A single-serving Cinnamon Roll in a Mug that is so simple to make, takes less than 1 minute to cook in the microwave, and is made with just a handful of pantry staples. Perfect for when those sweet cravings hit & you NEED a decadent dessert or sweet breakfast, like now!
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"For such a quick microwave dessert this is amazing! They were supposed to be for the kids but we ended up having to make more for the adults!"
- Christine ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ More reviews →
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Easy desserts don't get better than the OG Cinnamon Roll in a Mug! It's warm, sticky, doughy, perfectly sweet, and cinnamony with drippy sweet frosting. So good while also being ridiculously quick and easy to make.
A whole batch of cinnamon rolls is lovely, but let's be real, they do take a bit of time and effort. A single-serving Cinnamon Roll in a Mug cooked in the microwave is the answer when you're not willing or able to put in the time and effort but still want a delicious sweet treat.
When I published this microwave cinnamon roll recipe many years ago I did not expect it to go viral. It has crashed my website several times because of the sheer volume of visitors, and the video on Facebook and Pinterest has been viewed and shared many millions of times. With a response like that and hundreds of five star reviews you know it's a tried and true recipe!
Ingredients
Here's what you need at a glance along with some important ingredients notes:
- Flour - I did experiment with different flour types while testing this recipe and all purpose white flour (plain flour in the UK) works the best. You will not get great results if you use wholewheat or spelt flour. This recipe has not been tested gluten-free, but many people in the comments have said they have made it with GF 1 to 1 baking flour with good results.
- Sugar - This should be brown sugar or coconut sugar for the best cinnamon roll flavor.
- Powdered sugar - Wholesome Sweeteners is my go-to vegan brand and is easily available in most big grocery stores in North America. If it's not available where you are and you're not sure if the others are vegan just buy an organic one. Organic sugars aren't allowed to use bone char.
Ad as it's a mug dessert you'll also need a microwave-safe mug that's about 11 or 12 oz in volume.
How To Make A Cinnamon Roll In A Mug
This Cinnamon Roll in a Mug is really easy to make. Here's a quick visual summary (also be sure to watch my recipe video):
- Make the frosting by mixing powdered sugar with a drop of water or plant-based milk.
- Mix the 4 dough ingredients together in a bowl.
- Roll the cinnamon roll dough out into a long strip, sprinkle over the cinnamon and sugar then fold the edges inwards to hold it all in.
- Roll up, plop into a greased mug, add a little water (important!)and microwave.
That's it, you're done. You have a perfect single-serving dessert, snack, or breakfast in minutes!
You can either eat it your microwave cinnamon roll from the mug, or turn it out onto a plate and admire its 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. This cinnamon roll needs to be eaten while hot and freshly cooked for the best texture.
Just look at this inside shot!!! <double drool> Perfect for satisfying that sweet craving!
Please Read Prior To Making
I am adding this section post-publication due to feedback received and to help you get the very best results while keeping expectations in check.
The vast majority of people have been very pleased with the recipe, but some have not, and in almost all cases it is because they have had very unreal expectations of the outcome, or they have nuked the life out of the cinnamon roll in the microwave or tried to eat it once it's cold. 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.
I highly recommend reading the thousands of comments and reviews under the recipe if you want a rollercoaster ride of experiences! 🤣
Regarding the unreal expectations - If you are expecting a Cinnabon type baked, yeasty, fatty, caramelized, cream cheese frosting topped, sickly sweet cinnamon roll you will be disappointed. This recipe is not like that. It is a very simplified, limited ingredient, quick and easy version. It is also microwaved. It will stay pale and it will not caramelize. That is not possible in a microwave. As long as you realize this and aren't expecting a miracle, then we are good. For a simple, very quick, microwaved cinnamon roll 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, just 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 your microwave 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 long makes a huge difference.
And lastly - Some other recurring issues..Do not forget the baking powder and DO NOT use baking soda instead. If you do not use baking powder it will not work. Also this cinnamon roll must be eaten immediately. If you let it cool first or try to reheat it again it will become very tough.
Please know that 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. 😁
Recipe FAQs
The recipe hasn't been tested with self-raising flour because I can't buy it here. The amount of baking powder self-raising flour contains is very different to the amount in the recipe, so for the best results I recommend using plain flour with no raising agents added and then adding the measured amount of baking powder as per the recipe. This take any guess work out of the equation for the best results.
No. This recipe is prepared and cooked far too quickly for the yeast to be effective. That's why it uses baking powder. If you want to use yeast you will be better off following a traditional cinnamon roll recipe. There is a recipe in my cookbook!
