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Cinnamon Roll in a Mug

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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!

Cinnamon Roll in a Mug turned out and drizzled in frosting

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 Easy Maple Ginger Steamed Pudding and my Strawberry Sweet Roll in a Mug. Vegan mug 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 as. A whole batch is lovely, but sometimes that’s not what you want. A Cinnamon Roll for one 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 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 WITH THIS MICROWAVE CINNAMON ROLL!

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.

cinnamon roll in a mug taken from above

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.

cinnamon roll in a mug turned out and cut in half with a fork stuck in one half

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 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.

cinnamon roll in a mug turned out but not frosted

HOW TO MAKE THIS ONE MINUTE 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.

And if you LOVE this recipe be sure to check out my Strawberry Sweet Roll in a Mug which is a spin off and even more delish! Here it is 😍

Strawberry Sweet Roll Mug Cake

PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU MAKE THIS CINNAMON ROLL IN A MUG 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…😘

cinnamon roll in a mug turned out on a square plate and frosted. Shot taken from above.

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> 🤤

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 EASY MUG CINNAMON ROLL 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 hugely popular No Knead Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread 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 A CINNAMON ROLL IN A MUG


4.71 from 85 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 😂

 

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! #mugcake #cinnamonroll #vegan #cinnamon #dessert #microwave #oilfree
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  1. thank you for the one-minute-cinnamon-roll-in-a-mug!!!! This is a very tasty and easy soul food!!! <3
    Best wishes from Vienna (Austria)
    Sabine

    Reply

  2. I made this gluten free using bob’s red mill all purpose flour blend! Needed extra water and about 10 more seconds in microwave, but otherwise delicious and extremely easy! Delicious recipe!

    Reply

    • It’s good to know the BRM all purpose works well. Perfect for anyone scanning the comments wondering if gluten-free is do-able. I’m so glad you were able to make it work for you Annabelle, and thank you so much for leaving feedback!

      Reply

  4. I made this and it was YUMMY!
    I used brown sugar along with the cinnamon, a little more salt than the recipe suggested and drizzled with maple syrup as well as the powdered sugar glaze. I was happy.

    Reply

  5. I’m sorry but this cinnamon roll had no flavor to it. I followed the recipe exactly as it said. Like I said sorry I’m glad others enjoyed it.

    Reply

  6. I tried to make it today and, even though I cooked it for the maximum time suggested in the recipe, it still tasted kinda raw 😕 is that normal?

    Reply

    • It’s not normal for it to taste raw. Did you check the wattage of your microwave and adjust the cook time to suit as instructed? They are all so different so the first time you make this recipe is kind of a little trial and error with the cook time.

      Reply

  8. I always like reading all the comments. I thought it was delicious and I followed the recipe to a T. Microwaved it for 50 seconds. Looked just like yours!!! It amazes me that people are always trying to change or add to the recipe before they have even tried it as published! The glaze on top adds just the right amount of sweetness. But then I eat Vegan so I do not like gobbs of sugar and sweetness. Oh wait you are wrighting a Vegan recipes blog!!

    Reply

    • I’m so glad you enjoyed it Iris and thank you so much for stopping by to leave feedback. I really appreciate it!

      Reply

  9. Thanks for the recipe. I replaced sugar with palm sugar and increased the quantity of cinnamon powder. Also added a dash of vanilla to the dough. It turned out to be super yummy!!!

