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Cinnamon Roll in a Mug

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If you have a mug, a microwave & a spoon you can make this single serving, oil-free Cinnamon Roll in a Mug. It’s so easy & perfect for when those sweet cravings hit & you NEED dessert, like now!

If you have a mug, a microwave & a spoon you can make this single serving One minute Cinnamon Roll in a Mug. It's so easy & perfect for when those sweet cravings hit & you NEED dessert, like now!

I’m not a big microwave fan. I have one but very rarely use it. I am however fascinated by mug cakes. I have a sweet tooth and the thought of being able to go from zero to dessert in sixty seconds is extremely appealing! I had a taste of this with my Easy Maple Ginger Steamed Pudding a few weeks ago.

Back in October I started experimenting with a Cinnamon Roll in a Mug recipe.

It went well and I was about to publish it, until I came to edit my photographs. Someone (who shall remain nameless), looked at the photos and immediately fell about laughing. Apparently my cinnamon roll looked a little x-rated 😱.

Now dirty mind or not, once this was mentioned to me, try as I might, I could not un-see it. I really wanted to get the recipe out to you guys so posted the photos in a food bloggers Facebook group and asked their opinion. They all agreed with the afore mentioned dirty minded person 😂.

So that was that. I couldn’t use the photos and had to go out and buy a new mug, reshoot, then Christmas was nearly here, so the recipe has taken a back seat until now. Those of you who saw it on Instagram and wanted the recipe have had a long wait!

(If you want to see the photos that caused all the fuss I have included two of them at the very end of this post under the recipe….see if you can see it….🤣).

ZERO TO DESSERT IN 60 SECONDS!

Back to this very delayed Cinnamon Roll in a Mug. It is so easy to make. It literally takes a minute or two to form and about fifty seconds to cook.

If you have a mug, a microwave & a spoon you can make this single serving One minute Cinnamon Roll in a Mug. It's so easy & perfect for when those sweet cravings hit & you NEED dessert, like now!

Once it’s cooked, turn it out onto a plate and admire it’s cinnamon roll beauty for a second before anointing it with a generous dribble of frosting. Then tuck in immediately. Don’t keep it hanging around. It is best eaten right away because once it cools it gets a bit tough.

If you have a mug, a microwave & a spoon you can make this single serving One minute Cinnamon Roll in a Mug. It's so easy & perfect for when those sweet cravings hit & you NEED dessert, like now!

AN INDULGENT TREAT IN ONLY ONE MINUTE!

My Cinnamon Roll in a Mug is warm, sticky, doughy and cinnamony. The perfect indulgent treat for those times when you absolutely need dessert right now. It is completely oil-free and although not what I would call healthy, it is certainly better for you than most commercially made cinnamon rolls. If mug cakes aren’t for you but you like sweet rolls, then you might want to check out my Sticky Lemon Strawberry Sweet Rolls. They are divine and are cooked in more of a traditional way.

The roll itself is not overly sweet, although you could add sugar to the actual dough if you wanted to make it a little sweeter. With the addition of the frosting though, the sweetness is perfect.

If you have a mug, a microwave & a spoon you can make this single serving One minute Cinnamon Roll in a Mug. It's so easy & perfect for when those sweet cravings hit & you NEED dessert, like now!

HOW TO MAKE MY ONE CINNAMON ROLL IN A MUG

It’s so easy to make. All you have to do is:

  • Make the frosting by mixing powdered sugar with a drop of plant-based milk or water
  • Mix the 4 dough ingredients together in a bowl then roll out into a long strip
  • Sprinkle over the cinnamon and sugar then fold the edges inwards.
  • Roll up and plop into a mug.
  • Microwave, turn out and annoint with the sticky white frosting

That’s it! It really is that simple, but before you start please read the next paragraph.

PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE

I am adding this section after publication because of some of the feedback I have received. The vast majority of people have been very pleased with the results of this recipe, but some people have not, and in almost all cases it is because they have had very unreal expectations of the outcome, or they have nuked the hell out of it in the microwave. Quite a few people have also stuck things in the middle of it before cooking, like a Kit Kat Chunky then complained it burned. I cannot be held responsible for this.

Regarding the unreal expectations:

If you are expecting a Cinnabon type baked, yeasty, fatty, caramelized, super sweet cinnamon roll you will be disappointed. This recipe is not like that. For a start it is oil and yeast free. Secondly, it is a very simplified, quick and easy version. It is also microwaved. It will stay pale and it will not caramelize. This is not possible in the microwave. As long as you realize this and aren’t expecting a miracle, then we are good. For a microwaved, simple, quick version it is great and it needs to be enjoyed as such.

Regarding the overcooking issues:

Please realize that if you cook this cinnamon roll for too long, it will become tough, as anything does in the microwave if you overcook it. I am only able to tell you how long it takes in my microwave. They are all very different and you need to adjust the cooking time to suit as per my directions. I can not be held responsible for you cooking it for so long it ends up like a hockey puck. 😉 As I explain in the directions it is better to slightly undercook then blast it in 5 second increments to finish it off. Microwaves are very powerful things and this is a very small item to be cooking. Even 10 seconds too much makes a heck of a difference.

