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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Olivia says
I thought this was one of the best mug desserts I’ve ever tried! I added a little bit of vanilla extra to the icing to help it taste more like a traditional cinnamon roll. If you try this recipe once and think it’s missing a little something I highly recommend adding a little vanilla to the icing or even sweetening the dough slightly. Overall fantastic, and great for those who struggle with eating more than one when you make a batch of something (coughmecough).
ambi says
I’m sorry but this recipe really didn’t work for me.... The texture was like rubber and it was way too sweet. Will not be making again sadly.
Gemma Soles says
The texture is a little weird but for cooking it in the microwave it’s really good!
Sarah says
Just made it for dessert. Twice! So good! Obviously not as decadent and delicious as baked cinnamon buns (as the author makes clear) but a great quick and “low effort alternative for when you’ve got a sweet craving.
I will be making often!
Lauren says
I hate to review something when it’s negative. But this recipe is simply not good. I feel like the appealing baking process with the dough and such makeS it lookas if it would even maybe sort of resemble the taste of a real cinnamon roll, but I’m sorry this tasted like play dough. The texture was terrible and the taste was also terrible. I followed the instructions to the tea. And that’s just the opinion I’m entitled to. I would suggest a different mug cake if that’s what you’re in the mood for.
D says
This recipe could have been greatly improved by just following baking basics:
1. If you use baking powder, you MUST use milk in order for it to react. It’s chemistry.
2. Using milk instead of water made the dough softer.
3. A cinnamon roll requires some amount of sugar in the dough. It is a traditionally a sweet dough.
4. You are supposed to spread melted butter on the dough before sprinkling the sugar and cinnamon.
There is a reason that proven recipes are written the way that they are. These are basic skills that can be studied. Good luck.
A Virtual Vegan says
Maybe you need to touch up on your baking basics because baking powder does not need milk to react. Baking powder is a combination of baking soda and acid. Baking powder activates with any liquid and then the acid that is incorporated into it reacts with heat. That's why it works so well.
I think you are confusing it with baking soda maybe, although even then you don't need milk. Any acidic ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, cocoa etc will make that react and do its job.
Izzy says
This is a VEGAN recipe. Go look for an not vegan recipe than. Thank you
Marissa says
Did YOU try it?
Jess says
You look like you have done some really great recipes on your website that I can’t wait to try but for me the cinnamon roles just didn’t work.The dough was rock hard and the flavor just wasn’t there.Not sure if it was the recipe or just my cooking skills
Sophia says
Idk what happened but it tasted horrible. It had cooked well and puffed up... but when I took a bite it tasted like a bar of soup.
Gayle McCamley says
It was so good. I am not vegan so I added 1 T butter and 1 T sugar to dough. I added whole milk instead of water. It took 90 sec in my microwave. I made a little cream cheese frosting and voila!. I am a baker and this was really good when you don't feel like baking or don't need to have 2 dozen tools to eat yourself in the "stay at home".
Christine Head says
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! Ha!
Di says
I was careful not to overcook it, but it didn’t come out well.
Only the dough at the bottom of the mug puffed up.
The filling was good but the rest of the bun was very odd, it felt like I was eating chewy dough. Texture was very off putting.
Taking into account that it’s a microwaved dessert, 2/5.
It seems like the author may delete bad reviews. I see a lot of replies saying it was bad but suspiciously few actual reviews saying this.
A Virtual Vegan says
Bad reviews are never deleted as you can see if you scroll through all the comments on this post. If a person accidentally hits "reply" instead of starting a brand new comment then of course it will appear as a reply. There's nothing I can do about that. The star rating is calculated from all ratings whether they are replies or original comments/reviews.
Kari Aurora Burns says
Was a little disappointed... since the dough was supposed to look doughy it was hard to tell when done all the way through. The top was cooked and the bottom was still doughy. Ended up throwing them out, I followed all the directions and have been baking my whole life. It just didn’t work for me. ?
Caroline says
Wow! Just finished this for a quick-ish late night snack. I ended up making a mess on my cutting board with the flour, but nevertheless this made a super yummy dessert! A great late night munchie for sure. Super good, and was fun to make!
A Virtual Vegan says
So pleased you enjoyed it Caroline!
Sandie says
A very good cinnamon roll! I am not vegan so I brushed the dough with 1 teaspoon melted butter before sprinkling on the sugar and cinnamon. It only took 55 seconds in my standard size mug. It was the perfect consistency - doughy, warm, and flavorful. I will definitely make this again! Thank you so much for the recipe.
A Virtual Vegan says
I'm glad you enjoyed it Sandie!
She says
Hi! I came across your recipe because i have been wanting to make a single serve cinnamon roll. But i wanted to pop this in my oven instead of microwave. Do you think it will work and if yes, how long should i put the timer on it? And the temperature too? Thanks <3
Nancy says
I do Weight Watchers and they have a recipe for 2-ingredient fought using self rising flour and Greek plain low-fat yogurt. Your thoughts as do you think it would work with you cinnamon roll in a mug recipe?
A Virtual Vegan says
I don't know as I've never tried it. I'm not familiar with Weight Watchers recipes. Why not just make the dough as it is though? It would have less calories as it uses water instead of yogurt? And it's tried and true so you'll know it will turn out ok.
RJ says
This was delicious. I’m not vegan so I drizzled some melted butter on the dough before adding the cinnamon and sugar and then rolled it up. So delicious! Don’t know why it didn’t work for others
Hey Lemonade says
It didn't work at all! 1 STAR! I don't know what trick you did to make it look as if it worked, but it was REALLy bad tasting. It turned out raw.