    Reply

  10. I have to say, this is the best cinnamon roll in a mug recipe I’ve found. The others I found are like a cinnamon cake, but I wanted something with a yeast roll structure and didn’t have time to sit and break one of my recipes down for a single serving. I bake A LOT and this recipe provided a good base for me to build on or alter to my liking for a single serving. I’m not going to say “here’s where the problem is…”, but here are some things that could be contributing to the toughness mentioned if you don’t eat it right away: flour, lack of fat, microwave power. I have to eat gluten-free, so I used my GF flour blend; it is worth noting gluten (gliadin specifically) is what will make dough tough and dry if handled too much. I understand this is a vegan blog, so dairy is a no-no, but adding water to flour is basically the same step when you make homemade play-dough or paper mache! Scary thought! Consider using full fat coconut milk from the can or almond or coconut milk (or any other vegan milk) from the carton. I also added a 1/2 tsp of instant vanilla pudding mix to my dough base (Cinnabon secret); I have no idea if a vegan equivalent exists for the pudding mix, but adding a bit of vanilla extract to the dough won’t hurt in the flavor arena. I upped the baking powder to 1 tsp and milk to 5-7 Tbsp due to my additions and it being GF (since GF flours are “thirsty”). When I make a whole batch of yeast cinnamon rolls from scratch, before applying the cinnamon and blend, I spread a layer of butter on the rolled out dough. I know, I know…vegan blog; Earth Balance spread could be used instead. I use Saigon cinnamon, but that is just a personal preference. As far as microwave power; I lowered mine a bit and microwaved it for 30 seconds at a time to monitor/eyeball it. It still only took 60 seconds, but I did two rounds of 30 seconds on a lower power. Even with my enhancements, it only changed my prep time by a minute…if that. This was a great way to get that quick-fix when we’re craving that ooey-gooey, warm goodness only a warm cinnamon roll can deliver! Cheers!

    Reply

    • Oh! Forgot to mention…I like a cream cheese icing on my cinnamon rolls (I’m sure vegan substitutes exist), so I took 2 Tbsp butter, 2 Tbsp cream cheese, 1/4 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tsp milk, and 1/4 c (or more) of powdered sugar. The powdered sugar measurement may be off a bit because I tend to add my powdered sugar as I go and eyeball for the consistency I want; more may be needed. I like my icing a little on the thicker side, so when it hits the warm roll it melts just right and doesn’t thin out too much.

      Reply

    • I just want to mention that most gluten free flours are not “thirsty”, the only one I know of that is is coconut flour and using it takes some practice. This recipe as written works just fine using rice flour for those who are gluten free as I am. Also using straight on milk makes the dough tacky and hard to get baked properly. If you think about it all bread recipes pretty much call for water and not a milk product. Then all the extra additions take the calorie count of this treat way up there. I found this recipe to work best as it is written unless you need to sub out the flour for gluten free. Toughness comes from over cooking in the microwave and not from the lack of fat. You will notice if you are heating rolls in the microwave and you do it for too long you will get hockey pucks instead. I am a baker and restaurant owner and this recipe as written stands the test of time and certainly takes care of the craving we all get at times and want something fast and simple.

      Reply

  11. I forgot to mention that for those who are trying this recipe with gluten free flour — you really want to use a rice flour blend and you need to double the amount of baking soda as gluten free flours do not rise like regular wheat flour. Any conversion recipe you want to double whatever rising agent you are using whether that is baking soda, yeast etc.

    Reply

  12. Thank you for sharing this recipe. I made it last night and made only one change to it and that was to add in some Braggs nutritional yeast — I just dumped in some as it gives it that yeasty flavor. Actually I made two changes because I have Celiac I used a rice flour blend. I have a 1000 watt microwave and the one minute time worked just great, however i can see why some would think it was not cooked, especially if they are new to one minute microwave cooking for quick sweet treats. Anyway, since I am usually cooking for just one — this is great and I do not have to deal with making a full pan of cinnamon rolls and who cares if it is not browned when all the flavor is there?!

    Reply

    • So glad you enjoyed it and were able to adapt it to suit your needs Sandi! Thanks so much for stopping by to leave feedback. I appreciate it!

      Reply

    • We don’t have self-raising flour here so I have never tried the recipe with it. If you use that and the baking powder in the recipe it will probably end up having too much raising agent. If you leave out the baking powder it might be ok though. It would be safer I think to use plain flour or bread flour then you can keep everything else the same and you should get a good result.

      Reply

    • Hi! I used self raising flour and left out the baking powder – it works pefectly! I do this in almost all of my recipes

      Reply

    • I haven’t tried it. It might be ok but there is a chance it won’t puff up so much because the baking powder will have been sat around all night.