And lastly

Do not forget the baking powder and DO NOT use baking soda (bicarbonate of soda in the UK) instead. This seems to be another recurring issue. If you do not use baking powder it will not work.

This cinnamon roll must be eaten immediately. If you let it cool first or try to reheat it again it will become tough.

All of my recipes are tested rigorously before publishing and if the directions are followed exactly,  and cooking time is adjusted to suit your microwave, you will get a good result. 😀

Thank you and I will now get off my soap box…😘

If you have a mug, a microwave & a spoon you can make this single serving One minute Cinnamon Roll in a Mug. It's so easy & perfect for when those sweet cravings hit & you NEED dessert, like now!

I did experiment with different flour types while trialling this recipe and all purpose white flour works the best. Whole-wheat gives an ok result, and as much as I love spelt flour, I didn’t really like it in this. On the back of this I would recommend you use all purpose flour and not to try subbing it as I want you to have the best result possible.

Just look at this inside shot!!! <double drool> 🤤

If you have a mug, a microwave & a spoon you can make this single serving One minute Cinnamon Roll in a Mug. It's so easy & perfect for when those sweet cravings hit & you NEED dessert, like now!

IF YOU TRY THIS CINNAMON ROLL IN A MUG LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!

I can’t wait for you to try this awesomely quick and easy Cinnamon Roll in a Mug. Be a ☆and let me know what you think in the comments below or share a pic with me on Instagram. I am @avirtualvegan. Use the hashtag #avirtualvegan so I don’t miss it 😁.

Like what you see here? Join my mailing list here. You will get all new recipes sent straight to your inbox as soon as they are published!

If you love cinnamon be sure to check out my Apple Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel and my Classic Power Bowl and if you have a dirty mind, don’t forget to check below the recipe for the original pics!

HOW TO MAKE MY CINNAMON ROLL IN A MUG


4.77 from 34 votes
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One Minute Cinnamon Roll in a Mug

If you have a mug, a microwave & a spoon you can make this single serving One minute Cinnamon Roll in a Mug. It's so easy & perfect for when those sweet cravings hit & you NEED dessert, like now!
Course Dessert, Snack
Recipe Type oil-free, vegan
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 serving
Calories 413 kcal
Author Mel | A Virtual Vegan

Ingredients

For the cinnamon roll

  • 9 level tablespoons all purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • a pinch of salt
  • Around 3-4½ tablespoons water
  • A tiny dab of oil for greasing the mug coconut or mild olive oil/vegetable oil
  • ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1½ tablespoons coconut sugar you can sub any fine sugar - don't use one with large chunky grains unless you don't mind the grainy texture when it's cooked
  • ½ teaspoon water

For the frosting

Instructions

  1. Grease a normal sized drinking mug (just a standard medium sized one) with a tiny dab of oil. Be sure to reach into the bottom and the edges well.
  2. First make the frosting. In a small bowl mix the powdered sugar with either plant-based milk or water. Add the liquid a tiny bit at a time. It doesn't take much at all and the most you will need is ¾ teaspoon of water, perhaps a tiny drop more if you are using milk. Stir well until smooth then set aside.
  3. Add the flour, baking powder and salt to another small bowl and stir to combine.
  4. Gradually add the water (from the 3-4½ tablespoons, stirring until it starts to form a dough then use your hand to bring it together, kneading a few times until its a smooth, flexible ball of dough. If you do accidentally add a drop too much water and it's a bit sticky, add a little tiny bit more flour. If it's very dry and won't come together, add a drop more water. Only handle it as much as you need to.
  5. Dust your work surface with a little flour, then roll your dough out into a long strip about 4 inches wide and a couple of millimetres thick
  6. Sprinkle the coconut sugar and cinnamon evenly over the dough then fold the edges inwards to seal it in and stop it all falling out when you lift it into the mug.(see my video above).
  7. You will be left with a long narrow strip which you can roll up.
  8. Roll it up and gently lift it and place it in the greased mug.
  9. Pour over ½ teaspoon water then place in the microwave.
  10. Microwave uncovered on full power for around 45 - 50 seconds. My microwave is 1200 watts. You may need to adjust the time a bit up or down. All microwaves are different so be careful not to overcook it. If you overcook it it will become tough so be sure to check how powerful your microwave is first and adjust accordingly. The very maximum time it will need is about 1 min 10 seconds and that is only if you have a really low powered microwave. Remember that it will continue to cook a little bit after you remove so a tiny bit under done is better than overdone as then it will go tough. If it needs longer cook in 5 second increments to avoid over cooking it.
  11. It should have swollen up nicely when you check it and if you insert a toothpick or skewer into the dough it should come out clean. It is normal for the top and sides to be a little soft & damp & look a bit doughy when you first take it out because it has basically steamed in the mug.
  12. Turn out onto a plate and spoon over the frosting.
  13. Eat immediately.
Nutrition Facts
One Minute Cinnamon Roll in a Mug
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 413 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 2%
Sodium 192mg 8%
Potassium 75mg 2%
Total Carbohydrates 94g 31%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Sugars 40g
Protein 7g 14%
Calcium 3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here are the first pictures I took 😂

 

If you have a mug, a microwave & a spoon you can make this One minute Cinnamon Roll in a Mug. Perfect for when you NEED dessert now!
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Comments

  1. I’ve always avoided making my own cinnamon rolls because the recipes can be too complicated, but I love how easy you’ve made it!