No. This recipe needs to be eaten immediately and does not reheat well.
I have not tested this recipe in an oven.
Recipe
Cinnamon Roll in a Mug
Author:WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Ingredients
For the icing
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar , icing sugar in the UK
- about ¾ teaspoon water or dairy free milk
For the cinnamon roll
- a tiny dab oil , for greasing the mug (such as sunflower, canola, olive, or coconut oil)
- 9 tablespoons (70 grams) all purpose flour (plain flour in the UK)
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 small pinch fine sea salt
- about 4 tablespoons water
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1½ tablespoons brown sugar , or coconut sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
- Make the icing. In a small bowl mix the powdered sugar with either plant-based milk or water. Add the liquid a really tiny bit at a time and mix really well after each addition. The most you will need is about ¾ teaspoon to get a thick, drippy consistency. Stir well until smooth then set aside.
- Grease a normal sized drinking mug (about 11 to 12 oz size) with a tiny dab of oil.
- Add the flour, baking powder, and salt to a small bowl and stir to combine.
- Stir in enough water to form a slightly tacky but not sticky dough (about 4 tablespoons but this will vary depending on the time of year and humidity), then use your hand to bring it together and knead a few times to bring it into a ball. Don't handle it any more than you need to. Overworking will make it tough.
- Dust a clean work surface with a little flour, then roll the dough out into a long strip about 4 inches wide and ⅛ inch (a few millimetres) thick.
- Sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon evenly over the dough then fold the edges on the longest sides inwards so they meet each other in the middle. This helps to seal the cinnamon and sugar in and stop it dropping out when you lift it after rolling. See my video below for a full tutorial.
- Roll it up tightly and gently place in the greased mug. Pour over ½ teaspoon of water then place in the microwave. Don't skip this. It's important to create steam.
- Microwave uncovered on full power for about 50 seconds. My microwave is 1200 watts. You will need to adjust the time up or down if the wattage of yours is different but it shouldn't need longer than 1 minute 10 seconds max. It is better to slightly undercook it then blast in 5 second increments to finish it off than risk overcooking. Remember that microwaved food continues cooking once it's removed from the microwave.
- When you open the door it should have puffed up a lot and nearly reached the top of the mug. It will still look pale and a little damp as it's microwaved not baked, so don't think it's underdone and cook longer than you need to or it will overcook. You can check doneness with a toothpick or skewer. Stick into the roll and it should come out clean.
- Either spoon the icing over the cinnamon roll in the mug or turn out onto a plate then ice. Before turning out run a knife around the outside of the mug to loosen it. Eat immediately while warm.
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Ola Otto says
This was absolutely wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing.
Priscila Santos says
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?
A Virtual Vegan says
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?
Priscila Santos says
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!
A Virtual Vegan says
I am glad adjusting the time made a difference. Thanks so much for coming back to let me know!
Barb says
just made it. too dry, and not gooey inside like pic of yours. probably something I did wrong.
blessings and thanks
Barb
A Virtual Vegan says
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 :)
Sharon Harr says
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.
A Virtual Vegan says
I am glad you managed to adapt it to suit your needs :O)
Jacqueline says
I had to make this. Only had spelt flour and still turned out yummy delicious ???????? thank you! Will try all plain flour next time
A Virtual Vegan says
That's great Jacqueline. So glad you enjoyed it!
Anna-Maria Darton says
Can you make more than 1 at a time in the microwave??
A Virtual Vegan says
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.
Lori Bouer says
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!!
A Virtual Vegan says
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.
Randy says
At 94 carbs, why is this in the low carb section?
A Virtual Vegan says
I'm not with you? I don't have a low carb section on my website?
June says
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!!
Krista says
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. :)
Jenn says
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!!
A Virtual Vegan says
Yay! I am so glad you enjoyed it Jenn and thank you for stopping by to let me know :O)
Emily says
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.
Mo says
Have you ever made this using almond flour and stevia? Just looking at a lower carb option.
Meg says
Are the flour water measurements off? Not even close to making dough for me.
A Virtual Vegan says
The recipe is correct as written.
Bob says
You definitely need more than 1/2 teaspoon of water fyi
A Virtual Vegan says
I think you have misread the recipe. You need 3 - 4½ tablespoons of water to make the dough. The ½ teaspoon is just to pour over it before you microwave it.
Beth says
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?
Michelle says
Now I understand the whole excitement about mug cakes! So good!