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Wife Mama Foodie

Making Healthy Taste Good

June 27, 2017

Healthier Vanilla Mug Cakes Three Ways

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This healthier vanilla mug cake takes less than 5 minutes from start to finish and is so fluffy and delicious! It only has a handful of basic ingredients and can easily be adapted to be completely gluten, dairy, & refined sugar free too!

Healthier Vanilla Mug Cakes Three Ways | Free of gluten, dairy, and refined sugar. Also vegan friendly! My late night sweet cravings are OUT OF CONTROL! It never fails, I’ll be watching tv with the family in the evening and once 9 or 10 o’clock rolls around, I want dessert, like now! I’ve even been known to begin baking close to midnight because I just had to have some chocolate chip cookies! 🙈

Well, thank goodness for mug cakes, because these babies only take a few minutes to throw together and are the perfect quick treat to satisfy your sweet cravings. Best of all, this delicious dessert doesn’t require the use of a mixer, cake pans, or oven either. Just a mug, microwave, and 5 minutes of your time. Can a homemade, from-scratch dessert get better than that?

Healthier Vanilla Mug Cakes Three Ways | Free of gluten, dairy, and refined sugar. Also vegan friendly! You better believe I’ve already created a chocolate version, so for all my vanilla people, this one’s for you! 

Now, you could make this vanilla cake and just enjoy it as is, but honestly that’s kind of boring. To me, vanilla is like a blank canvas in which to add other good stuff, amiright?  

Healthier Vanilla Mug Cakes Three Ways | Free of gluten, dairy, and refined sugar. Also vegan friendly!
Healthier Vanilla Mug Cakes Three Ways | Free of gluten, dairy, and refined sugar. Also vegan friendly!
Healthier Vanilla Mug Cakes Three Ways | Free of gluten, dairy, and refined sugar. Also vegan friendly! I included the basic vanilla cake recipe along with three flavor variations—vanilla cake with chocolate frosting, strawberry shortcake, and funfetti! 

I love vanilla cake with strawberries, but I’m also a sucker for a good vanilla cake with chocolate frosting, so I had to include those variations. The kids love all things fun and colorful so they enjoyed their funfetti version made with naturally dyed sprinkles! What’s your favorite vanilla cake variation? Let me know in the comments below! 

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Healthier Vanilla Mug Cakes Three Ways


  • Author: Joscelyn Abreu
  • Total Time: 4 mins
  • Yield: 1 serving 1x
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Description

This simple dessert is perfect for individual servings and takes less than 5 minutes from start to finish! I included a gluten, dairy, and refined sugar free variations as well!


Ingredients

Scale

Vanilla Mug Cake:*

  • 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour or gluten-free all-purpose blend – I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour, 5 Pound, in the blue bag
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 4 tablespoons almond milk (or other milk of choice)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar or 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoons oil – I used melted coconut oil
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Variations:

  • CHOCOLATE FROSTING—
  • 2 tablespoons solid coconut oil – use refined for less coconut flavor
  • 1/2 tablespoon cocoa or cacao (more or less to taste)
  • 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup or honey (more or less to taste)
  • Mix together coconut oil, cocoa, and sweetener. Frost cooled mug cake as desired.
  • STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE—
  • Add 2 tablespoons chopped strawberries to batter
  • For topping—whip 2–3 tablespoons chilled coconut cream or heavy whipping cream with 1/2 teaspoon honey, maple syrup or sugar. Top with whipped cream and additional fresh berries.
  • FUNFETTI—
  • add 1/2—1 tablespoon naturally dyed sprinkles to cake batter

Instructions

  1. In a mug, blend together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add sweetener, oil, and vanilla. Pour in a little milk and mix until smooth. Add the rest of the milk and mix just until well blended. Be sure to get the bottom corners as flour pockets tend to get stuck in the crevices.
  2. Place mug into the microwave and heat at 50% power/half power for 90–120 seconds. This helps the cake to stay tender and not get chewy. If you don’t have a way to change the power, heat for 45–60 seconds. Keep an eye on it and take it out as soon as the cake has risen and is top is firm to the touch. Time may vary depending on the strength of your microwave. If it is not done in the amount of time listed, continue to cook in 15–20 second intervals until the cake is cooked.
  3. For flavor variations, mix fruit or sprinkles into the cake batter before microwaving. Fresh fruit may take a little longer because of the added moisture.