    Reply

  3. Yessss!! I’ve been so excited for this recipe and the ingredient list makes me even more excited!! Will definitely be whipping this deliciousness this weekend <3 also love that you included the x rated photos 😉 so funny!

    Reply

    • It’s take a while to get it here thanks to the willy incident ;O) Thank you for being patient and I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply

    • Thank you! I hope you enjoy it. You have no idea how many of these I have eaten…..all in the name of recipe testing of course ;O)

      Reply

  6. It seriously looks so perfect! I’m a huge fan of cinnamon rolls and all things cinnamon really. And I really like the idea of zero to dessert in 60 seconds!! 🙂

    Reply

    • It’s called one minute as that’s how long it takes to cook. It takes a few minutes more to actually make it but no more than 5. 🙂

      Reply

  11. I’m not a fan of microwaves either, I do not have one. I would think you could bake this in the oven though with an oven safe mug?

    Reply

    • I am sure you could but I haven’t tried it myself so am not sure what temperature or cooking time would be best.

      Reply

    • Definitely not. I tested this recipe, it must have been about 20 times. I’ve also been sent lots of photos from readers today who have made it. You did use 9 perfectly level tablespoons of flour? Different flours do have different absorbencies, and humidity makes a difference too, so just follow the directions exactly, adding as much water as you need to create a dough. Just enough that it comes together but isn’t sticky. Do that and it will be fine :O)

      Reply

    • I also needed ALOT more water to make a dough… and measured perfectly level tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Wish I’d even used a tad bit more as my dough just didn’t turn out.

      Reply

      • Sorry to hear that Misty. I do say in the recipe AROUND 3-4.5 tablespoons water because the amount needed will always vary depending on the flour used and the humidity of where you live, how warm your house is etc. It is impossible to give an exact amount. You just need to keep adding it until it forms a flexible, soft dough.

        Reply

  13. This is awesome, Mel! You made me laugh! I can so relate to the x-rated food shots. It’s happened to me twice, and I didn’t realize until someone pointed it out. So true that you can’t un-see it after that. Well, now your photos look g-rated and the mug cake looks insanely good. I rarely use my microwave, but I’ll dust it off for this 🙂

    Reply

  15. I made this just now, and it’s more labour-intensive than most “mug cake” recipes, but it actually turned out pretty good, for what it was. 45-50 seconds wasn’t enough time in the microwave, though; I did 45 seconds at first, and kept adding time (like, 5, 10, 15, or 20 seconds at a time) until it looked like it was cooked enough; flipping the cinnamon roll over at the end. I also used a wide mug, which I think was a mistake, so I’ll use a thinner one if I ever make this again…….and I probably will; just once in a while, because of the sugar and simple carb content.

    Reply

    • I personally wouldn’t call it labour intensive at all. Yes it has a few more steps than most mug cakes because it’s not just a simple sponge and you have to make the roll, but it only takes a couple of minutes and it’s really easy.
      As I stated in the directions, all microwaves vary slightly and you need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. I can only go by how long it takes in my microwave and 45-50 seconds is always just right for me.
      I’m so glad it worked out well for you though and thanks so much for stopping by to leave feedback :O)

      Reply

  16. I made this and I loved it!! It turned out perfectly – the perfect doughy texture with a melty cinnamon sugar center – and that delicious icing drizzled over the top. So yum!!

    Reply

    • Ha ha! I know the feeling. I must have made about 30 of these while recipe testing and ate every single one ;O)

      Reply

  18. I didnt get what you mean by 9 level tablespoons all purpose flour. What is 9 level, thank you for the irresistible recipe 😋😋👍🏻👍🏻.

    Reply

    • You are welcome Zaina. Scoop up some flour in a tablespoon and level the top with the back of a knife so it is completely flat. That is a level tablespoon. You need 9 measured like that. Hope that helps :O)

      Reply

  20. Oooo my, another easy peasy recipe to make us fat…ha ha! I make cinnamon buns for every Christmas morning . That’s it, cause if I made them any other time…yuppers, all 12 would distapear.. But seriously, thanks for a quick, easy recipe for that quick fix without feeling guilty about eating some massive store bought unhealthy alternative.. Kudos Think I’ll try this weekend..

    Reply

    • Thank you June. You can’t beat a big homemade yeasty, sticky, oven-baked cinnamon rol,l but this very simplified alternative works as perfect portion control! Enjoy :O)

      Reply

  21. Do you know if this recipe could work with disposable cups/mugs? I would love to make this with the kids at camp, but would definitely not be able to use real mugs. Also, would cooking spray work to coat the mug instead of oil? Thank you, looks yummy!

    Reply

    • Cooking spray would work fine to coat the mug instead of oil. As for disposable cups, I am not sure. I personally don’t like the idea of microwaving in a plastic cup even if they are microwave safe, because of the potential leaching of nasties in the plastic into the food. After a quick google I can see that you can get microwaveable paper cups. My only worry with those is how easy it would be to get the roll out once they were cooked. I wonder if it would stick to the textured surface of the paper? I suppose you could just tear the cup off though. Bear in mind also that the recipe is designed to fit in a standard sized drinking mug. Paper cups tend to be a bit smaller so you might need to scale down the recipe a bit to fit. It would sure be a fun thing for the kids at camp to do though. I hope you manage to work it out!

