• Use a whisk or handheld beater to cream the butter. Add the sugar and vanilla extract and beat until well incorporated.
• Pour in the yogurt and mix to combine.
• Sift in the flour and baking powder and mix until just combined.
• Add the milk and use a whisk or handheld beater to beat for a minute.
• Pour the mixture into a microwave-safe dish lined with parchment paper. Bake in the microwave for between 6 to 8 minutes or the high power setting.
• Check if the cake is baked after 6 minutes by inserting a toothpick in the centre. The cake should be baked if the toothpick comes out clean.
• If after 6 minutes the cake has not finished baking, continue to bake it until done.
• Keep in mind that the cooking time is going to vary depending on your microwave and the container you are using.
• After baking, allow the cake to cool in its container for 10 minutes. Then gently remove it from the container onto a plate. Cool completely before decorating with a frosting of your choice.

Frequently asked questions about the recipe

Which cake pan can I use?

• The container or pan used must be microwave safe. Keep in mind that the type of container used can affect the baking time and sometimes the texture of the cake. For example, I find that baking in a silicone container creates a denser bake compared to a glass container which creates a more fluffy texture.
• Never use regular metal oven pans for any of your microwave baking.
• Use only microwave-safe glass, silicone, plastic or ceramic containers.
• It is preferable to use a rounded container for this cake as it cooks more evenly around the edges

How do you know when the cake is baked?

• Microwave cakes bake very quickly, here are a few guidelines to have an idea to when it has baked.
• Check if the cake is baked by inserting a toothpick or thin metal skewer into the middle of the cake. If there is batter clinging to the toothpick, put the cake back into the microwave and bake at 1-minute increments until baked.
• The cake will be firm to the touch and will pull away from the sides of the pan when baked.

Toppings and frosting suggestions

• These can be as simple or elaborate as you like. Depending on the occasion or your mood (mine is always for chocolate 🙂 have fun with the topping. Here are the best toppings I have used in my recipes if you would like to give it a try:
• Use your favorite frosting to decorate the cake. It can be as simple as a dusting of powdered sugar or as elaborate topped with a rich buttercream frosting which I used on my recipe for condensed milk lemon cake
• Top with a simple dusting of powdered sugar
• Frost with piped or spread with my favorite chocolate buttercream
• Try my delicious stabilized 3 ingredient whipped cream frosting (without gelatin) and top with seasonal fruit
• Cover with a chocolate ganache.

Helpful tips when baking cakes in the microwave

• When using a regular microwave at full power to make a cake, cook for 8-10 minutes. Stop every 4 minutes and check your bake by using a toothpick to pierce the cake. if the toothpick comes out clean, your cake’s done. It’s also important to stop and check because timing can differ slightly depending on the microwave.
• The baking time in my recipe is based on my 1000 watt microwave. This means that your baking time will vary by either a few minutes more or less depending on your microwave.
• Do not overbake. Keep in mind that the cake continues to bake for at least another 2 minutes after it has been removed from the microwave.
• The container or pan used must be microwave safe. Keep in mind that the type of container used can affect the baking time and sometimes the texture of the cake. For example, I find that baking in a silicone container creates a denser bake compared to a glass container which creates a more fluffy texture.
• This recipe makes a one layer 9 inch (23cm) cake. The height of the baked cake will depend on the container you are using. A wider container will yield a flatter or thinner layer. A narrow container will yield a higher or thicker layer. You can double the ingredients and divided the batter between two microwave safe glass containers, baking them separately to create a two layer cake.