Notes

*I doubled the recipe in the mugs pictured.

  • Prep Time: 2 mins
  • Cook Time: 2 mins
  • Category: Dessert, Vegan, Gluten Free

Did you make this recipe?

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You may also enjoy these similar recipes: 

Chocolate Lava Mug Cake

Chocolate Lava Mug Cake | Vegan, gluten free, and dairy free. Takes less than 5 minutes to make!
Vegan Vanilla Sheet Cake with Strawberries

Vegan Vanilla Sheet Cake with Strawberries | Gluten and dairy free variation included. Vegan friendly.
Chocolate Layer Cake with Raspberries

https://www.wifemamafoodie.com/chocolate-raspberry-layer-cake/

Filed Under: All Recipes Tagged With: chocolate frosting, Dairy Free, Dessert, Egg Free, funfetti, Gluten Free, Healthy, microwave, mug cake, Quick, vanilla cake, Vegan

Previous Post: « Greek Salad Stuffed Pitas
Next Post: Vanilla Layer Cake with Fresh Berries »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rachael says

    March 20, 2022 at 11:30 am

    Hi there! Do you know approx. how many calories are in the vanilla funfetti recipe?

    Reply
  2. Lauren says

    May 17, 2018 at 12:51 pm

    This is a great recipe and one of the few mug cakes I’ve tried that resulted in a delicious treat! This has been my go-to afternoon pick-me-up with a cup of coffee for a few days now and each time I get a great result. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wife Mama Foodie says

      May 17, 2018 at 2:04 pm

      That makes me so happy to hear, Lauren!! Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback and for giving the recipe a try! I’m really glad you’re enjoying these mug cakes as much as I do. They’re really a lifesaver when you need cake, like, right now, haha!!

      Reply
  3. Remy says

    February 5, 2018 at 12:55 am

    I’ve never successfully been able to make a mug cake…this time is no different. Sigh. It didn’t rise and stayed goopy.

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wife Mama Foodie says

      February 5, 2018 at 5:52 pm

      I’m sorry yours didn’t turn out, Remy. If you’ve tried several different recipes without success, I wonder if your microwave could possibly be the problem? It shouldn’t be gloopy after it’s cooked thoroughly. It may just need to be cooked for a little longer. I keep microwaving in 15 second increments until the center is well cooked. I hope you don’t give up on mug cakes! They’re such a quick and delicious treat!

      Reply
  4. adriana says

    June 29, 2017 at 11:40 pm

    Umm, this looks incredible!!! I need to make this recipe, I LOVE mug cakes! YUM!!

    Reply
  5. Helen says

    June 29, 2017 at 8:48 am

    These look amazing! Love that they are healthier too!

    Reply
  6. shreya says

    June 29, 2017 at 7:24 am

    Omg they look amazing. I have a sweet tooth, and I totally understand the late night cravings. These ideas are fabulous and I am gonna make some to satisfy my craving.Thanks for sharing!
    XO
    Shreya | https://mymagicaltrunk.com/

    Reply
  7. Cait Weingartner says

    June 29, 2017 at 2:15 am

    These mug cakes look cute as well as delicious! These would make an awesome dessert to serve at a summer BBQ or dinner party, especially when presented in festive mugs. I definitely plan to make these cakes soon!

