This Cinnamon Mug Cake recipe is perfect when you’re craving cinnamon rolls at night. It’s made with kitchen staples, and is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth in 10 minutes.
I love making a quick mug cake treat. Here are a few other favorites, my Funfetti Mug Cake and my Triple Chocolate Chip Mug Cake. They are easy and so delicious.
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Why this Cinnamon Mug Cake Recipe is a Keeper
This easy mug cake is as delicious as it is simple to make. It’s the perfect individual serving and is incredibly quick.
- Quick Treat: Ready in just a few minutes in the microwave.
- Single Serve: Perfect portion with no leftovers.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples to make this treat.
- Soft Texture: Fluffy and tender every time.
- Serve With: Serve this recipe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, Fruit Salsa or Vanilla Buttercream Frosting.
Why is my Mug Cake Rubbery?
If your mug cake is tough or rubbery, it could be due to overcooking or over mixing the batter. Be sure to cook just until it’s done, and stir only until everything is combined.
Fun Fact for Microwave Mug Cake Recipes
Mug cakes took off in the early 2010s because of a viral microwave hack shared on college forums — students loved that you could make a warm, single‑serve cake in under 2 minutes with nothing but a mug and a microwave. It became one of the first truly internet‑famous desserts.
Ingredient Notes for Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake
You only need a few pantry staples to make this particular cinnamon and sugar mug cake recipe.
This is an overview of key ingredients. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Cinnamon: Freshly ground cinnamon is best for flavor for the sugar mixture.
- Flour: You can use all-purpose flour or almond flour for the cake batter.
- Baking Powder: Baking powder will help your cake in a mug rise.
Variations and Substitutions for Cinnamon Roll in a Mug
This delicious cinnamon recipe is so easy to change up and bake in less than 5 minutes. I like to experiment with ingredients to make different varieties. You can switch up this particular mug cake recipe like this:
➡️ Add Glaze: Drizzle a simple powdered sugar glaze on top.
➡️ Make It Richer: Add a small pat of butter on top after cooking to up the cake flavor.
➡️ Add Mix-Ins: Stir in chopped pecans, mini chocolate chips or walnuts.
➡️ Make It Dairy-Free: Use plant-based milk like almond milk.
Kitchen Tools for Single Serving Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake
You will just need a handful of basic kitchen items to make the best mug cake recipe.
- Microwave‑Safe Coffee Mug (12 to 14-ounce mug): Big enough to prevent overflow and allow the batter to rise. A smaller mug, 8-10 ounces, can also be used. The length of baking time will vary based on the size.
- Small Whisk or Fork: For mixing the batter right in the mug.
- Measuring Spoons: Mug cakes rely on accurate small measurements.
- Rubber Spatula: Helpful for scraping down the sides or swirling in the cinnamon sugar.
- Microwave: Rather than a 30 minute baking time, a microwave on high can cook the cake in about a minute.
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Mug Cake
This cake is the perfect treat and comes together in just 3 easy to follow steps. Buttery cinnamon mug cakes are so easy and delicious, they’re great for college students. You will become a fan of mug cakes after this recipe.
These are just highlights. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Make the Batter: Stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, milk, salt and avocado oil in an 8-ounce microwave-safe mug.
- Add Cinnamon Swirl: Heat the butter in a small bowl. Then, stir in the cinnamon and brown sugar. Pour the cinnamon mixture over the batter, and swirl it together.
- Microwave and Frost: Microwave the mug for about 1 minute, then let cool. Microwave cream cheese and butter in a small bowl. Then, stir in the powdered sugar. When smooth, spoon on the frosting.
Prep Ahead and Short Cut Tips for Cinnamon Swirl Cake
Since this recipe is already super easy, there are only a couple things you can do ahead of time.
➡️ Pre-Mix Dry Ingredients: Store small portions for quick use.
➡️ Measure Ingredients Ahead: Speeds up prep.
➡️ Use One Mug: Mix and cook in the same mug for easy cleanup.
Alternate Cooking Methods to Make this Recipe
Make this recipe another way by using an oven or toaster oven.
- Oven Method: Bake in a ramekin at 350°F until set.
- Toaster Oven: Works similarly for small portions.
Can I Make a Gluten Free Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake?
Sure, swap the flour for your favorite gluten free flour or gluten free pancake mix, it will taste like any other mug cake.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Best enjoyed immediately.
- Reheating: Microwave briefly if needed.
- Using Leftovers: Not ideal as the texture changes quickly.
Expert Tips for Making Cinnamon Roll In A Mug
I love this cinnamon cake. This mug cake is the perfect breakfast or snack. Here are a few other tips.
➡️ Don’t Overcook: Start with less time and add more if needed.
➡️ Mix Gently: Overmixing can make the cake dense.
➡️ Use Right Mug: Leave room for cake to rise.
➡️ Check Center: It should be just set, not dry.
➡️ Adjust Time: Microwaves vary, so test it in yours and tweak the cook time if necessary.
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Cinnamon Mug Cake
Equipment
- Microwave Safe Mug 8 ounce mug
- Bowls
- Small Whisk
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Ingredients
Cake Ingredients:
- 4 Tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon
- 3 Tablespoons Milk, any milk works
- ½ Tablespoon Avocado oil
- ¼ teaspoon Salt, a pinch
Cinnamon Swirl Ingredients:
- 1 ½ Tablespoons Brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon
- ½ Tablespoon Butter, melted
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:
- ½ Tablespoon Butter, softened
- 1 Tablespoon Cream cheese, softened
- 4-5 Tablespoons Powdered sugar
Instructions
- Add cake ingredients to an 8-ounce ramekin or microwave-safe mug. Stir well to incorporate and remove any lumps in the batter.
- For the cinnamon swirl, add ½ tablespoon butter to a small bowl. Microwave for a few seconds until melted. Add cinnamon and brown sugar. Stir to combine.
- Pour cinnamon swirl mixture over the cake batter. Use a butter knife to fold the mixture into the cake, using a swirling motion.
- Microwave cake for 1 minute or until the center of the cake is cooked through. Allow cake to cool.
- For the cream cheese frosting, add butter and cream cheese to a small bowl. Microwave at 50% power for 10 seconds. Add 4 tablespoons powdered sugar, stir until smooth. Add up to an additional tablespoon of powdered sugar or until desired consistency is reached.
- Frost cake by simply spooning on desired amount or by creating the swirl pattern as shown in the photos. To do this, transfer cream cheese frosting to a small sandwich bag, cut off a corner of the bag and pipe the frosting into a swirl starting in the center of the cake.
Christina’s Notes
- Frosting: The frosting recipe included yields enough for two servings if using the swirl frosting pattern shown. Therefore, create two servings by simply replicating the cake making process, but keep the frosting the same.
- Use Mug as Mold: If you want to this on a plate rather than out of a mug, make sure to coat the mug with cooking spray before adding the dough.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.