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!
E dog says
This recipe was kind of a fail their wasnt any measurments
A Virtual Vegan says
I'm not surprised it failed if you didn't follow the directions. The measurements and full instructions are all there at the bottom of my post as they are with every single one of my recipes.
Alyse Stovall says
LOL
Officially understand the phrase "Food Porn" now!
A Virtual Vegan says
Ha ha! ????
Arina Rybalchenko says
I baked this in an oven at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes and it turned out great
A Virtual Vegan says
So glad it worked out Arina and thank you for letting me know here. It will be really useful for others to see. ????
vicky says
Too good to be true.
Katelyn R. says
Yes, agreed. Very dirty pictures. Thank you for this great recipe! I will definitely be trying this very soon...
A Virtual Vegan says
Ha ha! I hope you enjoy it!
Jill says
I have a questionably dirty mind, and I didn't see anything wrong with the first pics, except that I was LOOKING for it, so now I can kind of get it. But if I hadn't known first, I wouldn't have thought twice about them, LOL...????
A Virtual Vegan says
It's funny that everyone is so divided on it. Some people see it right away, others say it's not dirty at all. I think it says a lot about those of us who do see it! ????
Wendy says
This was good and did not disappoint, I am however hoing to experiment with the icing, never been crazy about powdered sugar glaze, for me it mad the roll taste artificial, perhaps something more along the line of caramel (brown sugar) glaze or maple syrup
A Virtual Vegan says
That's great Wendy. I am glad you enjoyed it. A brown sugar caramel type glaze would be awesome, or as you say just straight maple syrup. This recipe has been so successful that I plan to make some variations of it in the future.
Vicki says
I know this is a dessert recipe and I tried it and I enjoyed, it I think next time though I would make it with 40 seconds on my 1200 watt microwave. I was wondering have you ever tried, since this is just a good dough recipe and easy mug type food to maybe put butter and garlic salt, maybe some parsley and roll that up for like a spaghetti dinner or something? I'm think I'm going to try that one of these days. This is a nice little recipe.
A Virtual Vegan says
I think that's a great idea. I might try it! Glad you enjoyed the cinnamon roll.
Coco says
I really enjoyed this! I like your recipes!
A Virtual Vegan says
That's awesome. Thank you!
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.
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Josephine. I appreciate your support. After this recipe was published it went viral on Facebook with over 2.5 million views which is fantastic, but I received a lot of negative messages from people who hadn't followed the recipe properly. Par for the course I suppose when so many people are making it, but at one point it really started getting to me and I nearly deleted the recipe from my website because of it. It's thanks to the support of some other bloggers who tested the recipe for me after I doubted myself, and assured me that it worked perfectly well, plus fabulous readers like yourself with their lovely comments, that it's still there today. That's why I ended up adding all of the extra instructions. It seems to be helping and people are having a much more positive experience now that I have stressed the importance of following the recipe exactly. It's been a learning curve though and I realize I have to develop a thicker skin as my blog grows and reaches more and more people. There are always going to be those that you just can't please no matter what. Thankfully the vast majority are wonderful (like you) and it's that that keeps me going! Have a fab weekend and I hope you enjoy your cinnamon roll! ????
Trish says
To me this looks like the very center of a cinnamon roll, which everyone knows is the best part! yummy! I shall try this. (I peeked at your "former" pictures" , and, indeed, I have to agree with nameless! lololol!
A Virtual Vegan says
Ha ha! You have a dirty mind too! ???? And yes it is kind of like the centre if a traditional cinnamon roll. I hadn't thought of it like that until now. Hope you enjoy it Trish!
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 ;)
A Virtual Vegan says
That's great Tiffanie! I hope they enjoy them! They are a fun project for kids to make themselves too, although probably not a good idea before school! ????