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!
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 Strawberry Mug Cake. Vegan mug cake 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. A whole batch is lovely, but sometimes that's not what you want. A single-serving Cinnamon Roll 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 rude !
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....).
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.
How to make a cinnamon roll in a mug
(For detailed measurements and instructions, see the printable recipe card).
It is so easy to make. It literally takes a minute or two to form and about fifty seconds to cook.
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.
Here's how it's done:
- 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.
Please read prior to making this 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.
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>
Hungry for more?
For more vegan mug cake recipes check out these great options:
One Minute Cinnamon Roll in a Mug
Author:
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
- 3 tablespoons natural powdered sugar
- A drop of plant-based milk or water around ¾ teaspoon
INSTRUCTIONS
- 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.
- 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.
- Add the flour, baking powder and salt to another small bowl and stir to combine.
- 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.
- 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
- 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).
- You will be left with a long narrow strip which you can roll up.
- Roll it up and gently lift it and place it in the greased mug.
- Pour over ½ teaspoon water then place in the microwave.
- 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.
- 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.
- Turn out onto a plate and spoon over the frosting. Eat immediately.
NUTRITION
Nutritional information is provided for convenience & as a courtesy. The data is a computer generated estimate so should be used as a guide only.
Here are the first pictures I took!
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 on my website. The only comments that ever get deleted are those that are very offensive towards me or another commenter, or if they have swear words in them that might cause offense to people reading.
If a person accidentally hits "reply" instead of starting a brand new comment then of course it automatically posts as a reply. There's nothing I can do about that. The star rating is automatically adjusted to suit whether it's a reply to a comment or an original comment.
This recipe is my most popular recipe. It has literally millions of people making it every year. The vast majority are very happy with it and a handful aren't. That is reflected in the star rating which is 4.54/5 .
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
A Virtual Vegan says
I have never tested it in the oven so can't guarantee results. Be sure to use an oven safe container not a mug. I'd bake at 350 °F for about 15 minutes? That's a guess though. It might take a bit longer or a bit less than that.
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.
Doorbell says
I don’t know if this has worked for other people but mine came and it was just hard dough and burnt filling. it tasted awfully bad and I would do this again.
A Virtual Vegan says
Sorry you weren't happy with it. If it was hard and burnt then you overcooked it. It takes less than a minute in most microwaves. It shouldn't burn in that time.
Amanda says
This was pretty good! I actually made the dough and mixed in the brown sugar and cinnamon into it, then cooked it in the waffle iron and it turned out really well! Def reccomend that!
A Virtual Vegan says
Oooo in the waffle iron? I love that idea!
Lilley says
Author states that this is not PERFECTION so I am rating it a 5 because it was exactly what she described and what I expected! Great in a pinch! I was so excited to make it. I’d give the flavor a 4/5. When you are craving sweets this gets the job done! And my kid loved it. Ofcourse, all the sugar! I will say though... 10 min to prep. 1 min to cook, 1 min to eat and 10 min to clean. I did the 45 seconds and then added 20 more seconds in 5 second increments. Thanks for the fun recipe!
Hayley says
The kid loved it as did I. So good for a super quick microwave version!
Melissa says
I wasn’t expecting something incredible considering the condensed amount of ingredients.... however this was terrible! Very disappointed... however it did smell delightful so I’ll give it that...
ew says
it didn’t work and it didn’t puff up or anything, it was very wet and gross
Denise says
I am going to try this tonight, as it's the closest thing I can get to making my very allergic son a birthday cake! I am excited to try but I am wondering, can this be rolled and ready in the mug and sit until I'm ready to microwave or does it all need to be done right away? I know you need to eat it right away but can it be prepared ahead? Can't wait.
A Virtual Vegan says
My fear would be that the baking powder would lose its ooomph if you prepare it in advance. I think it's best to do it when you want it. I have some other mug cakes that are quicker to mix up. If you haven't checked them one of those might be suitable too.