      Reply

  22. Have you ever tried using orange juice instead of water in both the roll and the frosting? I made the cinnamon roll (didn’t have any oj) and other than needing to figure out the dough part it came out great! I put in too much liquid and then too much flour. Complete user error. And no frosting- I’m not a frosting kind of girl. 🙂

    Reply

    • I have never tried orange juice in the roll or frosting but I am sure it would work and be delicious. Sounds like you were a little heavy handed with the water and then the flour! The trick is to add the water very, very gradually so you get just enough to bring it together which I’m sure you realize now 😉
      You might find a tablespoon of sugar added to the dough good if you aren’t including the frosting, unless you don’t have a particularly sweet tooth.
      Thanks so much for stopping by to leave feedback Krista. I’m glad it worked out for you and if you try the OJ version let me know how it is!

      Reply

      • I bought OJ just to try this today! I was much more careful adding the liquid and the dough came out wonderfully! The OJ added a slight citrus flavor which was nice but for a more orangey flavor I think I would add orange zest. Thank you for sharing this recipe! I love it!!!!!

        Reply

        • Thats awesome Krista! The zest would be lovely and would look pretty flecked through the dough too. I need to try it next time! I am so glad you are enjoying the recipe 😃

          Reply

  23. Yes Mel
    Firstly should have read your Bio…your a transplanted Canadian. I’m in Ontario. Have family in Coquitlam.
    Your right, you can’t beat a yeast baked cinnamon bun, all ooey and gooey. I did make your cinnamon bun for breaky this morning. I have to admit, being a baker for over 45 years, I was impressed. Thought it would be more like a biscuit, but was very dough like. I did tweak the recipe. I added a couple of tablespoons of fine sugar to the dough mixture. I also rubbed about a teaspoon of butter to the rolled out dough before adding the cinnamon and sugar. I also used my own buttercream for the icing. Since I’m a hobby cake decorator, I usually always have on hand. Was very tasty, and 2 thumbs up. 👍👍 And also agreed, nice treat and good for portion control!!

    Reply

    • Thank you June! I am glad you enjoyed it. Your tweaks sound good. I can only imagine how nice it is with buttercream slathered on top! I have been trying my best to not cook with much added oil, but now you have made me want to make buttercream 😉 I have been meaning to publish a recipe for it here at some point. I need to get on it! What a start to the day you had with that for breakfast. Sure beats my oatmeal!
      Thanks so much for stopping by to leave feedback, I really appreciate it!

      Reply

    • Ha ha! 😂 You actually made me nearly choke on my coffee then!….. Proof it’s a health and safety hazard….They really should just be used for cakes and cinnamon rolls 🤣

      Reply

  26. I see nothing x-rated about your roll or mug. This is definitely a winner. I think I’ll look for an x-rated mug! LOL

    Reply

    • Thank you Mary! You are obviously sweet and innocent…not like the people I live with & work with 😂 An x-rated mug would be fantastic to cook it in…send me a pic if you find one!!!

      Reply

  28. Could this be done in a non ceramic mug….like a “to go” paper coffee cup?

    Can the dough be made in advance/filled/rolled/prepped in advance for grab/drop in cup/nuke/serve preparation for a large catering??

    Desperate to find out! Thank you for your help! Catering an event in March with LOTS of vegan attendees, and would love to offer something lovely like this!!

    Reply

    • I have never tried it in a paper cup. I’m not sure how easily they would be to remove from the paper once cooked. I wonder if the dough might cling to it a bit. As I have never tried I really can’t say for sure.
      I have never tried making the dough in advance. My worry would be that the baking powder might lose it’s ooommpph if you do.
      I will be honest and say that I don’t think it is the best recipe for a catering event. They really do need to be eaten immediately as they go a bit tough if left to cool. Unless people were getting them and eating them super quick this would be a problem.
      I do have a recipe that would work brilliantly at a catering event though. My Baked Banana Puddings with Boozy Rum Caramel. I still don’t know about the paper cups for it though. Note that the caramel is still awesome if you omit the rum and use water instead so don’t worry about the alcohol. https://avirtualvegan.com/banana-pudding-sticky-rum-caramel/ They aren’t quite as easy to make but they are absolutely to die for delicious and can be made ahead and kept in the fridge for a few days. They also freeze brilliantly. The caramel also keeps well for up to a week in the fridge. The puddings themselves can be reheated in an oven or the microwave would work too. You can warm them through for frozen too with brilliant results.
      Another super easy recipe which would work in paper cups is this one https://avirtualvegan.com/healthy-vegan-chocolate-pudding/.

      Reply

    • I would imagine so but I haven’t tried it. The cook time might increase a little but start with the time suggested, check them, then give them very short little blasts until done if not.

      Reply

  30. Can hardly wait to try this! Have you ever put vanilla in the dough or frosting? I think it would add a great flavor. Can I just stop at one is the challenge. lol

    Reply

    • Thanks Anna. You could totally put vanilla in the dough or frosting if you wanted to. The frosting only needs a really tiny amount of liquid so be careful about the amount of water you use if you add vanilla. Enjoy!

