• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cookie Dough Diaries
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Cookies
    • Brownies and Bars
    • No Bake Desserts
    • Cakes and Cupcakes
    • Muffins, Scones, and Loaves
    • Vegan Desserts
    • Drinks & Smoothies
  • About
    • About Me
    • FAQ
  • Work With Me
    • Portfolio
  • Subscribe
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Work With Me
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home > Recipes > Cakes and Cupcakes > Vegan Vanilla Mug Cake

    Vegan Vanilla Mug Cake

    Published on March 10, 2022. Last updated on September 12, 2022. By Gabby. 2 Comments

    79 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    This post contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here.

    Jump to Recipe

    This vegan vanilla mug cake is soft, fluffy, and it’s the perfect portion for one person! It takes just 60 seconds to cook and less than 5 minutes total - including prep time!

    Vegan vanilla mug cake in a large mug pictured on a plate with a fork

    With all the baking I do, every once in a while I crave something quick and easy that doesn’t require much work and won’t leave a pile of dishes in my sink.

    On those days, mug cakes satisfy my cravings every time! This chocolate mug cake has been my go-to, but now I’ve added this vegan vanilla mug cake into my rotation and it always hits the spot!

    This mug cake is easy to make and perfect for when you want just enough dessert for yourself, without having to make a whole cake.

    The texture is light and fluffy and you can add chocolate chips or sprinkles to take it up a notch!

    Why You'll Love This Mug Cake

    • This vegan cake in a mug is ready in 5 minutes - with prep time included!
    • All the ingredients in this recipe are simple pantry staples, so you probably already have them in your kitchen.
    • If you don’t have a microwave, I’ve included an oven method as well.
    • This mug cake is delicious topped with vegan vanilla ice cream, vegan whipped cream (homemade or store-bought) or chocolate sauce! 
    • This recipe can be made oil free, refined sugar free, whole wheat, or gluten free too.
    • All you need is a mug, your measuring utensils, and a fork or small whisk, so there are hardly any dishes! Low effort but high reward!

    Ingredients Needed

    Vegan vanilla mug cake ingredients in separate bowls with labels
    • Flour: This mug cake recipe uses all purpose flour, but to make it either healthier or gluten free, you can also substitute it for whole wheat flour, oat flour, or gluten free 1-1 baking flour.
    • Butter: This recipe uses vegan butter because the butter adds a lovely flavor, but you can also use vegetable/canola oil, melted coconut oil, or unsweetened applesauce (replace at 1-1 ratio)
    • Vegan Milk: any vegan milk of your choice will work great.
    • Vanilla Extract: Real vanilla extract is best, since it’s the main flavor of this mug cake.
    • Granulated sugar: For a healthier refined sugar free version, you can replace the white sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup (if using maple syrup, you’ll need to add about a Tablespoon more flour).

    Step By Step Instructions

    Note: Full ingredient measurements and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

    Step One: If you’re using butter, add the butter to your mug and microwave for 10-20 seconds, or until the butter is melted. If you’re using vegetable oil, you can just add the oil to the mug.

    Step Two: Add sugar, vanilla extract, and milk to the mug. Use a fork, spoon, or a small whisk, to whisk until combined.

    wet ingredients in a mug on a tile background

    Step Three: Add in the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt to the mug, then whisk until fully combined and smooth.  Be sure to mix all the way down to the bottom of the mug to make sure the ingredients are mixed well. 

    Step Four: Microwave the mug cake for 45-65 seconds ( the timing will depend on your microwave), until the mug cake looks only slightly under-cooked on the very top.

    vanilla cake batter mixed in a mug before baking

    Oven Method

    No microwave? No problem! You can make this mug cake in the oven, it just won’t be as quick (it takes longer than 5 minutes in the oven unfortunately). A few notes if you are planning to make the mug cake in the oven:

    • If you're planning to use butter, you can melt the butter on the stovetop first, or you can just use oil to avoid more dishes for such a small amount of butter. 
    • If you’re using the oven method, you can use an oven-safe ramekin or small cup. I don’t recommend using a small cup or ramekin in the microwave method - the microwave cooks it really fast, which can cause the batter to overflow when it rises. The oven method cooks it slower, so the smaller ramekin is fine.

