Vegan vanilla mug cake is light and fluffy and whole-food plant-based! It uses a handful of pantry ingredients and takes only 3 minutes from start to finish!
When your sweet tooth needs quenching, look no further than this super easy vegan mug cake! Usually, I’m all about everything, chocolate. My vegan mug brownie is a regular favorite in our house, and we love a good chocolate mug cake. But not everyone is as big of a chocolate fan as I am.
In the fall we enjoy this super simple pumpkin mug cake, but vanilla has its place too. It’s naturally sweet with a hint of smoke. The aroma of a vanilla cake baking in the oven floods the house with a pleasantly sweet aroma.
This week my kids were extra well-behaved! I know! Lucky mama! They did their homework each night without complaint, helped with the chores, and didn’t argue or fight with one another. Just before I was going to pick them up from school I decided to surprise them with a special after-school treat!
Since I didn’t have much time, prepping and baking a whole vegan cake recipe was out of the question. Not to mention I didn’t want an entire cake lingering in the house for us to destroy throughout the next few days.
This easy vegan dessert seemed like the best solution!
This vegan vanilla mug cake recipe is made with white whole wheat flour for extra fiber and sweetened with coconut sugar. It’s also oil-free, using unsweetened applesauce to bind the ingredients together.
I topped it with coconut whipped cream, fresh strawberries, and colorful vegan sprinkles!
When my kids came home, and I told them I had a special treat for them, their eyes lit up! That mug cake disappeared in minutes!
Jump to:
What is a mug cake?
Mug cake recipes are a single serving cake prepared directly in a mug or small bowl and microwaved to bake and rise. It’s a popular recipe because it’s so quick and easy. You don’t need to warm the oven. You only need a small mug or microwave-safe bowl. All the ingredients are mixed together directly in the bowl, so there’s no mixing bowl needed, and you can make a cake for one! No need to bake a whole cake when you just want a small slice!
Why This Recipe Works
- Light, moist, and fluffy texture
- Simple Ingredients
- 3 minutes start to finish
- Perfect dessert for one
- Healthy whole food ingredients
- Refined sugar-free
- Vegan and Dairy-Free
Ingredients and Notes
White Whole Wheat Flour: Higher in nutritional value, white whole wheat flour is made from 100% whole wheat. It has a lighter color, texture, and flavor than whole wheat flour, making it excellent for baked goods. You can use all-purpose flour if you don’t have white whole wheat flour.
Baking Powder and Salt: The baking powder and salt allow the cake to rise. Make sure to use fresh and active baking powder. If your baking powder has been in your pantry for a while, it will lose its potency.
Coconut Sugar: An excellent alternative to white sugar, coconut sugar is vegan, whereas table sugar often is not. It’s also less refined than regular sugar. The nutritional content and calories, however, are the same. Use a tablespoon of maple syrup or organic cane sugar if you don’t have coconut sugar.
Coconut Milk: Extra creamy coconut milk adds some needed fat to this recipe which helps to give it moisture. I recommend using full-fat coconut milk. However, if you don’t have coconut milk you can use plant milk such as almond milk.
Vanilla Extract: Be sure to use a high-quality vanilla extract. This is what gives the cake the vanilla flavor.
Applesauce: Instead of using vegetable oil or vegan butter, applesauce provides moisture and helps to bind the ingredients together. Alternatively, you can use melted coconut oil in its place.
How to Make A Vegan Vanilla Mug Cake
Step 1: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and coconut sugar in a mug or small bowl that’s at least 3 inches in diameter and 2 inches tall.
Step 2: Add the coconut milk, vanilla extract, and applesauce. Stir the mug cake batter until combined. Smooth out the top.
Step 3: Place in your microwave on high power for 90 seconds.
Step 4: Allow it to cool for a few minutes. Top with your favorite toppings such as coconut whipped cream, and vegan sprinkles.
FAQS
Using white whole wheat flour increases the fiber and nutritional content. This cake substitutes oil for applesauce which reduces the fat and calories. Coconut milk is high in fat and calories. However, the fat in coconut milk is monounsaturated fat, which has known health benefits such as lowering the risk of heart disease and helping keep blood sugar under control, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. This mug cake is under 300 calories.
Yes, baking this vegan mug cake recipe in the oven is OK. Preheat the oven to 350 F, and bake for 10-12 minutes.
Expert Tips
- Combine the dry ingredients first. Then add the wet ingredients.
- Make sure that the mug is microwave safe.
- It’s best to use an 800-watt microwave.
- Microwave on high. Start at 90 seconds. If your microwave is lower wattage, you must increase the cooking time by 20 seconds.
- If you don’t finish your mug cake, cover it and keep it at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Flavoring Ideas
Want to add a flavorful spin to this recipe? It’s super easy to add your favorite mix-ins.
- Make a Funfetti Mug Cake by adding two teaspoons of vegan sprinkles.
- Make it a vanilla chocolate chip mug cake by stirring in 2 teaspoons of vegan mini chocolate chips.
- Give it a banana flavor by subbing the applesauce for banana puree. Top with banana slices.
How to Serve
- Coconut Whipped Cream
- Fresh Berries
- Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream
- Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips
- Vegan Sprinkles
- Vegan Buttercream Frosting
How to Store
While I doubt you’ll have leftovers from a single-serving cake if you can’t finish it, then cover the top with plastic wrap or a lid—store at room temperature for up to 1 day. You can reheat it in the microwave for up to 15 seconds.
Make it Gluten-Free
This recipe can easily be made gluten-free. Simply substitute the white whole wheat flour with gluten-free baking flour. I recommend using a 1:1 gluten-free flour or oat flour.
More vegan baking recipes!
Recipe
Vegan Vanilla Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon white whole wheat flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 3 tablespoon coconut milk or other plant milk
- 1 tablespoon applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Whisk together flour, baking powder , salt, and coconut sugar in a mug or small bowl that's at least 3 inches in diameter and 2 inches tall.
- Add the coconut milk, vanilla extract, and applesauce. Stir together until combined. Smooth out the top.
- Place in your microwave on high power for 90 seconds.
- Allow to cool a few minutes, top with your favorite topping such as coconut whipped cream, and vegan sprinkles.
Kristen Wood
My kiddos adored this! Thanks so much!
Lauren
Such a great (and quick) recipe. I love the subtle coconut flavour 🙂
Mirlene
This is the perfect dessert to have. I love that I can have it all to myself, specially the vanilla flavor with the sprinkles!
Mahy
I love it! The perfect recipe for a special day. Everyone I know will love it!