      Reply

    • Thank you Amber! I hope you enjoy it when you eventually get to make it. And yes, the pics were unintentionally hilarious!! ;O)

      Reply

  32. I had to make this. Only had spelt flour and still turned out yummy delicious 👌😃 thank you! Will try all plain flour next time

    Reply

  33. Ok – so I tried this with the flours and sugars we can use on our diet, Using 1T Flax, 4T Almond flour and 4 T Coconut flour, (no all purpose flour)
    For the dough – I used 1 T of Almond milk and two T of water – of course Rolling it was a joke – did the best I could
    I used Xylitol for the sugar (only needed 1/2 of sugar/cinnamon of what I made)

    For the frosting I used stevia powder, and coconut flour (cause I didn’t have the coconut sugar) and one drop of French Vanilla Stevia liquid – and let that set up (no powdered sugar)
    I placed it in the cup using a thin spatula and putting the crumbs on top.
    Put it in the microwave one whole minute
    Poured it into a serving dish – (which it broke in half) – and put the frosting stevia powder mixture on top…
    It’s eatable. (This is for a diabetic)
    Next time I will add a part of a green Granny Smith apple.

    Reply

  34. just made it. too dry, and not gooey inside like pic of yours. probably something I did wrong.
    also, did not see anything wrong with pics at end of recipe….

    blessings and thanks
    Barb

    Reply

    • You could well have overcooked it if it is too dry. Timings vary depending on your microwave and jut a few seconds too long can make all the difference. The frosting helps to moistens it up too 🙂

      Reply

  35. I’ve tryed this recipe but although it tastes delicious my roll came out dry in some parts ans very hard to chew. Should I have put more water? Or did I cook it for too long?

    Reply

    • If it is hard to chew then yes, you overcooked it. Timings vary depending on your microwave and jut a few seconds too long can make all the difference. Did you adjust the cooking time to suit your microwaves wattage?

      Reply

      • Hi! I”ve tryed it again, this time I’ve cooked for exactly 1 minute and it turned out perfect. I loved it! Delicious!!! Thank you!

        Reply

        • That’s great Priscila! I am glad adjusting the time made a difference. Thank you so much for coming back to let me know 😀

          Reply

  36. Looks yummy. Definayely going to try it for tge grandbabies!

    P.S. I showed my hubby the last 2 picks and he very quickly got this look on his face and looked at me and said “it climaxed to early”!! I ’bout died!!!

    Reply

    • Ha ha ha! I think I might have died laughing too. Be careful how you shape them when you make them with the grandbabies. I don’t want to be accused of corrupting children! 😉😂

      Reply

    • It’s not something I have ever tried so I wouldn’t like to say. You can however freeze cake batter and it rises after, so perhaps it would work? If you try it let me know!

      Reply

  39. Just made this, since I’m living in Germany, I used a lighter flour (type 405) and it turned out great. Taste great and I made sure not to overcook it. Great recipe, will totally make this again!

    Reply

  41. OMG the pictures at the end!!!! I will be completely honest with you – had you not mentioned the naughty minds, I highly doubt I would have noticed myself. Silly clean mind I have. But now that you point it out, it’s pretty freakin’ hi-larious 😉 So thanks for sharing!
    “As long as you realize this and aren’t expecting a miracle, then we are good.”
    Wowzers. I would never expect any sort of mug + microwave combo to be a miracle… and wouldn’t get upset if I messed it up. But… that’s just me.
    So I will tell you that I am definitely trying this, but will have to try it gluten-free which will undoubtedly screw it up – but I’ll play around with it. I’ll see if my new 1:1 gf flour is up to snuff or not 😉

    Reply

    • Right?! I can’t help but snigger every-time I see this recipe now! I am glad you aren’t expecting a miracle. Some people have been disappointed when it doesn’t miraculously turn into a Cinnabon whilst in the microwave. They don’t seem to get that that just isn’t going to happen! 😉 But it is great, just different. I tried oat flour and Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free and it didn’t work too well. If you come up with a winning gluten-free combination though let me know. I hope you get a good result!

      Reply

  42. You didn’t mention anything about using self-rising flour. Won’t that work too.

    The critics are right about your first pictures.

    Darken your coloring here. I really had a hard time knowing if I correct

    Reply

    • We don’t have self-raising flour here. Just all-purpose or bread flour. Because of this I am unable to test the recipe with it which is why I don’t mention it. The gluten content of our all-purpose flour is a lot higher than that of self-raising so it might not work as well if you were to use it. Bread flour might work better but again I can’t guarantee results because I haven’t tried it. If you did use self-raising flour, the leavening would need to be adjusted too. I can’t advise on whether it would need to be reduced or omitted completely as I am unable to try it myself.
      Darkening the colouring of the text isn’t an easy thing for me to do. I would have to hire someone to do it for me. I can read it ok and have only ever had one other person say they had a problem reading it. I’m sorry you find it difficult but it’s not something I can pay for just for a couple of people. Perhaps you could increase the size of the text on your screen?

