Name: Vanilla Mug Cake with Strawberries and Cream - Printable Recipe
Prep time: 4 min
Cook time: 1 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: English
Ingredients: 350ml Mug; Microwave; Fork; Small Bowl; 40ml (1/8 Cup + 1 tbsp) Double Cream; 1 tbsp Icing Sugar; 1 tbsp Strawberry Jam; Single Strawberry (optional); 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter; 1 x Egg; 2 tbsp Semi Skimmed Milk; 1 tsp Vanilla Extract; 3 tbsp Golden Caster Sugar; 4 tbsp Self Raising Flour; Pinch of Salt

Jump to Printable Recipe

Jump to Picture Recipe

(This post has been updated from the original November 2016 version to provide a better experience for you)

Ever get those moments when you need cake NOW? But don’t have the time to bake a full cake? This gorgeous vanilla mug cake with strawberries and cream will solve all your problems! Made in less than 10 minutes, you’ll be indulging in beautiful cake before you can say supercalafragilisticexpiali-delicious! Are you reaching for your mug yet? Keep reading for the easy recipe…

Vanilla mug cake in a white mug topped with strawberries and sweetened cream

Vanilla mug cake saves the day

We all have those days when we’re rushed off our feet and need a speedy pick me up. Or when you want a treat but the shopping isn’t arriving until tomorrow. Or just because?!

This easy peasy vanilla mug cake is here to save the day! It’s quick, it’s super simple and it’s oh so delicious!

If you’ve never baked cake in a microwave before, I’m here to say you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

And if this beauty gives you the baking bug? Check out baking for beginners to expand your tasty horizons! Plus you get some awesome freebies!

How to make mug cake

Making vanilla mug cake is as easy as one, two, three…

Mix the ingredients together in a mug
Bake in the microwave
Add your favourite toppings and enjoy!

Keep scrolling for the full, detailed recipe. I promise you won’t regret it!

How long does it take to bake a cake in the microwave?

Just like most things, the time it takes to bake a cake in the microwave can vary, depending on lots of different factors.

For example – how big is the cake? What power is your microwave? What kind of cake is it? How big is your mug?

If you’re making a 19cm (7.5″) microwave chocolate cake, it will take around 3 minutes. Making an individual mug cake? It will take somewhere between 1 minute and 1 minute 25 seconds.

Whatever microwave cake you’re making, be sure to keep a close eye on it. It can overcook very quickly!

How do you know when a microwave cake is done?

You’ll know a microwave cake is done when it feels a little sticky on top. If it’s still a bit wet, pop it back in the microwave in 10 second intervals, until done to your likeness. If it feels firm but not sticky, you’ve probably overcooked it.

Ingredients and substitutions

Confused about what ingredients to buy? Not sure about a substitution? Here’s what you need to know…

For the cake

Butter – I always use unsalted butter in baking. But margarine would also work.
Egg – A small egg will work perfectly in this vanilla mug cake. If yours is larger, don’t worry. It will still be great.
Milk – I used semi skimmed milk, but you can substitute it for any kind. Oat milk, almond milk, soya milk etc.
Vanilla – Using a good quality vanilla extract will make the best vanilla mug cake. Cheap supermarket own brands just don’t cut it!
Sugar – My favourite is golden caster sugar, for it’s slight caramel flavour. Regular caster sugar will work just as well though (superfine in the US).
Flour – You need self raising flour for this. Don’t substitute for plain flour, as it won’t rise.
Salt – You season your dinner, why wouldn’t you season your bakes?! Any salt will work, it’s only a little bit.

For the topping

Cream – Double cream or whipping cream is needed here, as it needs to be whippable. Single cream won’t work as it’s too thin.
Icing Sugar – Also known as confectioners sugar, this is used to make the icing. It’s fine enough to easily blend into the cream. Don’t substitute for granular sugars.
Strawberry Jam – Any will do! Whatever you have in the cupboards – be it seedless, compote or other.
Strawberry – This just makes it look cute. But a fresh strawberry is a lovely finishing touch! I wouldn’t buy a whole punnet just for this, but if you have some in the fridge – go for it.

Vanilla mug cake recipe tips and troubleshooting

Here are a few tips you’ll find helpful when making this vanilla mug cake.

I strongly advise you use a good quality vanilla extract. It makes such a big difference to the flavour of your mug cake!
Fresh British Summer strawberries are the perfect pairing. Make the most of them when they are around. But don’t buy a whole punnet just for this, unless you plan on eating them all.
If you have the time/patience, I recommend allowing your vanilla mug cake to cool before topping with the icing and jam.
Try and use ingredients that are all the same temperature, as they blend more easily. Take refrigerated items like butter and eggs out to warm up, an hour or so before baking.
Has your microwave cake gone hard or rubbery? You could have overcooked it, or used cold ingredients.
Shorter, wider mugs actually work best for mug cakes. Avoid taller ones if you can, as your cake is less likely to cook evenly.

Time management

Microwave mug cake was created to be speedy. It really doesn’t take long. Less than 10 minutes in fact!

There’s not much you can do in advance here. And the only waiting, is allowing your cake to cool a little before topping.

In other words, if you have about 20 minutes spare (including cooling time), you’ll be absolutely fine.

Close up of strawberries and cream on a mug cake

If you like this recipe…

…you might also like:

Vanilla Mug Cake with Strawberries and Cream – Step by Step Picture Recipe

(For a printer friendly version, see the recipe card at the end of this post)

Ingredients

Here is what you will need to make 1.

For the Cake

2 tbsp Unsalted Butter
1 x Egg
2 tbsp Semi Skimmed Milk
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
3 tbsp Golden Caster Sugar
4 tbsp Self Raising Flour
Pinch of Salt

For the Topping

40ml (1/8 Cup + 1 tbsp) Double Cream
1 tbsp Icing Sugar
1 tbsp Strawberry Jam
Single Strawberry (optional)

Essential equipment

350ml Mug
Microwave
Fork
Small Bowl

Cake instructions

Firstly, place the butter (2 tbsp) into your mug, and melt in the microwave in 10 second intervals.

Then add in the egg (x 1), milk (2 tbsp) and vanilla (1 tsp). And mix with a fork until it’s all blended together well.

Melted butter, egg, milk and vanilla mixed together in a mug

Next add the sugar (3 tbsp), flour (4 tbsp) and salt (pinch), and beat together one final time until nice and smooth.

Vanilla mug cake batter in a mug with a fork

Time to bake! Cook your vanilla mug cake in the microwave for:

600 watts	1 min 25 secs
800 watts	1 min 15 secs
1000 watts	1 min 5 secs

If you have the time and patience – leave it to cool while you make the topping.

Topping instructions

Either with a fork or a whisk, whip up the double cream (40ml | 1/8 Cup + 1 tbsp) with the icing sugar (1 tbsp) in a small bowl, until it forms stiff peaks.

Sweetened cream and strawberry jam in bowls

Finally, dollop the jam (1 tbsp) on top of the cooled cake, followed by the sweetened cream. You can even pop a strawberry on the top if you’re feeling fancy!

A vanilla mug cake with strawberries and cream on a plate with a fork

Enjoy straight away for the best results.

Loved this vanilla mug cake recipe? Pin it!

Vanilla mug cake in a mug topped with strawberries and sweetened cream. A text overlay says 'Vanilla mug cake with strawberries and cream'.

Vanilla Mug Cake with Strawberries and Cream - Printable Recipe

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 4 minutes

Cook Time: 1 minute

Cooling Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Need cake NOW? Don't have time to bake? This 10 minute vanilla mug cake with strawberries and cream is the answer! Go on, satisfy your cravings...