This easy Vanilla Mug Cake recipe is the fastest way to make a cake for one that cooks in the microwave in under 2 minutes. With just a few simple ingredients, no eggs, and minimal effort, you can indulge in a single serving dessert that you don’t have to share!
The BEST Vanilla Mug Cake
Our easy Vanilla Mug Cake, sometimes called a cupcake in a mug, is the ultimate sweet treat in a perfectly portioned, single-serving size!
Ready from start to finish in under four minutes, this vanilla cake in a cup recipe is full of classic vanilla flavor, lots of colorful sprinkles, and topped with pretty pink frosting – it looks like a cupcake in a mug that’s made entirely in the microwave!
Cooking mug cakes in the microwave is like making a miracle small-batch, no-bake cake for one, because sometimes you need just a few bites to tame a sweet tooth craving.
Because a cake made in a mug using only a few ingredients, microwaved for 90 seconds, and fancied up with your favorite toppings is the best!
Why We Love This Vanilla Cake In A Mug Recipe
- Quick and easy to make in less than 4 minutes.
- Uses simple kitchen staple ingredients.
- Mug cake recipes cook light, fluffy, and moist cakes entirely in the microwave; no baking needed!
- Tasty treat when you don’t want to spend a lot of time cooking.
- Perfect dessert when you want to sample a slice or take a few bites when you don’t want to bake an entire cake.
Vanilla Mug Cake Ingredients
- Self-rising flour
- Granulated sugar
- Whole milk: I prefer to use whole milk for this recipe because it gives this cake a richer taste. However, you can use 2%, 1%, skim, or even almond milk if you prefer.
- Salted sweet cream butter
- Vanilla extract
- Colorful sprinkles
- Premade whipped vanilla frosting
- Red food color gel (optional)
Substitutions and Additions
- Vegan Vanilla Mug Cake: You can ditch the dairy in this recipe to make a dairy-free, vegan version. Use your favorite non-dairy milk, (like almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk), and use dairy-free butter. Make sure to check the labels on your whipped frosting and sprinkles too or leave them out entirely.
- Add-In Ideas: Feel free to add your favorite mix-ins for extra texture and flavor. While you don’t want to add a lot, you can easily add a few additions. Some ideas include sprinkles, candy pieces, crushed cookies, mini chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and chopped nuts.
- Tasty Toppings: Instead of topping your cupcake in a mug with frosting, try it with a scoop of ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, caramel or chocolate sauce, chopped nuts, fresh berries, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
How to Make Vanilla Mug Cake
- Make The Mixture: Whisk together the flour and sugar. Stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla and fold in the sprinkles.
- Microwave In The Mug: Microwave for 1 minute 30 seconds. Allow the cake to rest for 20-30 seconds.
Pro Tip: Depending on your microwave, you may need to add an extra 5 seconds. - Tint And Top: Stir food coloring into the frosting and pipe it over the top center of the cake. Add the remaining sprinkles over the frosting. Enjoy!
Tip for the Best Cupcake in a Mug!
- Using a wider and shorter cup works best and makes it easier to scoop out your cake.
- Keep a close eye on the cake while it’s in the microwave and cook it until the center is just set.
- You can substitute whipped topping for the frosting.
How to Store a Mug Cake
- To Store: This is a 1 serving recipe and is meant to be enjoyed in 1 sitting.
More Easy Mug Cake Recipes
Other Easy Dessert Recipes
- 3-Ingredient Cake Mix Cookies
- Easy Chocolate Fudge
- Caramel Apple Dump Cake
- Easy no-bake cheesecake bites
- Orange Cake
Cupcake In A Mug
Serves — 1
Our Vanilla Mug Cake is the is the fastest and easiest way to cook a cupcake in a mug in a matter of minutes. Perfect for portion control, this recipe makes a delicious dessert for one or two, depending on how you feel about sharing.
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 4 minutes
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons self-rising flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons whole milk
- 2 tablespoons salted sweet cream butter melted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons colorful sprinkles divided 1½ tablespoons for the cake and ½ tablespoon for garnish
- ¼ cup premade whipped vanilla frosting
- 2 drops red food color gel optional
Instructions
- Add the flour and granulated sugar to a 12-ounce microwave-safe mug. Whisk to combine.
- Stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the mug to combine thoroughly.
- Fold in the sprinkles.
- Microwave for 1 minute 30 seconds (depending on your microwave, you may need to add an extra 5 seconds). Allow the cake to rest for 20-30 seconds.
- Add the premade frosting to a small bowl. Add 1-2 drops of red food coloring gel. Stir well until the color is uniform. Spoon the tinted frosting into either a disposable piping bag or a quart-size ziplock bag with a corner snipped off. Evenly squeeze the frosting over the top center of the cake. Sprinkle the remaining sprinkles over the frosting.
Jenn’s Notes
Storage:
- To Store: This is a 1 serving recipe and is meant to be enjoyed in 1 sitting.
- Using a wider and shorter cup works best and makes it easier to scoop out your cake.
- Keep a close eye on the cake while it’s in the microwave and cook it until the center is just set.
- You can substitute whipped topping for the frosting.
Nutrition Info
Calories: 656kcal | Carbohydrates: 84g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 307mg | Potassium: 119mg | Sugar: 81g | Vitamin A: 797IU | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 0.1mg
GREAT Recipe Jennifer 👍🏼♥️My Grandaughters LOVE ❤️ 👏🏼 THIS ❗️❗️ She Saw Pancakes With Sprinkles On A Breakfast Menu And WAS ENTHRALLED 😳❗️❗️YUM❗️ And I’ve BEEN Watching WHAT I’m Eating SO Cup Size Is JUST Right 👏🏼♥️THANKS ❗️G-d♥️Bless