Okay, so you know that feeling when it’s 8:30pm, you want something sweet, and you are absolutely not driving to the store for it? Yeah, this is the recipe for that. We’re talking a fluffy little vanilla cake, made right in your mug, done in the time it takes to microwave a hot pocket. No eggs, no fuss, no dishes piling up in the sink.
Would you like to save this recipe?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
If you’ve made my Nutella mug cake before, this is its sweet, simple cousin, same idea, straight-up vanilla, and honestly just as satisfying.
What You’re Grabbing From the Pantry
Flour, sugar, a pinch of salt, vanilla, butter, milk. That’s it ; no special trip required. You’ve probably got every single one of these sitting in your kitchen right now.
Lets make it!
Step One: Dump your dry stuff into the mug; flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and give it a good mix. I use an 8-ounce clear glass mug so I can watch it puff up in the microwave (very satisfying, 10/10 would recommend).
Step Two: In a separate little bowl, mix your wet ingredients; milk, vanilla, melted butter then pour that into the mug and stir until smooth. Don’t skip mixing them separately first; it’s the secret to a cake that’s fluffy instead of dense and sad.
Step Three: Microwave for 1-2 minutes. Every microwave’s a little different (mine’s 750 watts and takes the full 2), so keep an eye on it, you want the top set and springy, not wet and jiggly. Let it cool a couple minutes before you dive in, unless you enjoy burning the roof of your mouth (no judgment).
Dress It Up However You Want
- Honestly, this cake’s good enough to eat plain. But if you want to make it feel a little fancier:
- Scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, because why not
- A dollop of homemade whipped cream never hurt anybody
- Swirl in some peanut butter or Nutella for a little frosting situation
A Couple Notes So Yours Turns Out Right
Room temp milk matters more than you’d think — cold milk makes the melted butter seize back up, and you’ll end up with weird little butter flecks instead of a smooth batter. So let that milk sit out a few minutes first.
And yes, you can bake this in the oven if you don’t have a microwave handy; bake at 350°F for about 15 minutes in an oven-safe mug or ramekin does the trick.
Next time that sweet tooth hits and you don’t want to deal with a whole cake, a mixer, and a sink full of dishes, this is your move.
Vanilla Mug Cake
Ingredients
Recipe Directions
- To start, mix together the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt) in a microwave-safe mug. I used an 8-ounce clear glass mug.
- In a small bowl mix the wet ingredients(milk, vanilla, and butter) and add to dry ingredients and mix until the cake batter is smooth.
- Microwave the mug cake for 1-2 minutes, depending on your microwave's wattage. The top of the cake should be set and springy to the touch. My microwave is a 750 watt and it took 2 minutes.
- Let the mug cake cool for about 5 minutes, then top with your favorite toppings.
Would you like to save this recipe?
We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Nutrition
Notes
- The key to a fluffy texture is to mix the wet and dry ingredients separately before combining them. This helps to ensure that the batter is evenly mixed and doesn’t become too dense.
- Using room temperature milk also helps to create a lighter cake, as cold milk can cause the melted butter to solidify.
VERY GOOOOODDD