    Reply
  8. Nicki says

    June 29, 2017 at 12:29 am

    This is a brilliant idea and so easy to do, thank you for this brilliant recipe. If I ever get a sweet craving I know where to go

    Reply
  9. Melissa says

    June 28, 2017 at 11:12 pm

    I love mug cakes! And these ones look so yummy! I will need to try one 🙂

    xx, Melissa
    https://elephantontheroad.com

    Reply
  10. Laura | Tutti Dolci says

    June 28, 2017 at 9:52 pm

    Just brilliant, I love these for a late night sweets craving!

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wife Mama Foodie says

      June 29, 2017 at 2:15 am

      Thanks friend!

      Reply
  11. Summer @ Coffee With Summer says

    June 28, 2017 at 9:44 pm

    OH gosh these are heavenly. Your photography is always perfect!

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wife Mama Foodie says

      June 29, 2017 at 2:14 am

      Aw thank you, Summer! I appreciate the encouragement!

      Reply
  12. Nicole Green says

    June 28, 2017 at 2:35 pm

    Oh my goodness these look amazing! I love mug cakes because I’m one of those people that ALWAYS has a sweet tooth and I can treat myself while still practicing portion control haha. Adding this to my Pinterest.

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wife Mama Foodie says

      June 29, 2017 at 2:13 am

      Thanks for pinning, Nicole. Have a great day!

      Reply
  13. Petra says

    June 28, 2017 at 12:36 pm

    Okay, I definitely NEED to try these out! I already pinned these to 3 different boards! 🙂 Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wife Mama Foodie says

      June 28, 2017 at 1:11 pm

      Yay! Thank you for pinning Petra! Have a great week!

      Reply
  14. Mala says

    June 28, 2017 at 12:20 pm

    Love the minimalist look and styling of your blog and photographs.

    Shall give this recipe a try soon. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wife Mama Foodie says

      June 28, 2017 at 1:12 pm

      Thank you so much Mala. Your feedback really means a lot to me. I hope you have a great day today!

      Reply
  15. Bianca Karina says

    June 28, 2017 at 12:03 pm

    Your mug cakes look so cute. Mine always look like barf in a cup LOL

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wife Mama Foodie says

      June 28, 2017 at 1:13 pm

      Lol, thanks for the smile Bianca I appreciate your kind words.

      Reply
  16. Louann Kristy says

    June 28, 2017 at 11:55 am

    Oooo these look so delicious! I’ve always thought this was such a neat idea especially for little tea parties.

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wife Mama Foodie says

      June 28, 2017 at 1:15 pm

      That sounds fabulous! These would make nice tea party cakes for sure. Have a wonderful week Louann!

      Reply
  17. Christine says

    June 28, 2017 at 11:50 am

    Now you’ve done it. I have to eat a whole lot more cake. That vanillia sheet cake looks amazing!

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wife Mama Foodie says

      June 28, 2017 at 1:15 pm

      Aw thanks Christine!

      Reply
  18. Desiree says

    June 28, 2017 at 9:19 am

    These look so amazing. And the fact that they are a healthier version makes me excited! I’ve never tried mug cakes before but I really want to after reading this post! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wife Mama Foodie says

      June 28, 2017 at 1:16 pm

      Thanks Desiree! Please let me know how like them if you try them out.

      Reply
  19. Nisha / @rainbowplantlife says

    June 28, 2017 at 6:50 am

    That shot of the mug cake slightly spilling out of the mug…so epic! We actually made a mug cake at my office yesterday and my coworkers were floored! They were astounded that you can make a cake in a mug in 2 minutes. Love this fun, easy idea!

    Reply
    • Joscelyn | Wife Mama Foodie says

      June 28, 2017 at 1:42 pm

      Haha, thanks Nisha! I was surprised too, when I first heard of a mug cake, that you could make a quick and delicious homemade dessert in so little time! They really come in handy for those quick sugar fixes!

      Reply

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Hello! My name is Joscelyn and I love to share recipes that are healthy and delicious. Many of them are also free of dairy, gluten, and refined sugar! Pick out a recipe and let's get cooking! Read More…

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