      Reply

  43. Hey, I just made this recipe and it worked out great. The measurements are very accurate. I did add 1 tsp of sugar to the dough. I also cooked it in the oven @ 350 degrees for 20 min. I did not need this to be quick, I just wanted a 1 portion treat. I actually split the dough in two and placed in a lightly greased muffin pan. Getting the ingredients together took only 5 min. So total of 25 min if placing in the oven. But I would check the cinnamon roll in 15 min to make sure it doesn’t over cook, in my oven 20 mins seemed to work perfect. Thanks for the recipe. Best

    Reply

    • Hi Yvette. I’m so glad it worked out for you in the oven. I haven’t yet tried it so it’s useful to know in case anyone asks. Thanks so much for letting me know!

      Reply

      • No problem, just FYI I did split the dough in half so maybe that cuts the time a little. Also I added a few drops maybe 1/2 teaspoon of EB with the cinn mix 😬. So my dough did not dry out. I would recommend to perhaps spray the top a little with oil or coconut oil, but if going for oil free maybe water, but I’m not sure? Also I did not add the extra water since it was not going into the microwave, I thought it wasn’t necessary. The cinnamon roll was perfect actually and it cooled down and it was still perfect. A little crunch on the edge but moist inside. I think am going to try this next time in my instant pot and see what happens. Nice recipe, thanks! ✌️

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  45. So this came out PERFECTLY. I even made another last night. I don’t have any powdered sugar, so I just melted a little butter over the sides when it came out, which is wonderful as well. I’m not vegan so I did use milk instead of water in the dough, but the measurements for everything were just right for me. I’ve already shared this page with others 🙂

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  47. I made these cinnamon rolls, individually for my hubby and I, and they were huge… I didn’t use a mug instead I used a small microwaveable bowl. But I’m not complaining it was delicious. I did add some butter, brown sugar, and vanilla.

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  51. After I FINALLY got to the recipe it looks great and easy. I have done other mug cakes and they turned out great. But can’t wait to try the cinn roll. Would rather not have to go through so much just to get to recipe. By the time you get through all the adds and talk you almost don’t want to click here again. Looks so delicious

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    • Glad you like the recipe. Most of my readers come here for the story before the recipe. That’s part of what a blog is. With this recipe though, a lot of what comes before the recipe is actually necessary to read before you make it to ensure good results. And I am afraid the ads are a necessary evil. You would probably be very surprised at how expensive it is to keep this website running. They help cover some of the costs. I wouldn’t be able to afford to pay for it all out of my own pocket. 🙂

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  52. My kids are beyond excited to see this. My son has directed me to immediately make this for his breakfast this morning. We too like mug cakes so this should fill in that speedy morning gap. Thank you for sharing, and thanks for sharing the photos after. Those made me giggle 😉

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    • That’s great Tiffanie! I hope they enjoy them! They are a fun project for kids to make themselves too, although probably not a good idea before school! 😉

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    • It’s been getting great feedback so I am surprised you found it ‘disgusting’. More specific feedback would be helpful as it’s impossible to troubleshoot without at least some idea of what went wrong. Perhaps you could be more specific?
      The only people who seem to have had problems are those that have substituted an ingredient or overcooked it. Perhaps this was the problem here?

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  54. To me this looks like the very center of a cinnamon roll, which everyone knows is the best part! yummy! I shall try this. (I peeked at your “former” pictures” , and, indeed, I have to agree with nameless! lololol!

    Reply

    • Ha ha! You have a dirty mind too! 😉 And yes it is kind of like the centre if a traditional cinnamon roll. I hadn’t thought of it like that until now. Hope you enjoy it Trish!

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  55. Good for you Mel that you’ve explain that people SHOULD read a recipe first then do exactly as the recipe reads, otherwise they shouldn’t complain that theirs didn’t work. I also agree with you that ALL microwaves aren’t the same, so they should also take that in to consideration, but to just do as you say, if it doesn’t work, “try, try and try again until you succeed” that’s my motto anyway with everything.
    I love that I can now make and have just one, otherwise I’d eat a whole tray if there were more made.

    Reply

    • Thank you Josephine. I appreciate your support. After this recipe was published it went viral on Facebook with over 2.5 million views which is fantastic, but I received a lot of negative messages from people who hadn’t followed the recipe properly. Par for the course I suppose when so many people are making it, but at one point it really started getting to me and I nearly deleted the recipe from my website because of it. It’s thanks to the support of some other bloggers who tested the recipe for me after I doubted myself, and assured me that it worked perfectly well, plus fabulous readers like yourself with their lovely comments, that it’s still there today. That’s why I ended up adding all of the extra instructions. It seems to be helping and people are having a much more positive experience now that I have stressed the importance of following the recipe exactly. It’s been a learning curve though and I realize I have to develop a thicker skin as my blog grows and reaches more and more people. There are always going to be those that you just can’t please no matter what. Thankfully the vast majority are wonderful (like you) and it’s that that keeps me going! Have a fab weekend and I hope you enjoy your cinnamon roll! 😀

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  56. THIS WAS AMAZING. Tried it twice this morning and came out great both times, not as pretty as yours but definitely super tasty! This is a life changing recipe.

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  57. I never post on recipes & don’t even use social media, other than pinterest of course . i was craving a cinnabon all day after a trip to the mall but didn’t want millions of calories . I found this recipe at the perfect time , & was quite skeptical i must say. i was shocked at how easy & delicious this came out! the directions. are amazingly precise as well! great job !