      Reply

  15. I was pleasantly surprised!

    This cinnamon roll definitely took longer than 5 minutes to make. I’d say 10 to 15 minutes (not counting the emergency grocery trip to get powdered sugar!). My microwave is small but powerful. I started with 30 seconds and added another 10 seconds. It might have been just a wee bit too chewy, but I cleaned my plate!

    Also, based on previous experience making my own icing, I added a sprinkle of salt and about 1/2 capful of vanilla. I used milk made with powdered milk.

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  16. I am sitting here enjoying my roll as I type! As I was making it, I was thinking that’s seems like a lot of flour, this is going to be huge! I also might have been a little more generous with the cinnamon and sugar. I may try to cut down the recipe and make a mini size one! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • You’re welcome! I’m so glad you are enjoying it. It would be great scaled down and made in smaller tea cups or even espresso cups.

      Reply

  17. HAHAHA I was not expecting the last pictures to be as funny as they actually were! Thanks for experimenting with and sharing your recipe… I’ll have to try it someday. =]

    Reply

  18. This is probably the best cinnamon roll I’ve had it might just be me but it was so delicious & im going to make it more and more. I used butter before putting the cinnamon sugar and when making the dough best choice I’ve made!!

    Reply

    • That’s wonderful! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for coming back to let me know. I really appreciate it!

      Reply

  19. This recipe is honestly really bad. Don’t make this. There isn’t enough sweetness in the dough and it turns out really chewy in an unpleasant dense way. This post claims that the bad comments are from to high of expectations. Honestly the recipe is just bad.

    Reply

    • Sorry you feel that way. It has had thousands and thousands of positive reviews both here and on social media, with only a handful of negative ones. Like all recipes, not everyone is going to enjoy it but the majority do. I hope you manage to find one that you enjoy!

      Reply

    • It is not a bad recipe…it is a good base to build on (see my comment above). The main problem with the flavorless dough comes from adding water to it. Try adding almond/coconut/cashew/rice or whatever vegan milk (or regular milk if you’re not vegan). You could also try adding a bit of vanilla extract to the dough base. I typically add inst vanilla pudding mix and/or vanilla to my dough base anytime I make a full batch of yeast sweet rolls. With a normal yeast sweet roll, you won’t have much flavor in the bread/dough really except the yeast flavor. It is the cinnamon, sugar, and icing/glaze that make it flavorful. Give this recipe another go with those suggestions and you may feel differently. 🙂

      Reply

    • I’m sorry but Julie Parker, that was very rude. I haven’t tried the recipe yet but I’m sure it will be delicious, and it’s not your place to go hating on what other people make.

      Reply

    • Coconut flour is never a great sub for regular flour in recipes. It doesn’t work like for like and would need lots more liquid. Even then I’m not sure what the texture would be like. I would imagine almond flour would make far too fragile a dough to roll. Some readers have made it with gluten-free blends with success though!

      Reply

  21. I tried this recipe twice. While easy to follow and quick to make, I did not enjoy the taste. Even though I cooked it longer than suggested, it was still quite doughy.

    Reply

  22. This looks really good! I’d venture to say it is more like a biscuit style cinnamon roll and those are equally good in their own right and tend to stay pale even when baked in the oven. I feel this would adequately satisfy a cinnamon bun craving when you don’t want the typical “mug cake/cookie”. YUM! (P.S. I’m going to try a gluten free-version with my own blend and I’ll get back to you!)

    Reply

    • I hope your gluten-free version works well. I’ve had some messages from people who have tried it gluten-free with success so finger crossed!

      Reply

  23. I tried this today and found it an easy recipe for a quick sweet treat. While it isn’t exactly a cinnamon roll it is a good replacement and there is only a single serving.

