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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Coco says
I really enjoyed this! I like your recipes!
Robyn says
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 !
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you so much for your feedback Robyn. I am thrilled you enjoyed it so much!
Marlena says
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.
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Marlena! I am so pleased you enjoyed it! ????
Josephine B says
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.
Elizabeth says
Mine turned out absolutely disgusting lol one bite and I threw it out
Tiffanie Becher says
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 ;)
Brenda says
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
Mara says
OMG just made this and wow was that sinful !!! Beyond amazing!
Jasmine says
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.
Doreen says
Made this with a combo of almond flour and all purpose flour delicious
A Virtual Vegan says
Oh yum, I bet the almond flour makes it taste buttery. Great idea. So glad you enjoyed it!
Whitney says
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 :)
Folo Mataafa says
Eating this right now and its perfect!
Yvette says
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
A Virtual Vegan says
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!
Melissa says
This was amazing! This is my new go-to quick treat, when I need a quick sweet fix!! Thank you for sharing this!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Melissa. I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Jacob K Thomas says
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!
Liezl says
Hi, this looks awesome. Do you think the dough will freeze well... and bake well after being frozen?