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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Desirae Nelson says
Great quick fix for a sweet tooth ;). Thank you for the recipe! My microwave took about a full minute to cook it but once it was done, it was delicious! 10/10 would recommend!
A Virtual Vegan says
I'm really pleased you enjoyed it. Thank you!
H says
I've never commented on a recipe before (or anything for that matter) but have just finished eating this and couldn't resist. I've tried to make vegan cinnamon rolls before and failed miserably but was determined to try again. This was a perfect solution - one just for myself and hit the craving. I don't have a microwave so did it in the oven which worked fine, about 15mins at 180/200°c. THANK YOU!!!
A Virtual Vegan says
I'm really pleased you enjoyed it. Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback. It's much appreciated!
Simon Field says
Hello. I don't have a microwave, but am wondering whether this might also work in a pressure cooker? I suspect it might have a similar steaming effect.
A Virtual Vegan says
I have no idea. It's not something I've tried. Be very careful what you cook it in if you try it. Whatever you use needs to be oven safe. A regular mug would probably break.
Random kid who wanted sugar for breakfast says
I recommend this for either good chefs or non-picky eaters
As far as taste, I rate 3 stars. I know it is not intended to be super delicious or anything, but it was tough (which could be my fault), not very sweet, and the frosting kind of sunk to the bottom.
As far as instructions, they were crystal clear and easy to understand, although moderately difficult to preform (yet again, that has to do with my skill-level) Overall on the instructions, I rate 5 stars. Because, the author tried her best to make things clear and referred to the comments in the recipe, and tried to explain the problems people had instead of getting mad that they left bad reviews.
I think it's a great idea, but it just doesn't work very well because so many things go into making cinnamon rolls that it's hard to simplify.
Personally, my dough ended up tough and I couldn't figure out what I messed up, I don't blame the recipe, but I don't think I will make it again since I could make something else in the same time that I would like better.
jon says
I was surprised by how good they were. Great recipe!
Karen says
Wow!!!! I’ve tried other versions of cinnamon rolls in a mug (ie quick and microwaved) and they were all disappointing. This was was absolutely not! It holds up in flavor and in texture. I really, really enjoyed it and will absolutely be making it again (and again and again)!
A Virtual Vegan says
That's awesome. I'm really pleased you enjoyed it Karen!
Bev says
I too was wary of the microwave "baking" but thought to give it a try. It turned out wonderfully! I did spread some butter on before the cinnamar and both my husband and I enjoyed sharing it. Yummy!
Melanie McDonald says
Glad you enjoyed it Bev!
Rhiannon Zielinski says
This was so delicious! Followed the roll recipe exactly (used regular white sugar). I have a weaker microwave; did 45 seconds, then two more intervals of 5. I’m not a vegan and had a bit of cream cheese in the fridge that I want to use up, so I made a cream cheese frosting with a bit of powdered sugar and vanilla. Final product was so tasty and definitely fulfilled my cinnamon roll craving with little effort & no remaining rolls tempting me. :)
Renée Parker says
TBH, I did not have high hopes for this. I've been curious and intrigued by all the mug cake mixes popping up in stores and recipes appearing online. When I saw this one, I finally decided to venture into mug baking. MIND BLOWN. If someone else had made this and told me it took 10 minutes to assemble and 50 sends in the microwave, I would not have believed it. Maybe I got lucky and my microwave had just the right amount of power. This thing was SO good. I will say that because I'm not vegan I used milk instead of the water. And I used a mug that was a little too large. The dough puffed up, cooked all the way through. I was amazed when I turned it out on the plate. But I still thought nope... not possible. Till the first bite! I make homemade bubble bread, baked in the oven. This mug roll could give that a run for its money. I LOVED it. My roll came out fluffy and amazing. I'm already planning trying it with nuts, apples like another commenter did, making a mug version of my grandmother's chocolate roll, and trying savory versions, like ham and cheese (if you're vegan, I could totally see an herbed veggie puree with olive oil...). I just finished adding it to my recipe book. Thanks for sharing!!
Melanie McDonald says
I'm really pleased you enjoyed it Renée!
Stephannie Laslo says
Loved this!! I used a bit of butter before adding the 'cinnamon' and sugar! I'm allergic to cinnamon, though.. I infact used Hot Cocoa powder instead!! It still turned out amazing. If you add a bit of melted butter or margarine to the frosting and take out a little bit of water (since you add butter... liquid), it makes it more frosting like and will thicken when cooled a bit. Also will kill the confectioners sugar sweetness a tiny bit.
Lois says
I love this recipe!?!!!! I didn't make frosting but added a spoon of vanilla ice-cream then waited a few for it to melt. It was wonderful. Thanks for the recipe??
Donna says
Just made thyand I put some chopped apple in and it is delicious.
Will be making again.
Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Melanie McDonald says
So glad you enjoyed it Donna. Apple is a great addition!
CINDY says
It turned out perfect and not too sweet. I think your pictures were fine. I didn't see anything wrong with them?
Lydia says
Mine turned out great, my only addition was dairy free butter drizzled over it. It made it taste more like a real cinnamon roll to me. This hit the spot, thanks!
Melanie McDonald says
I'm pleased you enjoyed it Lydia! Thank you.
Marhia A says
Followed exact recipe. It turned out AWFUL. The dough tasted just like flour. I microwaved for 45 seconds, and it was half raw still. The rest was overcooked. My microwave is 1000w, and fairly new. I've never had this happen, so it's definitely not my microwave. The only part that was decent (I say that loosely) was the inside where the cinnamon sugar was gooey. That's the only part that taste like a cinnamon roll.
This had good reviews, but I'm very disappointed.
Nick says
Soooooo good mine didn’t really swell but it was cooked and I’m glad. Delicious!!!!!!!