    Reply

  25. This was amazing! I am not vegan so I used half butter half water for my dough to have some buttery flavour. I know that my microwave is weak so I started with 55 second and finished with 2 more spurts of 10 seconds. Perfect!! Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

  26. Haven’t made this yet but your “addituonal” pre directions are hilarious. You should also write commedy, thanks for the recipe and the laugh. : )

    Reply

  27. I needed this laugh tonight. I was browsing through Pinterest came across this recipe and was intrigued. When I read the story I had to scroll to see the pictures. LOL! Once you see it you can’t unsee it. Regardless I can’t wait to give this recipe a try.

    Reply

    • So glad it made you laugh. I can’t make it without chuckling to myself! Hope you enjoy it and don’t make it in a tapered type mug or you might have a willy experience too :OP

      Reply

  28. Umm…this turned out SO AMAZING! Perfect texture, perfect taste. I did add a pinch of sea salt to the cinnamon sugar mixture and it really brought a “buttery” flavor.
    I am in the transition of becoming vegan, and with recipes like this it give a me full hope that it can be achieved!
    Thank you so much!

    Reply

  29. Just needed my sweet tooth fixed without leaving the house or having too much of it in the house…. WINNER WINNER!!! I was shocked it only took the 55 seconds to cook… But now I’m nervous I’ll be making one on the hour every hour…

    Reply

  30. I just wanted to let you know that I think this is a fabulous recipe-I spend more time than I (or anyone) should as a mom looking for quick & easy bedtime snack foods. This may not be “Cinnabon” quality but my kids are thrilled to get this versus packaged cookies or crackers & it is just as fast to make sooo…much thanks & props to you for doing all the work to figure this out & share it with the rest of us! I very much appreciate it! Please keep bringing more recipes for me & others to try & ignore anyone whose comments are downers! Thanks so much for the time you take!

    Reply

  31. This was perfect! I needed a quick cinnamon roll fix, and this recipe did the trick. However, I did change up the frosting with dairy free cream cheese. Just add in powdered sugar to the cream cheese and the frosting is Heaven! Thanks for the recipe, it was super yummy.

    Reply

  32. Have made this several times-Love the single serving! Today I used white whole wheat flour, then for something different I skipped frosting , sliced the roll and put a nice slice in the toaster. Just like having a slice of cinnamon toast! Ate the whole caboodle so feeling really indulgent! I also like to put raisins and nuts into it and think I’ll try a garlic version as someone ełse suggested. Thanks for all your work on developing this recipe!,,!

    Reply

    • You’re welcome and thank you for stopping by to leave feedback! I love the idea of making cinnamon toast with it!

      Reply

  33. This was great! I did use a little vegan butter after rolling it out then sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. I do not like overly sweet treats and this is perfect! Thank you 🙂

    Reply

    • Baking soda might work instead but I haven’t tried it. To work at it’s best though, baking soda needs something acidic. This means you would need to add a touch of vinegar or lemon juice to react with it and cause the rise. There is a chance you would be able to taste it in the finished cinnamon roll.

      Reply

  35. Don’t ask me why but I thought this was going to be some sort of cinnamon roll flavored smoothie XD PS: I found that the top of my roll got tough where as part of the bottom was still doughy any tips to help with this?

    Reply

    • Ha ha! If you were expecting a smoothie I can imagine your surprise ;O) It should be a little doughy. Because it’s cooked in the microwave and basically steamed it will stay a little damp.unlike one cooked in the oven. It could be your particular mug that made it cook unevenly. If it’s deeper or thicker then it could affect it. You could try a different one, see if it makes a difference.
      If the top was tough then it sounds like you might have overcooked it a little. I would try cooking it for less. When done the top should be slightly damp and soft. Remember that it will continue cooking a little when you remove it from the microwave. By the time you turn it out onto a plate and frost it, the top (now bottom) will have firmed up a little. The first time you make this recipe is always a little trial and error because everyone’s microwave is different and everyone uses a different kind of mug. Once you tweak it slightly to suit you should get it spot on!

      Reply

  36. Hi Mel,
    I just made your one minute cinnamon roll in a mug and oh my goodness it was delicious! I followed the ingredient list but not so much the steps because I wanted to test out to see if a child ages 10-14 years old would be able to create it. It turned out amazing and it was soooo yummy! Thank you for sharing such a simple but delicious recipe!

