.2 Tablespoons (16g) all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon baking powder, ⅛ teaspoon salt
- Whisk melted butter with sugar, then whisk in egg yolk and vanilla.1 tablespoon (14g) unsalted butter, melted, 2 tablespoons (21g) granulated sugar, 1 egg yolk, ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Stir in flour mixture and milk, then stir in rainbow sprinkles.1 ½ tablespoons (3/4 ounce) milk, 1 teaspoon (5g) rainbow sprinkles
- Spray a mug or ramekin (at least 7oz size) with nonstick cooking spray. Add the cake batter.
- Cook for approximately 1 minute on high in the microwave, or until a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs.
- Cool before eating.
Recipe Notes
- All microwaves cook differently so your cake might take a little less time or a little more time depending on how it cooks.