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  59. I know this is a dessert recipe and I tried it and I enjoyed, it I think next time though I would make it with 40 seconds on my 1200 watt microwave. I was wondering have you ever tried, since this is just a good dough recipe and easy mug type food to maybe put butter and garlic salt, maybe some parsley and roll that up for like a spaghetti dinner or something? I’m think I’m going to try that one of these days. This is a nice little recipe.

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  60. This was good and did not disappoint, I am however hoing to experiment with the icing, never been crazy about powdered sugar glaze, for me it mad the roll taste artificial, perhaps something more along the line of caramel (brown sugar) glaze or maple syrup

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    • That’s great Wendy. I am glad you enjoyed it. A brown sugar caramel type glaze would be awesome, or as you say just straight maple syrup. This recipe has been so successful that I plan to make some variations of it in the future.

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  61. I have a questionably dirty mind, and I didn’t see anything wrong with the first pics, except that I was LOOKING for it, so now I can kind of get it. But if I hadn’t known first, I wouldn’t have thought twice about them, LOL…😂

    Reply

    • It’s funny that everyone is so divided on it. Some people see it right away, others say it’s not dirty at all. I think it says a lot about those of us who do see it! 😂

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  62. Yes, agreed. Very dirty pictures. Thank you for this great recipe! I will definitely be trying this very soon…

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    • So glad it worked out Arina and thank you for letting me know here. It will be really useful for others to see. 🙂

      Reply

    • I’m not surprised it failed if you didn’t follow the directions. The measurements and full instructions are all there at the bottom of my post as they are with every single one of my recipes. 🙂

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  68. This was really yummy and it turned out pretty well! I did read ALL your instructions before my attempt. Thanks for this recipe. Sometimes you just need a little something sweet!

    Reply

    • More than sometimes for me! ;O) So glad it worked out for you Linda and thank you for stopping by to leave feedback. 😀

      Reply

    • Ha ha! As it happens my son has an absolutely huge Chelsea football club mug which we sometimes use to make this. 😉

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    • Right?! I don’t know what I was thinking (or not thinking) when I took them! Hope you enjoy the cinnamon roll. Make sure yours doesn’t look x-rated! 😉

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  71. Oh my goodness…. I kind of hate the fact that I have seen this recipe, due to the fact that it’s going to be dangerous. THIS IS SOOO GOOD!! Thank you for sharing this recipe, it really is amazing.

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    • Ha ha! Thank you Susan.I am so glad you are enjoying it. It is dangerous once you know how. I’ve lost count of how many I’ve made!

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  72. As you pre-warned, this is not Cinnabon. However, this tasted pretty darn good! The only thing was my cinnamon didn’t melt into other ingredients that well.

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    • I’m glad you enjoyed it. Its just perfect for those times when you want something sweet and stodgy but have no time or inclination to make something more involved. The cinnamon doesn’t really ‘melt’ into the bun in this recipe because it’s quite a dry mixture with no oil/butter, but with the frosting running down through it I think it works well. You could if you wanted to make it moister and ‘meltier’ by spreading a bit of coconut oil or vegan butter on the dough before you sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar on.

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  74. I didn’t see the “Willy” in the pics but perhaps it’s because in the U.K. They don’t trim it like in the US so to speak. That being said I’m off to make this dessert 🙂

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  75. Great recipe to satisfy my sweet tooth! I had to add more flour as my dough was quite sticky with 3 tablespoons water, just slowly added until it gave a nice shape. Also i microwaved first for 1 minute, then 20 sec, flipped it on a plate and did another 10 sec, turned out great (my microwave is only 800 watts). I like using milk instead of water for the frosting, but otherwise turned out awesome. Will definitely be making again.

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  76. We love this recipe. It’s great for my kids to make with a little supervision and turns out perfect every-time. Thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply

    • I am so glad you and your children are enjoying it Sue and thank you for taking the time to leave feedback!

      Reply

  77. Hi Mel: I literally just signed into my Pinterest and and your recipe was right there staring at me. Not only I am excited to try it, thank you for giving me my first smile of the day. Loved reading the story about the photos and then seeing you posted them at the bottom after the recipe. So glad I found your page. I now have you to follow on Pinterest and Facebook 🙂

    Reply

    • Those pictures still make me chuckle! I am glad they brought a smile to your face too. Make sure you don’t use a tall thin mug or you might end up with a rude cinnamon roll too! 🤣 So glad you found me. I hope you enjoy this recipe and any others you try!

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  79. Soooo good. Am eating it out of the mug right now. This was far too easy and so delicious I could repeatedly make and eat one after the other… 😳

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    • Lucky you! I am jealous 😉 It is a pretty dangerous recipe because once you know how, it’s hard to resist making one every day! So glad you enjoyed it and thank you for coming back to leave feedback. I really appreciate it!

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  80. Great recipe…. can’t wait to try it!!! Couldn’t help laughing at the photos that caused such a stir!!! Will try this at work next week… I love making mug cakes for my co workers….

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  81. I do have to agree your dirty minded friends were right. . . I like you would not have seen it either until it was pointed out. Also like you I can’t unsee it either.