    Melanie from Wisconsin

    Reply

    • I’ve just tested it using Chrome and Safari browsers and it allows me to print from both the print button at the top of the page and the print button down in the recipe card. Perhaps it was just a glitch when you tried? If you are still having an issue it might be worth trying another browser too. Hope that helps!

      Reply

  38. This was surprisingly good for a vegan cinimon roll. At first it is a little weird but you get use to it specially with the frosting on it. And omg the middle is so good. I did have a little trouble getting the bottom to cook though with out the top getting super rubbery. That’s ok though because raw dough is the best and it doesn’t have egg in it!

    Reply

    • I’ve never had a problem with getting the bottom cooked before the top, but I suspect that the mug used makes a big difference. They all come in different thicknesses and depths which could affect it. I’m glad you enjoyed it regardless though!

      Reply

  40. I tried this tonight. It was surprisingly great. I read your disclaimer above so no surprises. Will do this again (and again). It’s great when you need something sweet and cinnamonly. Thanks!

    Reply

    • So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for letting me know. Watch out for a new cinnamon-y mug cake coming hopefully later today, maybe tomorrow! ;O)

      Reply

  41. I love cinnamon rolls! So glad to see a recipe in a mug. The reason I haven’t made it isbelieve it or not, don’t have a mug over 8 oz. I will be making this cinn roll soon!
    It is not my habit to usually reply to recipes especially when I haven’t sampled. But my curiosity was piqued when you wrote of your first photos! You ask if your reader(s) see it? Uh, yes, right away!! It’s so cute that you didn’t!
    Hahaha! Thanks for the recipe and the laugh!
    A healthy and hopeful 65-yr. old grandma,
    S baquet

    Reply

    • Those photos make me chuckle every-time I see them now! I’m glad they made you laugh too. I do hope you enjoy it when you manage to get your hands on a suitable mug Sue. Make sure it’s not a tapered shape mug otherwise you might end up with your own rude cinnamon roll!!! ;O)

      Reply

  42. I tried this recipe this morning with a gluten free flour 1 to 1 substitute. Much to my dismay, it did not work. It didn’t plump up at all. I think it could work for someone who wanted to play with the liquid ratios. Mine rolled up nicely and I used a piece of wax paper to roll out the dough and assist in rolling the dough up.

    Reply

    • Sorry it didn’t work out for you. I mention in the post that it doesn’t work so well with gluten-free flour. It was only designed to work with standard all purpose. You could probably make it work by tweaking the recipe a bit. I think the addition of some xanthan gum or guar gum might help.

      Reply

    • I’m glad it tasted better than it looked! The first time with this recipe is always a little bit of a learning curve. You will find your next one is much better!

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  44. So, some of the microwave issues can be solved by making this in an air fryer! I jus t tried it and while it takes. longer than a minute ( About 10 at 350F) it’s still a great quick breakfast for one!

    Reply

    • Oh wow. Who would have thought it would work in an air fryer!? That’s awesome. Thank you for letting me know and I’m glad you enjoyed it!

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  45. I saw this and just HAD to try it!! I found I’m out of flour but had barely enough bisquick and it tastes awesome!! I also used a little butter wrapped up in place of the extra tsp of water in the mug. Steamed in buttery juice!! Thank you!

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  46. I tried this. I like having a single serving of any dessert the temptation for seconds is diminished.
    I liked your recipe but changed it up slightly In spite of the low fat in your recipe.
    I added one tablespoon sugar to the dry ingredients.
    I used one tablespoon of low fat coconut milk and 2-1/2 tablespoons of water when mixing the dough.
    I floured my board and kneeded it just a few times and then started to stretch the dough into a one inch wide strip about 10-12 inches long and brushed with melted butter and sprinkled cinnamon sugar mixture over the melted butter. I folded the strip in half length wise and brushed with melted butter and repeated the cinnamon sugar. Rolled it up and microwaved for 45 seconds.
    The icing was made using coconut milk and 1/2 tsp vanilla & 3 tbl. Powdered sugar.
    When finished it put Cinnabon to shame. Thanks!

