This single serving, oil-free Cinnamon Roll in a Mug is like magic. 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 super quick vegan desserts like vegan 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 Strawberry Mug Cake. Vegan mug cake recipes for the win!
Back in October, I started experimenting with a Cinnamon Roll in a Mug recipe, or Cinnamon Bun in a Mug as some might think of it. A whole batch is lovely, but sometimes that's not what you want. A single-serving Cinnamon Roll is just plenty.
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 rude !
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....).
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 you love mug cakes, check out my Strawberry Sweet Roll Mug Cake and 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.
How to make a cinnamon roll in a mug
For detailed measurements and instructions, see the printable recipe card.
It is so easy to make. It literally takes a minute or two to form and about fifty seconds to cook.
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.
Here's how it's done:
- 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 prior to making 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.
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. I also tried gluten-free blend and the results were not good. 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>
Hungry for more?
For more vegan mug cake recipes check out these great options:
One Minute Cinnamon Roll in a Mug
Author: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
- 3 tablespoons natural powdered sugar
- A drop of plant-based milk or water around ¾ teaspoon
INSTRUCTIONS
- 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.
- 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.
- Add the flour, baking powder and salt to another small bowl and stir to combine.
- 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.
- 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
- 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).
- You will be left with a long narrow strip which you can roll up.
- Roll it up and gently lift it and place it in the greased mug.
- Pour over ½ teaspoon water then place in the microwave.
- 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.
- 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.
- Turn out onto a plate and spoon over the frosting. Eat immediately.
NUTRITION
Nutritional information is provided for convenience & as a courtesy. The data is a computer generated estimate so should be used as a guide only.
Here are the first pictures I took!
Tammy says
Sorry but it was bad it tasted just like flour, couldn't eat a single bite, I really had high hopes for this but I was so disappointed 😥 and no I followed this recipe completely didn't change a single thing it just was really bad.
Thanks anyways ❤️
Jacqui Clarke says
Incredible for a mug cake. People need to keep their expectations in check. It's a mug cake made in the microwave FGS. When you keep that in mind you can really appreciate how good it is.
Jill says
My partner, who is usually much pickier than me, ate up his cinnamon roll with no complaints. I, however, barely got through half of mine. Tough, dry, barely edible, and there was far too much dry cinnamon, which tasted bitter. Filling needed melted butter. For a mug cake it was messier and the clean-up was more time-consuming than most, because you have to roll out the dough and there’s no tidy way of doing that. If you’re prepared to do that you might as well roll dough into balls, pour over a quick treacle syrup, and bake them in the oven - and have moist, fluffy spicy dumplings in sauce half an hour later.
Caroline says
Just made it then made another right after. What can I say? I have a good appetite. For a microwave dessert it's really great. I'll be making them frequently.
Jenni Henner says
Unfortunately this was unedible!! It was so chewy and tasted like flour
Bev says
I used gluten free flour and it was awful. Lmao
A Virtual Vegan says
That's because you didn't follow the recipe. It calls for all purpose flour and not gluten-free flour. I even go as far as to say in the post that I tested it with gluten-free flour and it didn't work well and recommend not using it.
Sara says
Oh, hello! How have I never made a cinnamon roll in the microwave before?? It was DELICIOUS and super easy. Thanks for a great recipe. I can see myself making one of these to go along with my afternoon tea. Yum!
Kylie Smith says
Fantastic! Love everything about it especially how easy it is. I wouldn't usually make desserts but this is simple enough even for me.
Jane says
Wow! For a microwave roll this is amazing! We loved it. I made one for each of the kids then ended up having to make myself one. Ha!
Sarah says
Afraid the creator of this recipe would hunt me down if I posted a negative comment based on the laughable introduction and replies to other comments but here to say I followed the recipe to a T and came out with an inedible tire! Don’t waste your time.
Heather says
Make sure you read the reviews. The dough comes out touch and there is too much of the sugar/cinnamon powder. You can't really make a true cinnamon roll without letting the dough rise via using yeast. I'd suggest making a cinnamon cake mug cake, as this just comes out too chewy and overpowered with cinnamon.
飞飞 says
This my first vegan cinnamon roll and it's pretty good! Obviously it will be rubbery and pale, but I will say this was the best cinnamon roll I've ever had. The dough part took a while but it was worth it. The first time I tried making a mug cinnamon roll (not according to this recipe), it turned out horrendous like a toilet paper roll ? If you do it right it's actually a nice snack. Just take your time and really don't overcook it. My microwave is around 800-900 watts and definitely stay under 1min 10 sec. Thanks for a nice snack!!
Linda says
Hi Mel,
Can this be made with a gluten free four? I'm guessing you would have added that if it were possible, but I can't resist asking as I am trying so hard to help one of my daughters find gluten free recipes. However, I have given her your web site & told her that you do offer gluten free when applicable. Just thought I'd take a little leap & ask re: this particular recipe.
Thank you for any help you may have to offer! I get your daily emails & my daughter & I just love them!
A Virtual Vegan says
Hi Linda. Glad you're enjoying the emails! I've never tried this recipe gluten-free. I'm sure someone in the comments said they did successfully but I can't find it. There are so many comments on this recipe now it's like looking for a needle in a haystack. If you try it let us know how it goes!
Bec says
Not sure about the other negative reviews as this was perfect for me! Absolutely divine, food-coma worthy.
A Virtual Vegan says
I'm really pleased you enjoyed it Bec and thanks for taking the time to leave a review. It's much appreciated!
Zoe says
I'm a home baker and sell cinnamon rolls on a weekly basis. Tonight I had a craving for something sweet and wanted to try a mug cake like I always used to make in college. I find this to be a satisfying treat! As to the disappointed reviews, I think its definitely key not to overcook it. My microwave is 1000W output, and I cooked it for 50 seconds in a nice sturdy ceramic mug. I think I could have done even shorter time since mine had just a slight chew to it. I would definitely make this again when I need a quick fix for a sweet treat!