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!
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??
Melanie McDonald says
I'm so pleased you are enjoying it!
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!!!!!!!
Amber says
This recipe was amazing! My family loves this easy sweet treat, definitely something I recommend!!
Ams says
I can’t wait to try this! I also wanted to say that your addition to the bottom of this post is hilarious! I enjoyed the extra instructions and also your statement of not being responsible if someone nukes the heck out of their cinnamon roll. I was tempted to try doing it that way but I think I will just follow your suggestions instead as I don't like eating hockey pucks! I am a little disappointed that you won’t take responsibility for knowing the details of how my microwave works. I thought you were a telepathic microwave doctor. Alas, I will still try your recipe!
A Virtual Vegan says
Ha ha..This made my night! I hope yours doesn't turn out like my "before" pics, or like a hockey puck :P Thank you for making me smile. It's been a rough day and I needed it!
Hannah says
I have tried MANY mug cakes, cookies and cinnamon rolls and this one is THE BEST ONE OUT THERE I 100% reccommend making this, this is my new go to.
A Virtual Vegan says
Yay! That's awesome. Thanks Hannah!
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Can I make a few dough rolls and refrigerate them?
A Virtual Vegan says
I don't think they will work so well if they aren't cooked right away because the baking powder would lose its effectiveness.
Mykey says
Love the recipe, but you misspelled millimeters.
(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)
A Virtual Vegan says
It's not misspelled. I am English. That is how we spell it.
Joe says
That comment must be a joke. If not, I apologize (or apologise ;)) on behalf of the US. PS great recipe!