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!
Rosita Thibodeaux says
Melanie I just discovered your website and I am in love with everything I have seen! I love fresh baked cinnamon rolls and I just made a small pan last evening! I shared with a dear friend bc tomorrow is Ash Wednesday so I don’t want any remaining temptations hanging around.
The mug cinnamon roll looks divine and I have made brownies and cc cookies in mugs that turned out great when I was desperate for a late night sweet treat.
I will give your cinnamon roll in a mug a try Sunday hopefully and I will let you know! You have some very ingenious ideas for recipes. Thank you for sharing!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Rosita! I hope you enjoy my recipes once you get a chance to try them.
Donna says
Wanted to take a picture but I ate it!! Wouldn't change a thing. This was delicious!
A Virtual Vegan says
Ha ha! Disappearing food is always a good sign. Glad you enjoyed it!
Leandré Theys says
It was delicious!
Jennifer says
I always make my own full on cinnamon buns and never considered stuff in a mug recipes. But today and this turned out very satisfactory considering there was no yeast, hours and hours of waiting, etc! I think my kids would be able to make their own and enjoy it. My microwave ran at 600W so my bun turned out nicely at one minute and 40 seconds. Thank you.
Horrible says
it was horrible I followed the recipe and it was just horrible
Darca says
Your recipes look amazing and I just read your cookbook, so I was excited to visit your website. But there is SO MUCH ADVERTISING on your webpage that it makes me dizzy -- beside the post, and at least 5 times within the post! I'm afraid I won't be visiting again.
A Virtual Vegan says
Without the advertising I wouldn't be able to do what I do. How else would I cover my costs? Running a website like this is expensive and I provide the recipes totally free. There is a "jump to recipe" button at the top of every recipe but even if there wasn't one, having to scroll past some ads isn't much to ask in exchange for completely free, very well tested recipes that have taken me days, sometimes weeks of work.
Coralie says
I dont think there was enough liquid in the dough, but overall it was really good!
Kia says
This was so good!! I haven’t had a cinnamon bun since I became vegan so this was definitely a joy even my non vegan little siblings (and they are so hard to please sometimes) loved it and asked for more! Thank you for the recipe <3
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Kia. I'm really pleased you all enjoyed it!
HI says
Good recipe love it also..the first pictures are well...what your friend said
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!