Easy Fluffy Vanilla Mug Cake

V is for Vanilla Bean Paste!

This year I'm participating in a bi-weekly challenge with some blogging friends to post recipes using all of the letters in the alphabet.  It can feature a food that begins with the letter of the week or the recipe name can contain the week's letter.

When it came time to choose this week's recipe, I had two things steering the way. I was craving cake, and my wonderful friend had gifted me some Bourbon Vanilla Bean Paste. Instead of making a full cake, I grabbed this Vanilla Mug Cake recipe from Taste of Home.

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What You’ll Need

• 1 tablespoon butter, melted

• 3 tablespoons milk, room temperature

• 1 egg yolk, room temperature

• 1/2 teaspoon Bourbon vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)

• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

• Pinch of salt

• 2 tablespoons sprinkles (optional)

• Toppings: vanilla frosting, ice cream, or whipped cream

How to Make A Mug Cake

1. First, spray the mug with cooking spray and then add the "wet" ingredients, milk, melted butter, and an egg yolk. Cooling the butter slightly and using room temperature milk helps everything mix together smoothly.

2.  Add in the room temperature egg yolk and this is the time to add the flavoring. I used 1/2 teaspoon of Bourbon Vanilla Bean Paste, which smells amazing.

3. Next up, the dry ingredients, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.  Measure them directly into the mug and stir them together.

4. Add in two tablespoons of sprinkles. You could also use chocolate chips or another kind of baking chips.

5. Microwave for approximately 2 1/2 minutes.  You want to use a toothpick or a cake tester to be sure it's cooked all the way to the bottom.  Be careful, the mug will be hot!

I chose to top mine with some warmed up vanilla frosting and some more sprinkles. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream would also be excellent.

Tips for the Perfect Mug Cake

• Use room temperature milk and egg yolk to avoid clumps.

• Adjust cooking time for your microwave’s wattage.

• Experiment with mix-ins like chocolate chips, mini M&Ms, or cinnamon.

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Serving Suggestions

• Top with vanilla frosting, a scoop of ice cream, or whipped cream.

• You can poke holes in the cake and pour warmed frosting over for a gooey finish.

• Make it festive with sprinkles or drizzle with chocolate sauce for a party-ready single serve dessert.

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FAQs

Can I use regular vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean paste?
Yes! You can substitute 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract for the Bourbon Vanilla Bean Paste. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.

Can I make this in a non-microwave oven?
Yes, you can bake it in a preheated 350°F oven for 10–12 minutes in a small ramekin. Check doneness with a toothpick.

Can I make this dairy-free?
Absolutely. Use a plant-based milk and a dairy-free butter alternative. The texture may be slightly different but still tasty.

Can I double or triple the recipe for more servings?
You can, but it’s easiest to make multiple single-serve mugs rather than trying to scale the batter in one large mug.

How do I know when it’s done?
The mug cake is done when a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Microwaves vary, so check carefully.

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I was pleasantly surprised how light and fluffy it turned out. The cake pulled away from the sides a bit and that allowed the frosting to run down to the bottom of the cup but you could also poke holes in it with a skewer and pour the warmed frosting over the top.

 

Have you ever tried a mug cake? What’s your favorite flavor or add-in? Drop a comment below, I’d love to hear what were winners for you. 

Thank you again to Wendy for hosting the 2024 Alphabet Challenge and to the other bloggers for sharing their recipes this week! Check them out using the links down below! You can see all the recipes I've made for the challenge here- Alphabet Challenge 2024.

Vanilla Mug Cake

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons milk, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon Bourbon Vanilla Bean Paste
• 7 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons sprinkles
• Optional: pre-made or homemade vanilla frosting, sprinkles for decoration

Instructions

1. Spray a 16-ounce (2-cup) microwave-safe coffee mug with cooking spray.
2. Combine milk and butter in mug; whisk in egg yolk and vanilla bean paste. Add flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; stir to combine. Add sprinkles; stir to combine.
3. Microwave on high until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 2-1/2 minutes; mug will be hot. Serve immediately, topped with warmed frosting and additional sprinkles, if desired.

Notes

Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/vanilla-mug-cake/

Other recipes you may enjoy:

Very Vanilla Slow Cooker Cheesecake

Homemade Vanilla Superfudge Brownie Ice Cream

Vanilla Citrus Cider

Vanilla, mug cake,

Cake, Easy dessert, Microwaveable

American

 

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