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!
Kathryn says
I do have to agree your dirty minded friends were right. . . I like you would not have seen it either until it was pointed out. Also like you I can't unsee it either.
I will still try your recipe. :)
Maggie says
Great recipe.... can't wait to try it!!! Couldn't help laughing at the photos that caused such a stir!!! Will try this at work next week... I love making mug cakes for my co workers....
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Maggie! Aren't your co-workers lucky to have you cooking them mug cakes?!!
Tegan says
Soooo good. Am eating it out of the mug right now. This was far too easy and so delicious I could repeatedly make and eat one after the other... ????
A Virtual Vegan says
Lucky you! I am jealous ???? It is a pretty dangerous recipe because once you know how, it's hard to resist making one every day! So glad you enjoyed it and thank you for coming back to leave feedback. I really appreciate it!
Kaydee says
Thank you so much for this recipe!! It lioks delicious...I need to try this tonight ????
A Virtual Vegan says
You are welcome. I hope you enjoy it!
Kari says
Hi Mel: I literally just signed into my Pinterest and and your recipe was right there staring at me. Not only I am excited to try it, thank you for giving me my first smile of the day. Loved reading the story about the photos and then seeing you posted them at the bottom after the recipe. So glad I found your page. I now have you to follow on Pinterest and Facebook :-)
A Virtual Vegan says
Those pictures still make me chuckle! I am glad they brought a smile to your face too. Make sure you don't use a tall thin mug or you might end up with a rude cinnamon roll too! ???? So glad you found me. I hope you enjoy this recipe and any others you try!
Sue says
We love this recipe. It's great for my kids to make with a little supervision and turns out perfect every-time. Thanks for a great recipe!
A Virtual Vegan says
I am so glad you and your children are enjoying it Sue and thank you for taking the time to leave feedback!
Lindsey says
Great recipe to satisfy my sweet tooth! I had to add more flour as my dough was quite sticky with 3 tablespoons water, just slowly added until it gave a nice shape. Also i microwaved first for 1 minute, then 20 sec, flipped it on a plate and did another 10 sec, turned out great (my microwave is only 800 watts). I like using milk instead of water for the frosting, but otherwise turned out awesome. Will definitely be making again.
A Virtual Vegan says
So glad you enjoyed it Lindsey!:)
M says
I didn't see the "Willy" in the pics but perhaps it's because in the U.K. They don't trim it like in the US so to speak. That being said I'm off to make this dessert :)
A Virtual Vegan says
Ha ha! Or you don't have as dirty a mind as I do! Hope you enjoy it!
Rhonda Redenbarger says
Thank you! Trying this!!! Ahem...saw the pics! LOL
A Virtual Vegan says
????...They still make me laugh now! Hope you enjoy the cinnamon roll!
Valene says
As you pre-warned, this is not Cinnabon. However, this tasted pretty darn good! The only thing was my cinnamon didn't melt into other ingredients that well.
A Virtual Vegan says
I'm glad you enjoyed it. Its just perfect for those times when you want something sweet and stodgy but have no time or inclination to make something more involved. The cinnamon doesn't really 'melt' into the bun in this recipe because it's quite a dry mixture with no oil/butter, but with the frosting running down through it I think it works well. You could if you wanted to make it moister and 'meltier' by spreading a bit of coconut oil or vegan butter on the dough before you sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar on.
Susan says
Oh my goodness.... I kind of hate the fact that I have seen this recipe, due to the fact that it's going to be dangerous. THIS IS SOOO GOOD!! Thank you for sharing this recipe, it really is amazing.
A Virtual Vegan says
Ha ha! Thank you Susan.I am so glad you are enjoying it. It is dangerous once you know how. I've lost count of how many I've made!
Debbie Galt says
Looks yummy. But those first pictures are hilarious. I am sorry to laugh but it is funny.
I am definitely trying this tonight for dessert. Thanks a bunch.
A Virtual Vegan says
Right?! I don't know what I was thinking (or not thinking) when I took them! Hope you enjoy the cinnamon roll. Make sure yours doesn't look x-rated! ????
Bob says
I think you need to revise your recipe to:
Step 1 Buy a huge mug
Step 2 Triple the recipe
A Virtual Vegan says
Ha ha! As it happens my son has an absolutely huge Chelsea football club mug which we sometimes use to make this. ????
Linda says
This was really yummy and it turned out pretty well! I did read ALL your instructions before my attempt. Thanks for this recipe. Sometimes you just need a little something sweet!
A Virtual Vegan says
More than sometimes for me! ;O) So glad it worked out for you Linda and thank you for stopping by to leave feedback. ????
Vegan Mos says
This looks amazing! Thank you!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it :)