    Topping Suggestions

    Here are a few of my favorite toppings and mix-ins for this mug cake:

    • Add chocolate chips (dark, semisweet, or vegan white chocolate), or chopped up pieces of your favorite vegan chocolate bar into the batter after adding the dry ingredients. You can also add chocolate chips on top instead.
    • Sprinkles! Either in the batter for a funfetti-style mug cake or on top after the mug cake is done baking!
    • Drizzle your favorite nut butter on top!
    • Top with coconut whipped cream (homemade or store-bought) or any flavor of vegan ice cream
    • Drizzle some biscoff cookie butter spread or chocolate hazelnut spread on top
    • Store-bought vegan chocolate frosting! You can also use homemade if you have some on hand.
    • Chop up some Oreos or your favorite vegan chocolate wafers and stir them into the batter or sprinkle crumbs on top!
    Vegan vanilla mug cake with sprinkles in a large mug with a fork scooping the cake

    FAQs and Expert Tips

    What is a mug cake?

    A mug cake is a vegan cake in a mug! The ingredients are added to a medium sized coffee cup or large ramekin, baked in the mug, and then eaten right out of the mug. They are small portions (usually the perfect amount for one person), and baked in the microwave for around a minute.

    Why did my mug cake batter spill over the cup?

    Your mug was too small! The microwave cooks the mug cake really quickly, which causes the batter to quickly rise and spill over if your mug isn’t big enough. You should be using a regular to large sized coffee cup to avoid this, not a mini cup or ramekin.

    Can I bake this mug cake in the oven?

    You sure can! The recipe card at the bottom of this page contains instructions for the oven method.

     
    Can I make this vegan vanilla mug cake ahead of time?

    I don’t recommend making it ahead of time. As is the case with almost anything that is heated in the microwave, the mug cake will be dry, instead of light and fluffy if you try to make it ahead of time and eat it later. It’s so quick to make (5 minutes!) that it’s easier to just make it when you want to eat it. 
     
    If you’d like, you could measure out the dry ingredients in small containers or cups ahead of time then mix them with the wet ingredients later.

    Vanilla mug cake pictured with a piece of mug cake on the fork

    Expert Tips

    • Choose a big enough mug: Any regular to large coffee mugs will work fine for this mug cake, but if you use a really small mug or teacup, the cake batter will overflow out of the cup and make a big mess! The exception is if you are making the cake in the oven instead of the microwave, in which case a smaller ramekin will work fine.
    • Be sure to mix the ingredients all the way in the bottom of the cup, so that you don't miss any dry or wet ingredients in the bottom of the cup. The batter should be smooth with no lumps.
    • Don't overcook the mug cake! If you microwave it for too long, the texture will be dry. You may have to check on it a few times, but it should look slightly under-cooked on top when cooking in the microwave. With the oven method, you can test it with a toothpick and when it comes out clean, it’s ready.
    • Let the mug cake cool for around 5 minutes after it’s done: The mug will be very hot to the touch.
    • Eat the mug cake right away! The mug cake will dry out if you try to make it hours ahead of time or save it for tomorrow. If you use the oven method it won't dry out quite as quickly.

    Storage and Freezing Instructions

    This vegan vanilla mug cake should be enjoyed right away after it’s baked, and should not be frozen.

    More Recipes You'll Love

    • Vegan Mug Brownie
    • Sugar Cookie Dough (Edible)
    • Edible Brownie Batter
    • 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls

    If you make this recipe, let me know how it went in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you! You can also tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can check it out!

    Vegan vanilla mug cake with sprinkles with a folk removing a scoop of mug cake pictured from above

    Vegan Vanilla Mug Cake

    Gabby
    This vegan vanilla mug cake is soft, fluffy, and it’s the perfect portion for one person! It takes 60 seconds to cook and less than 5 minutes total - including prep time!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 4 mins
    Cook Time 1 min
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 mug cake
    Calories 386 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Regular Sized Mug or Ramekin

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1½ Tablespoons melted vegan butter, sunflower/canola/vegetable oil, or coconut oil
    • 3 Tablespoons vegan milk of choice
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar (sub coconut sugar or maple syrup for refined sugar free) SEE NOTES
    • 4½ Tablespoons all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, oat flour, or gluten free 1-1 baking flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • pinch of salt
    • sprinkles or chocolate chips (optional)

