This gluten-free vanilla mug cake bakes in the microwave and is ready in just FIVE minutes. It is moist and fluffy and about as easy as cake making gets. It is egg-free and can also be made dairy-free and vegan.
Be sure to check out more of my vanilla cake recipes including my 2 layer gluten-free vanilla cake (dairy-free), gluten-free vanilla cake pops, gluten-free vanilla almond flour cake and my gluten-free dairy-free vanilla cupcakes.
Microwave Baking
This mug cake bakes in the microwave in less than 2 minutes. I wouldn’t normally bake cake in the microwave – it’s not the ideal way to bake a cake if you’re picky about cake texture. But as a very impatient person who loves cake, the idea of making a cake from start to finish in 5 minutes is irresistible. And because it’s single-serve I don’t have to share! Just expect that the cake will not be as tender as an oven-baked cake, but it will still be moist and fluffy and so satisfying!
Ingredients
This recipe has just 7 simple ingredients and mixes up with a fork directly in the mug!
Gluten-Free Flour Blend – My go-to for gluten-free flour is King Arthur Measure for Measure. It works well in many of my recipes and is available at most grocery stores. It is the most affordable of the one’s I’ve tested. Be sure to check out more of my recipes with King Arthur gluten-free flour.
Pamela’s All Purpose Artisan Blend is a similar gf all in one flour, and works well too. Both of these flour blends are vegan and certified gluten-free.
Sugar, salt and baking powder round out the dry ingredients – so simple right?
I prefer oil over butter for adding moisture to gluten-free cakes. Avocado, sunflower, extra light olive oil, canola. vegetable or any other neutral flavored oil will work.
Milk or a non-dairy substitute like hemp, coconut (not the canned stuff), soy, rice or almond milk will work in this recipe.
And finally vanilla gives this cake its flavor. My preferred vanilla is Cooks Vanilla Powder. I love that it’s in powder form and that it has no alcohol. Vanilla bean paste is also a good alcohol-free option. Unfortunately vanilla has become crazy expensive lately, so if real vanilla is not in your budget, definitely use imitation vanilla.
How Much Batter?
The only complicated thing about this recipe is determining how much batter you’ll need for the mug you’re using. If you want just a small, single serving of cake, regardless of your mug size, go with the first version in the recipe card. If your mug holds 1 1/2 cups of liquid or more, and you want a full mug of cake, use the second version.
If you use too much batter, the worst thing that will happen is it will spill over the sides of the mug during baking. The cake will still be fine!
Mug Cake Toppings
You will likely want to devour this cake as soon as it comes out of the microwave. It will be steaming HOT. So most toppings will melt pretty quickly. Here are some topping options that are good for a hot cake:
- Marshmallow Cream (Fluff)
- Hot Fudge or Chocolate Syrup
- Strawberry Sauce
- Caramel
- If you don’t mind melting toppings, ice cream or frosting is so good with this cake
Gluten-Free Vanilla Mug Cake
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Ingredients
For small mug or small, single serving
- ΒΌ c gluten free flour blend
- 4 tsp sugar
- ΒΌ tsp baking powder
- 2 pinches salt
- ΒΌ milk or dairy-free milk sub
- 2 Tbsp oil (avocado, sunflower, canola)
- Β½ tsp vanilla powder, extract or bean paste
For a larger mug (1Β½ c +) or large serving of cake
- β c flour
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- Β½ tsp baking powder
- 2 pinches salt
- β c milk or dairy-free milk sub
- 2 Tbsp oil (avocado, sunflower, canola)
- Β½ tsp vanilla powder, extract or bean paste
Instructions
- Place the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in the mug. Stir with a fork.
- Add the oil, milk and vanilla and stir until smooth.
- Cook on high in the microwave -1 minute 20 seconds for the small and 1 minute 40 for the large. It should spring back from a light tap. If it doesn't seem fully done, heat another 10 seconds.
- Once the time is up, let it sit in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- You'll likely want to devour the cake immediately! But if you can wait a few minutes, it will be better.
- Top with marshmallow cream, strawberry sauce, hot fudge or chocolate syrup, whipped cream, sprinkles, frosting or ice cream.
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