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  47. Hey there! Awesome recipe! I tried it and it totally worked! Thanks >< But I was wondering if I wanted to make it with yeast (I know I would have to omit the baking powder and also it would take longer to make), would the amount of flour change or would it be the same?

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    • So glad you enjoyed it Andy! I have never tried it with yeast. I think it would work but I’m not sure exactly how much yeast would be needed. Also as you mention, it would probably need less flour or a bigger pot to cook it in because bread and buns with yeast tend to more than double in size. It would take some experimenting. Also the optimum temperature of the microwave would need some experimenting with. It might be fun trying! I do have this recipe for Sticky Lemon Strawberry Sweet Rolls that are made in a more traditional way and baked in the oven. You might like it! You could switch out the strawberries for cinnamon, brown sugar and some vegan butter! https://avirtualvegan.com/sticky-lemon-strawberry-sweet-rolls/

      Reply

  50. I made the recipe today but instead of the powdered sugar frosting I used blue for my own Eclispe Version!
    It was super yummy!

    Alice Fries

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  51. Thanks for this delicious treat. I have just made it using self-raising GF flour. I also added the baking powder just to be sure. I followed your measurements exactly and baked it for 40 seconds. It came out perfectly. So quick and yummy. As GF flour can be a bit dry and tasteless, I spread some melted butter on the dough before adding the sugar and cinnamon. I will definitely being making this again.

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  52. So…this took me 20 mins to make lol. It’s pretty good, but there were a few things I had to double. The milk for the sugar was more like 4 teaspoons, and the water was more like 8 tablespoons. It turned out quite doughy. I put it in for 45 seconds and the toothpick came out clean, but I wish it wasn’t so doughy. Any suggestions to change that?

    Reply

    • The liquid amounts will always vary depending on what flour/powdered sugar you use and the time of year/humidity where you live. That’s why I only give rough amounts. It’s impossible to know exactly and mention to add more if necessary. I’m glad it worked out ok for you though. 45 seconds might have been not quite long enough unless you have a super powerful microwave. That might be why it was a little doughy. Perhaps add 5 – 10 seconds on if you try it again. The outside will always be a little damp as it steams in the mug so bear that in mind. The first time with this recipe is always a little trial and error because everyones microwaves are so different. Hopefully next time you will get it spot on!

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  53. That person definitely has a warped, dirty mind…I usually see things pretty easily, but this was a real stretch of the imagination for me…I’m a visual learner so being able to “see” things is a breeze for me…I hope you had a good laugh!!! 😉

    Reply

    • No I haven’t as it’s not something I ever buy. I believe a few readers have though and said it came out ok.

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  55. Not sure what the problem was for the people who left those negative comments – this turned out delicious for me, and I’m definitely not the worlds best baker 🙂 I used some regular butter, of course, to mix the cinnamon and sugar that I spread on the dough before rolling it up, and it came out amazing!

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  56. Everything went well but it tasted a little blaugh to me. I’m used to butter. So I put a plant. based butter flavor called Earth Balance on top and let it melt after coming out of the microwave. And wa-la great cinnamon roll! Tks for the recipe.

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  57. This turned out ok but I had to really adjust the time on my microwave so not quite sure if I got it right. I have an 800watt microwave I started with 50 seconds, then ten more, but still doughy , then 20 more . I didn’t want to overlook it. It was slightly watery at the bottom still.
    I wonder why you use 9 tablespoons instead of half a cup of flour plus a tablespoon? That’s 9 tablespoons.
    Otherwise it satisfied my cinnamon bun craving and not having to buy one full of who knows what!

