Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (2024)

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This vanilla mug cake with chocolate chips is quick and easy to make in the microwave. It’s the perfect single serve dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (1)

Have you tried my famous chocolate mug cake? Hundreds of people are raving about it… just read the comment section!

Because that recipe has been so popular, I decided to try to make a vanilla mug cake that was just as good. It turned out to be quite a difficult task! I tried dozens of recipes and every time I was disappointed. Some were really weird textures. Others had no flavor. I kept experimenting with different variables and ingredient ratios and I think I finally have it… a vanilla mug cake that is actuallyreally yummy!

How To Make a Mug Cake

It’s super easy to make a mug cake. You just stir up small amounts of common baking ingredients in a coffee mug, then put the mug into the microwave on high to bake. You end up with a single serving of cake in minutes!

Mug cakes are my go-to late night treat after I’ve put my kids to bed. I love that I can have a small serving of something sweet and then I only have to wash one cup and a spoon.

Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (2)

Vanilla Mug Cake Ingredients

This vanilla mug cake recipe only has eight ingredients and they are all very basic pantry ingredients that you probably already have on hand: flour, brown sugar, baking powder, milk, vanilla, butter, salt and chocolate chips!

I used all-purpose flour, but cake flour or bread flour would both work just fine.

If you don’t have butter, you could substitute margarine or even vegetable oil, although I prefer the flavor that the real butter gives the cake.

Use the type of vanilla extract you prefer. I personally don’t like the taste of pure vanilla extract, so I use imitation. Vanilla bean paste would be amazing if you’re feeling fancy. You can also double the amount of vanilla if you want to increase flavor even more.

I have not tested non-dairy milk alternatives, so proceed with those substitutions at your own risk. A non-dairy milk could change the texture substantially.

Vanilla Mug Cake Variations

I prefer a sprinkling of chocolate chips in my vanilla mug cake, but it’s also delicious with other add-ins. Here are a few yummy variation ideas:

  • Plop a spoonful of fruity jam into the center of the mixed batter before cooking for a fruit-filled vanilla cake.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of colorful sprinkles for a Funfetti mug cake.
  • Try different flavors of baking chips. I’ve seen butterscotch, vanilla, peanut butter, mint and even unicorn rainbow swirl chips at the store that would all be delicious (but maybe not all at the same time, LOL).
  • Stir a dash of cinnamon into the batter, then sprinkle brown sugar on the top before baking and it tastes like a snickerdoodle cookie.

Anyway, I’m so happy that I now have TWO amazing mug cake recipes to switch between. I hope that you’ll give this recipe a try, then try the chocolate mug cake too if you haven’t already.

Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (3)

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Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (4)

Vanilla Mug Cake

Prep Time 1 min

Cook Time 1 min

Total Time 2 mins


This vanilla mug cake recipe with chocolate chips is a delicious single serve dessert you cook in a coffee mug in the microwave.

Equipment

  • 1 coffee mug

  • microwave

  • spoon

Ingredients

  • 1/2 TBSP Butter
  • 3 TBSP Milk
  • 1/4 tsp Vanilla
  • 4 TBSP All Purpose Flour
  • 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
  • 2 tsp Brown Sugar
  • pinch Salt
  • 2 TBSP Chocolate Chips Optional

Instructions

  • Add butter and milk to a regular sized coffee mug. Microwave until the butter is melted.

  • Add vanilla, flour, baking powder, sugar and salt and stir until batter is smooth without lumps.

  • Add chocolate chips and stir to distribute, then sprinkle a few more on top.

  • Bake in the microwave for 50-60 seconds until batter is cooked through. Cool for a few minutes before devouring.

  • Optional: top with ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

Every microwave cooks differently, so it may take some experimenting to get this recipe exactly right. Start by cooking it for 50 seconds, then check to see if it’s done all the way through. Add an additional 10 seconds as needed, or until the dough is firm all the way to the bottom of the cup.

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    Comments & Reviews

  1. Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (5)Linda says

    What do you consider a “regular” size mug?

