Best Ever Vanilla Mug Cake with Chocolate Chips

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!

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 actually really 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. 

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.

New in 2024: I’ve adapted this winning recipe to make a fall dessert you are going to flip for. Try my Pumpkin Spice Mug Cake!

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