    I will still try your recipe. 🙂

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  82. Thanks for the disclaimer and what to expect…microwave oven is different to baking oven. its nice. job well done

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  83. These are great! I had a hard time getting it out of my mug because it expanded so much so I just pried it out and put it on the plate a little bit longer cuz it was sticky on the outside. Tastes delicious!

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  86. Well, yeah…the last two pix in the oder you put them in is,food porn, literally. Can’t wait to try the recipe ‘tho!

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  87. I tried this recipe with gluten-free flour and it worked! I’m going to do a little tweaking to improve the flavor (pre-mixed gluten free flour can taste rather bland), but otherwise, I am very pleased with the result. Thanks for posting this! 😃

    Reply

    • I’m so glad it worked out for you with gluten-free flour. I should experiment some more. I tried with one variety and it was a disaster. Have fun with your tweaking and thank you for stopping by to leave feedback!

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  88. Currently eating my cinnamon roll in a mug! Enjoying it with a glass of milk..delicious! Thanks for the share!💕

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  89. I definitly see it! ☺️… good choice going with a second shoot! worse then I was thinking LOL! For some reason all I was thinking was “I want to see!” So I was oddly happy when I saw they were included! 😱Anyway, we are a feingold family (no artificials) so sometimes my kids miss cinnamon rolls! I was excited to see this and I surprised them with it as a breakfast treat one morning before school. I love how easy and fast it was to make! Unfortunately they didn’t last long enough to get pics but oh well, just an excuse to make them again! They were a big hit with my 11 & 9 year old girls! Thanks!!!!

    Reply

    • Ha ha! And once you see it you can’t un-see it! I am so sorry to corrupt you all 😉 What a lovely surprise for your kids and I am so glad they enjoyed them! Thank you for stopping by to leave feedback. It’s much appreciated!

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  90. My husband and I made this recipe tonight and it was a big hit! We had all the ingredients and it took very little time to make. We loved it and will be making it again.

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    • That’s so good to hear Ashley! Thank you for coming back to let me know. I really appreciate it! 😀

      Reply

  91. Thanks for the beautiful recipe! I didn’t have any cinnamon but it looked soooo good so made it with cocoa and sugar instead. Just disappointed my mug wasn’t big enoug. Stunning!

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    • That’s great! Thank you so much. I’m glad you managed to adapt it to suit the ingredients you had. A chocolate version is a great idea. I might have a play around with that. You might have inspired a new recipe! 😉

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  94. I don’t know what you are talking about when you said if you unrealistic expectations. I wernt into this expecting them to be just ok. They were soooo good. I was thoroughly surprised. Even my kids loved them. The only difference I noticed was they were a little more sense and slightly chewier, but not even remotely enough that it is not enjoyable. I think it’s a perfect recipe. The only thing I changed was using skim or almond milk in place of water since we are vegetarian. Thanks so much.

    Reply

    • That is awesome and makes me very happy! It’s always great when something turns out better than you expect. Perhaps I shouldn’t talk it down so much. That all came about after the video went viral on Facebook. It had literally millions of views and some people left some not so good feedback there. I think in most cases though they didn’t follow the directions properly or they didn’t read the directions at all and just followed the video guessing quantities. I guess it’s only to be expected when so many people are making it. All the feedback here on the blog has been great though and thank you so much for stopping by to leave yours. It’s much appreciated!

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    • If you allow them to sit in the fridge before cooking you will lose a bit of leavening as the baking powder activates as soon as liquid is added. They probably wouldn’t puff up so much and would be a bit denser. I haven’t personally tried it so can’t guarantee how they would turn out but I suspect it would be better if you cook pretty soon after making the dough. Hope that helps!

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  97. I LOVE YOU! I can’t believe how good it was for something so simple to make. You made me and my hubby so happy! Thank you 🙂

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    • Aaaww thank you! I am so glad you both enjoyed it. Watch out for a new variation I’m currently testing! 😉

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      • Thanks for the great looking recipe!!! I was wondering if I could try a bit of margarine on the dough before the cinnamon and sugar sprinkle? What do you think? Have you ever tried it??

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    • I only calculate the total fat content in my recipes. I don’t break it down into the different types of fat. But this recipe only has 1g of fat in it total and it is completely oil-free (except for the tiny dab you need to grease the mug) so it wont have any saturated fat.

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  99. Just tried this and it was so freakin good!! I happened to have all the ingredients already and it was so easy to make. I will definitely be making it again soon!!

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  100. This recipe is amazing thank you so much for sharing! It’s super easy and very close to a real cinammon roll.

    Reply

    • I’m so glad you like it! Watch out for a brand new recipe based on this one coming soon. I think it’s even better!

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  101. When it’s all cooked drizzle with peanut butter and applesauce, A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!!!

    Thanks for a in treat. My daughters think I’m super cool now 😂😂

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    • Oh that does sounds amazing! I’m so glad you both enjoyed it and that you are now a super cool Mom! 😉 Keep a look out because I have just perfected and photographed a new summery spin on this recipe. It will be coming soon!

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  102. This is such a good recipe! I’ve been searching for a mug cake recipe that doesn’t use eggs and this one is so delicious! Thank you xx

    Reply

    • I am thrilled you like it so much and thank you so much for stopping by to let me know! Watch out for a new recipe based on this one coming very soon. It has a real summery twist and I think it’s even better!

      Reply

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