There is something just so yum about a classic vanilla cake. Well shrink that down into single-serving size and you have this sweet vanilla mug cake with an easy creamy vanilla frosting. It is so addicting (but there won’t be any leftovers to snarf down so you don’t have to worry! Lol). If you have 3 minutes, you can make this microwave vanilla cake recipe…let’s do it!
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Fluffy Vanilla Cake in a Mug
I was looking at the mug cake recipes I already have on my blog and I realized I didn’t have a vanilla mug cake recipe yet.
There is a funfetti mug cake which has a vanilla cake base, but it is definitely not a pure vanilla cake recipe.
I already have two chocolate mug cake recipes: this healthy chocolate mug cake, and this rich and gooey hot chocolate bomb mug cake. Both are totally yum.
But vanilla cake can be totally yum too and I have this gorgeous vanilla extract that I wanted to use in a recipe, so here we go!
Related recipe: Sugar Cookie Mug Cake.
Imitation Vanilla vs Vanilla Extract
And if you are wondering, can I use imitation vanilla extract in this vanilla cake recipe – no, no, no!
Please don’t break my heart.
Or your taste buds.
There really is no comparison.
I guess you could get away with imitation vanilla extract in some recipes (though I really wouldn’t), but definitely not in a vanilla mug cake, where the vanilla is the star ingredient! This pure vanilla is a great price, and well worth it for this vanilla cake recipe.
Related recipe: Angel food cake in a mug (without boxed cake mix)
Easy Vanilla Frosting
You only need a fork y’all, to make this delicious creamy vanilla frosting. No mixing bowl or having to clean beaters or anything like that.
The frosting tastes amazing on this birthday cake mug cake recipe too.
This is a mug cake recipe and I wanted to keep it simple and quick to make.
I actually wasn’t sure if my frosting idea would work. I thought maybe the vanilla buttercream would come out sort of lumpy if we weren’t using a mixer, but no my friends, we are smooooth!
The trick is you must use butter that is softened. You don’t want melted butter but it should be quite soft so it will mix with the icing sugar easily.
If you’re like me and you haven’t left the butter out so it’s hard as a brick in the fridge, I gotchu! Your microwave time may vary, but I measure out the amount I need and microwave it on the DEFROST setting (super important so you don’t melt it!) for around 20 seconds. It works really well.
Your microwave might take more or less time but make sure you use the defrost setting and you are golden.
With the softened butter, you just add the icing sugar and vanilla and mix with a fork. I add half the icing sugar at a time, get it all mixed in, and then add the other half. It works beautifully!
And the result?
Delicious, creamy, vanilla frosting you will want to just eat with a spoon – it’s so good.
I also really like this vanilla frosting on my blueberry mug muffin recipe – it just makes it more dessert-y than breakfast-y!
Tips & Tricks for Making This Vanilla Mug Cake
For the cooking time – this can vary with different microwaves and also with different mug sizes. It took my microwave 60 seconds to cook perfectly. The first time you make this mug bread, watch your microwave.
Test doneness, and if it needs a bit more time, add on 15 seconds at a time until it’s fully cooked. The next time you make it, you’ll know exactly how long it takes in your microwave!
You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour mix (like this one) instead of the regular flour in this mug cake recipe. Coconut flour will not work as a sub in this recipe; I haven’t tried with almond flour. Almond flour might work, but you might need to adjust the microwave time a little. You can also try these almond flour mug cake recipes.
If you’d like to make a vegan version of this vanilla mug cake, it’s super easy. This recipe already doesn’t have any eggs in it, so you just need to use a non-dairy milk and a vegan butter instead of regular butter. Earth Balance is by far by favorite vegan butter, and the one I used in my own local organic bakery.
Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe
Vanilla Mug Cake
There is something just so yum about a classic vanilla cake. Well shrink that down into single-serving size and you have this sweet vanilla mug cake with an easy creamy vanilla frosting! If you have 3 minutes, you can make this delicious microwave vanilla cake recipe…let’s do it!
Mug Cake
- 4 tbsp regular flour (or whole wheat flour, or gluten-free all-purpose flour mix)
- 2-3 tbsp sugar (any granulated sugar, white, coconut sugar, erythritol, etc)
- 1 ½ tbsp melted butter or oil ( (or coconut oil, any oil works) (vegan butter, melted))
- 3 tbsp milk (any kind (cow, almond, oat, soy, etc))
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp pure vanilla extract
Easy Vanilla Frosting
- 2 tbsp softened butter (not melted) (or vegan butter)
- ¼ cup icing sugar (or powdered erythritol)
- 1 small splash pure vanilla
Vanilla Mug Cake
Mix the flour, sugar, and baking powder in a small bowl.
Stir in the milk and vanilla, and then the melted butter (or oil).
Pour the batter into a sprayed microwave-safe mug.
Microwave on high for 90 seconds to 2 ½ minutes depending on your microwave.
Check for doneness at 90 seconds and add time if you need to.
Put the cake aside and make the frosting!
Vanilla Frosting
If your butter isn't already softened, use your microwave on defrost setting to soften it (20 second intervals until soft).
Add in the splash of vanilla.
Add 2 tablespoons of icing sugar and use a fork or spoon to mix it in well with the butter.
Add the rest of the icing sugar and mix it in well.
Spread over your warm vanilla mug cake and enjoy!
Now go forth and eat (vanilla) cake! 🙂
And if you love peanut butter, you should totally try this 3-ingredient peanut butter mug cake – it’s magical.
If you are more into fruit desserts, try this 2-minute strawberry mug cake.
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Delicious!
Needed something sweet, easy and not chocolate (for after dinner). Made a quick peanut butter frosting. I was amazed at how good it really turned out! I’m going to try the 3 ingredient peanut butter cake next time…
Thank you for this amazing recipe 🤗
Yay! Thanks for trying my vanilla mug cake Denise, and glad you loved it. I also love that 3-ingredient pb mug cake (though I make it 4 ingredients with chocolate chips!)