    Reply

    • Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (6)Jennifer says

      8-10 ounces

      Reply

  2. Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (7)Jennifer Jones says

    I love your recipe, this is going to be a favourite fir my granddaughter

    Reply

  3. Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (8)Thomas says

    Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (9)
    This is a cake that my son loves. I followed your recipe yesterday. The cake was delicious and the taste was great. Thanks for the great article.

    Reply

  4. Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (10)Nancy Sturm says

    calories?

    Reply

    • Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (11)Julie Layton says

      If you have to ask how many calories, then you shouldn’t be eating some called cake”.

      Reply

  5. Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (12)Kathleen Shepard says

    Anyone used GF flour?

    Reply

  6. Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (13)Doreen ee says

    Can I use oven instead of microwave.if yes at what temperature and for how long to bake.with great thanks for your advise

    Reply

    • Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (14)Jennifer says

      I have never tried it, so I’m not going to be very much help.

      Reply

  7. Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (15)Trish says

    Can you use almond milk in place of milk?

    Reply

    • Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (16)Jennifer says

      Probably? I’ve never tried it, but feel free to experiment.

      Reply

  8. Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (17)JerryCarolyn says

    Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (18)
    Very easy and very good!!

    Reply

  9. Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (19)Flossie says

    Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (20)
    YUM! And not too sweet. Thank you!

    Reply

  10. Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (21)Addison Herkert says

    Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (22)
    So good definitely will be a favorite for my daughter.

    Reply

  11. Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (23)Genisha bundhoo says

    Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (24)
    i didn’t have baking powder so what did i save this page then in the moring i went to the market i bought some browon sugar and some baking powder then i went prepraed it it was so good omg i must give this 5 star

    Reply

  12. Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (25)Erica says

    Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (26)
    I just made this recipe gluten and dairy free and it was delicious! I am not allergic to gluten and dairy so I could make it the normal way however my boyfriend is allergic to both. I have been testing out different recipes to make him. My subs were bob’s 1 to 1 baking flour, country crock olive oil plant butter, unsweetened almond milk, and enjoy life mini baking chips. It took one minute to cook in my microwave. It didn’t rise much and was pretty dense, but it tasted really good! I know my boyfriend will be happy with this recipe. 🙂

    Reply

  13. Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (27)Tia says

    Followed recipe exactly and it turned out great! Thanks!

    Reply

  14. Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (28)giovanna trento says

    Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (29)
    wow its done in a few seconds

    Reply

  15. Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (30)Martina says

    Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (31)
    AMAZING, THE TEXTURE IS INCREDIBLE ✨✨✨

    Reply

  16. Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (32)abigail says

    Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (33)
    I’ve tried a fair amount of mug cake recipes and this is one of the best–I’ve made it again and again!

    Reply

  17. Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (34)1973lizzy says

    Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (35)
    Altogether the cake is really good very chewy though I would suggest adding a lot more chocolate chips

    Reply

  18. Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (36)Miriam says

    Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (37)
    We are overwhelmed by this amaaazing mug cake recipe! We were just thinking about what to eat when we found this page. And once we baked it,… maaaan it’s greattt.
    Eat it with Nutella though!!!😋

    ~with love from Germany, Klara and Miri

    Reply

  19. Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (38)kami-chan says

    Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (39)
    i really liked this cake. i chopped up a hershey bar and put it it in, and it was great! i also put in some orange slices after baking to make it a bit like those british orange chocolate things and that made it even better! thank you, recipe maker :)))

    Reply

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Best Ever Easy Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips (2024)

FAQs

Why did my mug cake turn out rubbery? ›

This is likely because your mug is too small, or you added too much baking powder. Measure accurately and make sure your mug is at least 10oz in volume. Why is my chocolate mug cake rubbery or dry? A rubbery mug cake is indicative of being overcooked, or incorrect measurements.

Why is my mug cake not fluffy? ›

You didn't use self-rising flour

This type of flour gives these baked goods a light and fluffy consistency. Without all the right science involved with flour and other ingredients, cakes can be too dense and dry.

