Vanilla mug cake recipe
 Made in less than 5 minutes from start to finish, this must be the quickest, most satisfying pudding for one! These timings are based on an 800W microwave, you may need to adjust the timings slightly for other wattages. 20g/1¾oz unsalted butter or dairy-free spread3 tbsp milk or dairy-free milk¼ tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract2 tbsp caster sugar 4 tbsp plain flour ¼ tsp baking powderpinch saltice cream, cake frosting, jam or lemon curd, to serve 20g/1¾oz unsalted butter or dairy-free spread 3 tbsp milk or dairy-free milk ¼ tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract 2 tbsp caster sugar 4 tbsp plain flour ¼ tsp baking powder pinch salt ice cream, cake frosting, jam or lemon curd, to serve Method Set aside a good-sized, microwaveable mug to bake the cake in. Add the butter and milk to another microwaveable mug and microwave on high in 10 second increments, swirling the contents after each blast, until the butter is melted. Stir in the vanilla, followed by the sugar then the flour, baking powder and salt. Beat in the dry ingredients with a fork until there is a fairly smooth mixture. Scrape the mixture into the clean mug.Sit the mug in the centre of the microwave and cook for 1 minute on high (for an 800W microwave, adjust timings for other wattages). If the sponge is firm to the touch, it is ready. If not, continue microwaving in 10 second increments until cooked.Serve warm in the mug with ice cream, cake frosting or a dollop of jam or lemon curd. Set aside a good-sized, microwaveable mug to bake the cake in. Add the butter and milk to another microwaveable mug and microwave on high in 10 second increments, swirling the contents after each blast, until the butter is melted. Set aside a good-sized, microwaveable mug to bake the cake in. Add the butter and milk to another microwaveable mug and microwave on high in 10 second increments, swirling the contents after each blast, until the butter is melted. Stir in the vanilla, followed by the sugar then the flour, baking powder and salt. Beat in the dry ingredients with a fork until there is a fairly smooth mixture. Scrape the mixture into the clean mug. Stir in the vanilla, followed by the sugar then the flour, baking powder and salt. Beat in the dry ingredients with a fork until there is a fairly smooth mixture. Scrape the mixture into the clean mug. Sit the mug in the centre of the microwave and cook for 1 minute on high (for an 800W microwave, adjust timings for other wattages). If the sponge is firm to the touch, it is ready. If not, continue microwaving in 10 second increments until cooked. Sit the mug in the centre of the microwave and cook for 1 minute on high (for an 800W microwave, adjust timings for other wattages). If the sponge is firm to the touch, it is ready. If not, continue microwaving in 10 second increments until cooked. Serve warm in the mug with ice cream, cake frosting or a dollop of jam or lemon curd. Serve warm in the mug with ice cream, cake frosting or a dollop of jam or lemon curd. Recipe tips If you want to make a birthday cake for one, add 1–2 teaspoons of coloured sprinkles with the flour to make this a colourful unicorn cake. You can use the same mug for cooking the cake, but using a clean mug gives better results. Once you’ve mastered this vanilla version, mix it up with citrus zests, ground spices or chocolate chips.