This 5-minute vanilla mug cake is your perfect solution for those sudden dessert cravings. With just 3 minutes of prep and 2 minutes in the microwave, you’ll have a warm, fluffy cake that serves one. It’s incredibly simple yet satisfies your sweet tooth with its rich vanilla flavor.
The best part? You won’t have to deal with leftovers or spend hours in the kitchen. Each heavenly bite delivers the perfect balance of moisture and sweetness, making it an ideal late-night treat.
Ingredient List
- All-purpose flour: ¼ cup + 1½ teaspoons, sifted for smoothness
- Sugar: 2 tablespoons, adds perfect sweetness
- Baking powder: ¼ teaspoon, key for fluffiness
- Salt: Just a dash, enhances flavor
- Butter: 2 tablespoons, melted and slightly cooled
- Milk: 3 tablespoons, room temperature
- Vanilla extract: ½ teaspoon, for classic flavor
- Sprinkles: 1 teaspoon, for fun decoration
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in your favorite mug
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract, stirring until well combined
- Add Fun: Gently fold in colorful sprinkles for a festive touch
- Microwave: Cook for 70-90 seconds until cake is set but still slightly glossy on top
- Rest: Let your cake rest in microwave for 1 minute to complete cooking process
Microwave Tips
Hey there! Since this cake is made in the microwave, let me share some friendly tips. Every microwave is different, so start checking your cake at 70 seconds.
The cake is ready when it’s just set but still has a tiny bit of shine on top – this keeps it nice and moist! If you use a bigger mug, you might need less time, while smaller mugs could need the full 90 seconds.
Fun Variations
Want to switch things up? You can make this cake your own! Try chocolate sprinkles instead of rainbow ones, or add a drop of food coloring for a fun color. If you’re out of vanilla extract, almond extract works great too. And if you’re feeling extra fancy, try mixing in a few mini chocolate chips – they get all melty and delicious!
Serving Ideas
While this mug cake is super yummy on its own, you can dress it up! Try adding a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on top – it melts into the warm cake and creates an amazing sauce. A dollop of whipped cream and extra sprinkles makes it extra special. For a quick treat, just grab a spoon and dig in right from the mug while it’s warm!
Storage Tips
This recipe makes one perfect single serving, meant to be eaten right away while it’s warm and fluffy. The magic of mug cakes is in eating them fresh! If you need to save it for later, cover the mug with plastic wrap and eat within a few hours. Just know that the texture is best when enjoyed right after that one-minute rest time.
Vanilla Mug Cake
Equipment
- Microwave
- Mug
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour plus 1½ teaspoons
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 dash salt
- 2 tablespoon butter melted
- 3 tablespoon milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon sprinkles
Instructions
- Add flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt to a mug and stir together.
- Stir in milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth, being sure to scrape the bottom of the mug.
- Stir in sprinkles.
- Cook in microwave for 70-90 seconds* (until cake is just set, but still barely shiny on top).
- Allow to rest in microwave for 1 minute before consuming.