    Reply

    • Because I only have a 1200 watt microwave it’s so hard for me to give exact times for microwaves with other wattages. That’s why, unfortunately, the first time making this is a little bit of trial and error if it varies significantly like yours does.
      Because the roll steams in the mug it will be damp when you turn it out. That is normal. It wont ever be dry like an oven baked one because of the steaming. That dampness evaporates pretty quickly though as like all microwaved food, it continues to cook once removed from the microwave oven. Even if the outside is a little damp at first it will be cooked on the inside.
      As for using tablespoons to measure the flour, that is for a couple of reasons. First of all I am English and have a lot of readers in England. We don’t use cups there at all. We tend to weigh everything. I usually give the measurements in grams and cups in my recipes, but because this is such a small amount of flour I thought it easier to measure it with the tablespoons rather than use grams and cups. Tablespoons are pretty universal and easier for everyone to understand. Another reason is that cups vary in size so much and with this recipe it’s important that the measurements are exact. There are U.S legal cups, U.S customary cups, Canadian cups, Metric cups and they all hold different amounts. That leaves a lot of room for error. With tablespoons they are all the same except for Australia where they are only 10mls and not 15mls. As a recipe creator it’s so hard to please everyone but by using tablespoons it caters for as many people as possible in one hit.
      Hope that helps!

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  58. I have all the ingredients BUT baking powder (why WHY must i suffer longer) though i will try to look for some during grocery shopping!

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  59. I just tried making this and it is really as easy as it looks. This is so much better than making a whole batch for just one person. Thanks for sharing! This rocks.

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  60. Great idea!
    I guess if someone wanted a bi of browning and is not in a hurry, they could put dough in an oven proof mug at 350. Keep up the great work!

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  61. This turned out very well. I substituted Splenda Brown Sugar on the inside. I also used prepared cream cheese frosting (I’m not vegan). I will definitely make this again. It hit the spot.

    Reply

    • That’s awesome Michelle. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Watch out for a new summery spin on this recipe coming in the next day or two. I think it’s even better!

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  62. Hello.
    I added regular sugar and brown sugar instead of coconut and also cinnamon. I also used ready made cream cheese frosting and melted a few tablespoons in microwave to pour over bun. It was good,not great. For a fast snack when you don’t have anything sweet in your house to eat.

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  63. I tried your recipe and three of us ate it! It was really yummy! Thank you and keep up the good work! As far as all the people who keep leaving negative feedback they want a Cinnabon – they can go to the mall then lol!

    Reply

    • I’m really glad you all enjoyed it Diane and thank you so much for stopping by to let me know! It means a lot! 🙂

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  64. 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!

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  65. 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 😂😂

    Reply

    • 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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  66. 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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  67. 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!!

    Reply

    • 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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  69. 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??

        Reply

    • 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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  72. 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!

      Reply

  75. 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!

    Reply

    • 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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  76. 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! 😀

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

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  79. 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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  80. 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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  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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  84. Thanks for the disclaimer and what to expect…microwave oven is different to baking oven. its nice. job well done

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  85. 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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  86. 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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  87. 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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  89. 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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  90. 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!

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

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  91. 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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  92. 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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  94. 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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  95. 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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  96. Looks yummy. But those first pictures are hilarious. I am sorry to laugh but it is funny.
    I am definitely trying this tonight for dessert. Thanks a bunch.

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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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    • 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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  98. 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!

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

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

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

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  105. 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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  106. 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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  107. 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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  109. 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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  110. 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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  111. 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.

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    • 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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  112. 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!

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    • 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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    • 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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  114. 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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  115. 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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  119. 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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  121. 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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  123. 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

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    • 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!

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      • 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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  124. 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

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    • 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?

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  125. 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!

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  127. 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!

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    • 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!

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  130. 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!!!

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    • 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! 😉😂

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  131. 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?

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    • 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 😀

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  132. 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

  133. 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

  134. 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

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

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  136. 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

    • 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.

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  138. 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

  140. 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

    • 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

  143. 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

  144. 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 😃

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  145. 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

  146. 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

  148. 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

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

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  150. 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

  151. 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

  153. 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

    • 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

  155. 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

    • 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

  160. 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

    • 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

  163. 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

  165. 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

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