Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe with Rainbow Sprinkles

Made with white chocolate chips and vanilla bean paste, this easy vanilla mug cake recipe comes together in under 10 minutes, no oven required. Decorated with plenty of rainbow sprinkles, it’s like a birthday cake in a mug!

Why Make This Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe?

I have a handful of recipes that I keep on hand for curbing late-night cravings, or for evenings when I’m only making dessert for one. Mug cakes are definitely at the top of this list.

I first started experimenting with mug cakes a couple of years ago, when I moved from the US to the UK and no longer had the kitchen space to easily make a full-size cake. (As a New Yorker I’m no stranger to a cramped kitchen, but London kitchens are beyond tiny—many don’t even have ovens, just a couple of burners known as a “hob.”) I started with my easy chocolate mug cake, and once I had the chocolate recipe down, I got to work on perfecting a vanilla mug cake.

This simple, microwaveable vanilla mug cake recipe uses staple ingredients I always keep in the cabinet, like self-rising flour, white chocolate chips, and vanilla bean paste. It’s the ideal recipe for solo dessert occasions, or for days when I’m short on time (or ingredients!) but still in the mood to bake. When I need a quick dessert or just want something sweet after a long day at work, this little vanilla mug cake hits the spot every time. Best served with lots and lots of rainbow sprinkles!

Vanilla Mug Cake Ingredients

To make this easy vanilla mug cake recipe, start by gathering the following ingredients:

• Self-Rising Flour  – Along with one egg, self-rising flour makes the mug cake rise.
• Granulated Sugar – Granulated sugar adds sweetness and moisture. Caster sugar will also work.
•  Whole Milk – I tested this mug cake recipe with whole milk, but feel free to substitute skimmed, semi-skimmed, or your favorite plant milk.
• Butter – Some mug cakes use vegetable oil, but here I’m using melted butter to give the cake a rich consistency.

• Vanilla Bean Paste – Because the vanilla flavor features prominently in this recipe, I recommend sticking with a good-quality vanilla bean paste. Nielsen-Massey is my preferred brand.
• White Chocolate Chips – To make the cake extra-gooey and extra chocoalte-y (don’t omit these!) Chopped white chocolate or chocolate callets will also work. I recommend having a few extra chocolate chips on hand to garnish.
• Fine Sea Salt – A pinch of fine sea salt cuts the sweetness of the chocolate.
• Rainbow Sprinkles – To decorate. I don’t recommend stirring these into the batter—see my notes below.

How to Make a Vanilla Mug Cake

This vanilla mug cake is a quick and easy way to enjoy a warm dessert with minimal effort. Simply combine staple ingredients like self rising flour, granulated sugar, egg, and whole milk in a microwave-safe mug, stir in vanilla bean paste and white chocolate chips, and microwave until the cake rises and sets. A sprinkle of extra chips and plenty of rainbow sprinkles add a colorful finishing touch to this easy, birthday cake-inspired treat.

For the full recipe, process photos, and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the recipe card below!

How to Enjoy this Birthday Cake in a Mug

This vanilla mug cake is perfect for curbing a late-night dessert craving, without the time or mess required to bake a full cake. It’s equally great as a solo treat or a quick dessert.

Enjoy your mug cake plain, or top with rainbow sprinkles, white chocolate chips, homemade caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream, or a dollop of whipped cream. And if it’s your birthday, feel free to add a candle, too!

Vanilla Mug Cake Tips and Tricks

Do a test run. All microwaves operate differently, so it might take a trial run or two to get your mug cake exactly how you like it. I prefer my mug cakes “cakey” around the edges, and warm and gooey in the middle.

Don’t overcook. Overcooked mug cakes quickly turn tough and rubbery, and arent very appealing to eat. The cake will continue to cook as it cools, so err on the side of underbaking. Mine took about 1 minute 30 seconds, but start checking for doneness after a 60-second cook.

Reserve the sprinkles for garnish. Add the rainbow sprinkles on top of the cake, rather than stirring them into the batter. When I tested a version with the sprinkles stirred into the mix, the baked cake looked muddy and brown, and not very visually appealing.

Use a mini whisk. I love my miniature silicone whisk, which is perfect for making mug cakes. If you don’t own one, you can also stir the ingredients with a fork.

Make-Ahead and Storage Suggestions

Mug cakes take on a dense, rubbery texture as they cool, so they are best enjoyed immediately. Do not make this cake until you’re ready to eat it.

For a good make-ahead cake option, I suggest my lemon icebox cake or my flourless orange almond cake instead.

Other funfetti-themed recipes you might enjoy:

Funfetti Slice and Bake Shortbread Cookies
Buttercream Rainbow Cookie Recipe
Rainbow Whoopie Pies
Frosted Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Oh, and if you’re a fan of mug cakes, check out my easy chocolate mug cake, too!

And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!

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