    Instructions
     

    Microwave Method

    • If you’re using butter, add the butter to your mug and microwave for 10-20 seconds, or until the butter is melted. If you’re using vegetable oil, you can just add the oil to the mug.
    • Add sugar, vanilla extract, and milk to the mug. Use a fork, spoon, or a small whisk to whisk until combined.
    • Add in the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt to the mug, then whisk until fully combined and smooth.  Be sure to mix all the way down to the bottom of the mug to make sure the ingredients are mixed well. Add in sprinkles or chocolate chips if desired.
    • Microwave the mug cake for 45-65 seconds ( the timing will depend on your microwave), until the mug cake looks only slightly under-cooked on the very top.

    Oven Method

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Melt the butter or coconut oil over the stove (or, for a quicker method with less dishes, skip this step and use sunflower or other neutral oil).
    • Add the butter or oil to an oven-safe mug, ramekin (3.5 - 4 inches), or bowl, then use a fork to mix in the sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.
    • Add in the flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix until no clumps remain and no bits of flour are left in the bottom of the dish. Stir in the chocolate chips or sprinkles if using.
    • Place in the oven and bake for 22-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Be careful removing the dish from the oven! Let it cool for 5 minutes then enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    Butter: You can use melted butter, canola/vegetable oil, or melted coconut oil at a 1-1 ratio, or you can use unsweetened applesauce for oil free.
    Flour: Whole wheat flour, oat flour, or gluten free 1-1 baking flour can be substituted by weight.
    Sugar: You can replace all of the granulated sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup for a refined sugar free version of this mug cake. If using maple syrup, add an extra ½ tablespoon of flour to counteract the extra liquid.
    Mug Size: If the mug is too small, the cake batter will spill over the sides in the microwave. I recommend using a regular sized coffee mug to avoid a mess! If using the oven method, the cake will rise slowly, so you can use a 3.5 or 4 inch ramekin if desired.
    Microwave: Microwave times can vary greatly! You can start at 40 seconds and increase from there until the mug cake looks cooked. The top will still look a little bit wet but it's better to under-cook than over-cook it. 
    Storage Instructions:
    Microwave Method: If you make this mug cake in the microwave, it should be enjoyed immediately. As with most food that gets microwaved, it will start to dry out if you leave it out for a few hours.
    Oven Method: If you use the oven method, the mug cake can be tightly covered with plastic wrap or aluminium foil and stored at room temperature for a few hours, up to one day.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 386kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 4gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 470mgPotassium: 52mgFiber: 1gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 751IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 184mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    The calorie information provided for this recipe is an estimate. The accuracy of the calories listed is not guaranteed.

    « Cornstarch Cookies (Biscoito de Maizena)
    Coffee Cookies »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. julie

      March 15, 2022 at 3:35 pm

      5 stars
      this was a great quick treat i added chocolate chips to mine and it was delicious

      Reply
      • Gabby

        March 15, 2022 at 3:38 pm

        Hi Julie! I'm so glad to hear that you loved the mug cake 🙂

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    photo of a girl laughing

    Hi Friend! I'm Gabby! I'm here to share easy, approachable dairy free/vegan dessert recipes that taste just like the real deal. Most recipes can be easily made with dairy products too, so there's something for everyone!

    Read more →

    Popular Recipes

    • Small Batch Brownies
    • Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
    • Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
    • Dairy Free Chocolate Cake
    • Biscoff Brownies
    • Cookie Monster Cookies

    Favorite Cookies

    • Oreo Red Velvet Cookies
    • Vegan Peanut Butter Oat Cookies
    • White Chocolate and Raspberry Cookies
    • Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies
    • Coffee Cookies
    • Biscoff Butter Cookies

    Featured In

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    Privacy Policy

    Keep In Touch

    Sign up for free e-book!

    Find us on Pinterest

    Find us on Facebook

    Find us on Instagram

    Join our Dairy Free Recipe & Support Group

    Contact

    Contact Me

    Work With Me

    As an affiliate partner, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you. I only recommend products I really use and love.

    Copyright © 2023 - Cookie Dough Diaries