Vanilla Mug Cake with Strawberries and Cream

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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 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. From zesty lemon mug cake to chocolate mug cake, there are flavours to satisfy everyone!

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…

1. Mix the ingredients together in a mug
2. Bake in the microwave
3. 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.

If you like this recipe…

…you might also like:

• Easy air fryer cake recipe
• Easy vanilla cupcakes

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)

Please note, this recipe includes both UK metric and US Cup measurements.

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.

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

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

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.

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!

Enjoy straight away for the best results.

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Continue to Content

Vanilla Mug Cake with Strawberries and Cream

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...

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Ingredients

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

Instructions

1. Put the butter in the mug and melt in the microwave in 10 second intervals.
2. Add the egg, milk and vanilla. Mix well with a fork until completely blended.
3. Measure in the sugar, flour and salt. Mix again with your fork, until thoroughly smooth. Bake in the microwave for 1 min 25 secs at 600 watts | 1 min 15 secs at 800 watts | 1 min 5 secs at 1000 watts. Allow to cool.
4. Meanwhile, make the topping. Whip the cream and icing sugar together in a small bowl with a fork (or whisk) to stiff peaks.
5. When your cake has cooled, top it with the jam, sweetened cream and a single strawberry (optional).

Notes

If you would rather use a more in depth picture recipe, please see the main body of this post. Where you’ll also find lots of extra FAQs and helpful tips, should you need them.

Please note, this recipe includes both UK metric and US Cup measurements.

Tips

• 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.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 776Total Fat: 40gSaturated Fat: 23gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 283mgSodium: 610mgCarbohydrates: 93gFiber: 3gSugar: 63gProtein: 12g

Nutritional information on kitchenmason.com should only be used as a general guideline, I am not a certified nutritionist. Please always check labels for allergens where applicable.

Did you make this recipe?

I'd love to hear about it! Please leave a comment on the blog or tag me on Instagram.

I want to see YOUR Microwaving!

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Other tasty mug cake recipes

• Lemon mug cake
• Chocolate chip mug cake

Emma Mason

Experienced British Online Publisher, recipe writer, and home cook, Emma has a background of over 20 years in British cuisine and cooking. Born and bred in the UK, she excels in classic British dishes, is passionate about air frying, and loves sharing her Gran’s old school recipes. She has been featured in popular publications such as Food Network, Cosmopolitan, and The Huffington Post.

Knowledgeable On: Traditional British Cuisine, Recipe Writing, Air Frying, Home Cooking.