Why is my mug cake so gooey? ›

Just like regular sized cakes baked in an oven, the center should be cooked. Gooey in general means undercooked. Not only does that not taste that great in my opinion, it's also safer to fully cook your batter.

Why is my mug cake so dry? ›

Many protein mug cake recipes suffer from dryness because they don't contain enough fat. They use wheat or oat flour, protein powder, and no eggs or oils. Naturally, it's going to be very dry with these ingredients.

Why don't mug cakes use eggs? ›

It's easy to see why—most classic cake recipes call for two or three eggs and serve at least 10 people. So for a single-serving mug cake, just skip the egg; a whole egg will overpower the small amount of batter (and it's pretty tough to divide an egg in quarters).

Why does my mug cake taste bitter? ›

If you purposely or accidentally used baking soda instead of baking powder without making any changes to your recipe, you'll definitely end up with a bitter taste. Remember, baking soda is an alkaline, or base, ingredient that naturally has a bitter taste. Baking powder is a multi-ingredient leavener.

Why don't mug cakes work? ›

The small size of the treat, particularly the mug you make it in, may limit your ability to properly mix your ingredients together. A regular whisk, for instance, is too big to reach into the space where the wall meets the base, so you might end up with clumps of unmixed dry ingredients at the bottom.

Which makes the cake fluffy? ›

Cakes and pastries are fluffy and light in nature due to the presence of baking soda in it. When baking soda is combined with both an acidic ingredient and a liquid, it becomes activated. Upon activation, Carbon dioxide is produced, which allows baked products to rise and become light and fluffy.

Can you eat mug cake cold? ›

This cake is perfect as is or with a little dollop of something special on top like whipped cream, melted peanut butter, or a little spread of frosting. However you decide to eat it: hot or cold, with toppings or without; you're going to be so thankful you've got this quick and easy desert in your repertoire!

Does mug cake taste good? ›

as of flavor, it's not as great as an actual cake but it's good enough to kill the cravings. i usually add cinnamon and/or cocoa to make them tastier! sometimes instead of milk i use coffee (as in, add a tablespoon of instant coffee to the milk bc i'm too lazy to actually make coffee if i'm making a mug cake).

Why does my mug cake taste like flour? ›

Homemade cakes can taste like flour if they are not cooked properly. When cakes taste like flour, it is due to one or more reasons; the ratio of wet to dry ingredients could be off, the components may not have been mixed properly, or the cake is undercooked.

Are baking soda and baking powder the same? ›

Baking soda and baking powder are not the same. Sodium bicarbonate and bicarbonate of soda are other names for baking soda. Baking powder is made of baking soda plus cream of tartar and cornstarch. Baking powder can be substituted for baking soda by tripling the amount of baking powder.

What causes a cake not to be moist? ›

The ratio of wet to dry ingredients determines a cake's moisture level. If there's simply too much flour and not enough butter, a cake will taste dry. On the other hand, if there's too much milk and not enough flour, a cake will taste too wet. Finding the right balance between wet and dry ingredients is key.

How do you dry a sweaty cake? ›

It's possible to remove condensation from cakes. After a cake comes out of the fridge it will take a few minutes before condensation droplets start to appear. The hotter the room, the sooner you'll see the droplets. Take a paper towel and gently press it against the cake and it will absorb the condensation.

Why is my cake dense or gummy? ›

Your cake is too dense A cake that is overly dense typically has too much liquid, too much sugar or too little leavening (not excess flour, as is commonly thought).

Why is my coffee cake gummy? ›

Why is my cake dense or gummy? What might have happened: Too much flour was added to the batter. The cake batter was over-mixed.

What happens if you overcook a cake? ›

When overcooked, a cake will come out hard and dry, and when undercooked, it has a gummy and dense texture. If you don't know how to tell when your cake is just cooked right, then baking will become a very tedious and unrewarding task.

Why is my cake batter gluey? ›

Overmixing the batter can increase gluten, to a dense and sticky texture. Mix the ingredients until simply combined and keep away from excessive stirring. This guarantees a soft texture and prevents stickiness on the top.

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