Hi👋 I’m MARILYN, a 34-year-old from the United Kingdom. Cooking is my passion, and I love sharing delicious, easy-to-follow recipes. Join me on marilynrecipes.com to explore a world of culinary delights, from comforting classics to innovative creations. Let’s make cooking fun and enjoyable for everyone! Cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories.
I still remember the first time I made a Vanilla Mug Cake with Sprinkles. It was a rainy afternoon, and I wanted a quick, sweet treat without turning on the oven for an hour. I grabbed a mug, threw in some basic pantry ingredients, and within minutes, I had a warm, fluffy cake topped with cheerful rainbow sprinkles. The aroma filled my tiny kitchen, and it felt like a hug in dessert form. From that moment on, this became my go-to recipe whenever I needed instant comfort or wanted to surprise my niece and nephew with a little baking magic.
Over the years, I’ve experimented with countless variations of this mug cake, but nothing beats the classic vanilla base studded with rainbow sprinkles. It’s simple, sweet, and perfectly portioned for a cozy solo treat or a quick indulgence for two. Today, I’m sharing my secret to the fluffiest, most flavorful Vanilla Mug Cake with Sprinkles, so you can enjoy the same joy I do in your own kitchen.
Why I Love Making This Recipe
There’s something so magical about making a cake in a mug. It’s almost instant gratification, yet it feels indulgent and homemade. I love that this recipe requires minimal ingredients most of which I always have on hand and comes together in just a few minutes. The best part? The sprinkles. They turn an ordinary vanilla cake into a rainbow-filled celebration in a mug, and they never fail to bring a smile.
This recipe is a reminder that baking doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about the little moments: stirring the batter, watching it rise in the microwave, and enjoying the warmth straight from the mug. I make it on lazy Sunday mornings, after a stressful day, or even when I need a quick dessert to impress friends without any fuss. It’s versatility and joy rolled into one tiny mug of happiness.
Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets
Here’s what you need for one mug cake:
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon rainbow sprinkles (plus extra for topping)
Little Kitchen Secrets:
- Make sure to stir your dry ingredients well before adding the wet ingredients. It ensures an even rise and no lumps.
- Use fresh baking powder it’s key to getting a fluffy, light texture.
- Sprinkles on top before microwaving will melt slightly and create a gorgeous, colorful surface.
How I Make It, Step by Step
- Grab a microwave-safe mug, about 12–16 oz in size.
- In the mug, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Add milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.
- Gently fold in 1 tablespoon of rainbow sprinkles.
- Microwave on high for 70–90 seconds, depending on your microwave’s power. The cake should rise and look set but still soft in the center.
- Top with extra sprinkles while the cake is hot.
- Let it cool for 1–2 minutes before digging in though I never wait long!
How I Serve It at Home
I love serving this mug cake straight from the mug. Sometimes, I drizzle a little chocolate sauce, a spoon of whipped cream, or even a tiny scoop of vanilla ice cream. It transforms the cozy treat into a mini celebration. I often pair it with a hot cup of tea or coffee for the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. For a playful twist, I sometimes add a few chocolate chips or swap some sprinkles for colorful candy pieces.
Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips
This recipe is designed to be enjoyed immediately, but if you have leftovers (rare!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Reheat in the microwave for 20–30 seconds. I don’t recommend making these in advance because they taste best fresh and warm.
100-Word Short Version
My Vanilla Mug Cake with Sprinkles is the ultimate cozy dessert. In just minutes, you can mix a few pantry staples flour, sugar, milk, oil, and vanilla into a mug, fold in rainbow sprinkles, and microwave until fluffy. The result? A soft, moist cake bursting with colorful joy, perfect for solo indulgence or a quick sweet treat. Top with extra sprinkles, chocolate sauce, or whipped cream for added magic. Minimal prep, instant happiness, and full of love this mug cake reminds me that the simplest recipes often bring the biggest smiles.
Recipe Card Section
⏱️ Time
- Prep: 2 minutes
- Cook: 1–2 minutes
- Total: 3–4 minutes
🛒 Ingredients <ul> <li>4 tablespoons all-purpose flour</li> <li>3 tablespoons granulated sugar</li> <li>1/4 teaspoon baking powder</li> <li>Pinch of salt</li> <li>3 tablespoons milk</li> <li>1 tablespoon vegetable oil</li> <li>1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract</li> <li>1 tablespoon rainbow sprinkles (plus extra for topping)</li> </ul>
👩🍳 Instructions <ol> <li>Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a microwave-safe mug.</li> <li>Add milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract; stir until smooth.</li> <li>Fold in rainbow sprinkles gently.</li> <li>Microwave on high for 70–90 seconds until the cake rises and is set.</li> <li>Top with extra sprinkles and let cool for 1–2 minutes.</li> <li>Enjoy straight from the mug or add toppings as desired.</li> </ol>
📝 Notes
- Ensure baking powder is fresh for a light, fluffy texture.
- Don’t overfill the mug cake will rise.
- Perfect for solo indulgence or small gatherings.
🍽️ Nutrition (approx per serving)
Calories: 250 kcal
Sugar: 18 g
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Protein: 3 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sodium: 80 mg
Vanilla Mug Cake with Sprinkles
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 1-2 minutes
- Total Time: 3-4 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Microwave
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
My Vanilla Mug Cake with Sprinkles is a quick, cozy dessert perfect for solo indulgence or a fun treat. Fluffy, colorful, and ready in minutes, this mug cake is my go-to for instant happiness in the kitchen.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon rainbow sprinkles (plus extra for topping)
Instructions
- Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a microwave-safe mug.
- Add milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract; stir until smooth.
- Fold in rainbow sprinkles gently.
- Microwave on high for 70–90 seconds until the cake rises and is set.
- Top with extra sprinkles and let cool for 1–2 minutes.
- Enjoy straight from the mug or add toppings as desired.
Notes
Ensure baking powder is fresh for a light, fluffy texture. Don’t overfill the mug—cake will rise. Perfect for solo indulgence or small gatherings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mug
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 80
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 0
Conclusion
This Vanilla Mug Cake with Sprinkles is more than just a dessert it’s a little moment of happiness you can create in minutes. Every time I make it, I feel like I’m giving myself a warm hug, and sharing it with loved ones makes it even better. Remember, cooking doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s about the joy of creating something tasty and making memories along the way. So grab a mug, mix up some love, and let this cheerful little cake brighten your day.