This 5-minute Coffee Cake Mug Cake is a ridiculously easy and tasty dessert that's packed full of cinnamon swirl goodness - it's just like a coffee cake, but made in a microwave!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Once you try these Microwave Mug Cakes, you'll quickly realize just how easy and delicious they are and why they're such a massive hit. When I'm short on time and don't want to turn on the oven for a full-on bake, I turn to these for their simplicity - they hit the spot when I'm craving something warm, fresh and sweet, but fast. What makes them so popular?
- Ease and speed - with just a few ingredients, a mug, and a microwave, making these mug cakes is super easy and fast - the kids love eating them, and helping you make them in the kitchen!
- Minimal cleanup - these mug cakes make cleanup effortless - no more mess, as everything mixes and cooks directly in the mug. Grab a spoon and dive straight into your cake without worrying about post-baking cleanup.
- Easy customization - experiment with flavours and toppings to tailor your mug cake to your tastes and cravings.
- Simple ingredients - this recipe relies on pantry staples like flour, milk, and oil that you probably already have at home - ensuring you're always equipped for a spontaneous mug cake moment.
- Vegan-friendly - adapt these mug cakes effortlessly with plant-based milk and sweeteners like maple syrup to make them vegan friendly.
Ingredients
Please see recipe card below for exact quantities.
- Flour - while I typically opt for all-purpose flour, feel free to swap it out with cake flour if you prefer.
- Maple syrup - I like the natural sweetness of maple syrup, but honey, agave nectar, or granulated sugar are fine alternatives to use instead to sweeten your mug cake.
- Unsweetened almond milk - I prefer unsweetened almond milk for its low-calorie content and absence of added sugars, but any milk you have on hand will work just as well in this recipe.
- Melted butter - make sure to use unsalted butter. This will give our mug cake that classic buttery flavour of freshly baked cinnamon rolls.
- Baking powder - essential for achieving that delightful rise and fluffy texture in your mug cake.
- Vanilla extract - add a splash of delicious vanilla flavour.
- Cinnamon and brown sugar - the stars of this recipe, giving it the delicious flavours of cinnamon swirl coffee cake.
Instructions
STEP 1: Into a bowl, combine and stir the dry ingredients for the batter.
STEP 2: Pour in wet ingredients, and mix with dry ingredients until mixture turns into a smooth batter. Set it aside.
STEP 3: In another small bowl, let's prepare our Cinnamon Swirl mixture by combining 2 teaspoon of brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and ½ tablespoon of melted butter. Give it a mix, then set aside.
STEP 4: In a third small bowl, let's prepare our cinnamon sugar topping by mixing together 1 teaspoon of brown sugar with ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Mix, and then set aside.
STEP 5: In our coffee mug, add half of the batter mixture (from steps 1-2).
STEP 6: Layer half of the Cinnamon Swirl mixture (from step 3) on top, and mix it in with a toothpick or fork.
STEP 7: Add in the remaining batter mixture.
STEP 8: followed by the remaining Cinnamon Swirl mixture - again, mixing it in with a toothpick or fork.
STEP 9: Top it off with the cinnamon sugar topping (from step 4). Microwave for 80 seconds or until cooked.
STEP 10: When the cake is ready, take it out and let it cool down for a minute. Enjoy!
Equipment
For this recipe, all you need is a microwave oven and a coffee mug! Make sure to choose a mug that's large enough in size, as the cake batter will rise and expand during cooking. I recommend opting for a mug with a capacity of at least 9 or 10 ounces (266 ml or 283 ml) to ensure it can comfortably contain the cake once it fully expands.
Toasty's Tips
- Microwave ovens vary in power, so it's important to adjust cooking times accordingly. I recommend starting with microwaving for 80 seconds, then checking its doneness. If it needs more time, continue cooking in 15-second increments until it reaches the desired consistency.
- To check if the cake is done, insert a toothpick into the centre of the mug cake. If it comes out clean, indicating no batter residue, the cake is ready to be enjoyed. If batter clings to the toothpick, it needs a bit more cooking time.
- I recommend layering in the batter and cinnamon swirl mixture in multiple layers helps distribute the ingredients throughout the batter, so that you get delicious flavour in every bite.
- You don't necessarily need to use up all of the cinnamon sugar topping - sprinkle some on before cooking, and then save some to sprinkle on after once cooked so that you can adjust the sweetness level to your tastes.
FAQ
Can I add protein powder to my mug cake?
For sure! Adding protein powder into this recipe is a great way to boost its nutritional content with an extra protein kick. However, when integrating protein powder (or any dry ingredients like powdered supplements), make sure to add a splash of milk or another liquid into the mixture. This ensures that your mug cake retains its desired texture and moisture level, resulting in a delightful treat every time.
Do I have to use a coffee mug? Can I use something else?
For sure! Even though "mug cake" suggests using a coffee mug, you can choose any microwave-safe container, as long as it's roughly the size of a standard mug (at least 10 ounces). Ramekins or microwave-safe glass/ceramic bowls work just as well.
Other Mug Cake Recipes to Try
📖 Recipe Card
Coffee Cake Mug Cake
Suggested Equipment
Ingredients
Batter - Dry Ingredients
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- salt - pinch
Batter - Wet Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon unsweetened almond milk
- 2 teaspoon unsalted butter - melted
- 1.5 tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon Swirl
- 2 teaspoon brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ tablespoon unsalted butter - melted
Topping
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Into a bowl, combine and stir the dry ingredients for the batter.
- Pour in wet ingredients, and mix with dry ingredients until mixture turns into a smooth batter. Set it aside.
- In another small bowl, prepare the Cinnamon Swirl mixture by combining 2 teaspoon of brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and ½ tablespoon of melted butter. Give it a mix, then set aside.
- In a third small bowl, let's prepare our cinnamon sugar topping by mixing together 1 teaspoon of brown sugar with ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Mix, and then set aside.
- In our coffee mug, add half of the batter mixture (from steps 1-2).
- Layer half of the Cinnamon Swirl mixture (from step 3) on top, and mix it in with a toothpick or fork.
- Add in the remaining batter mixture, followed by the remaining Cinnamon Swirl mixture - again, mixing it in with a toothpick or fork.
- Top it off with the cinnamon sugar topping (from step 4). Microwave for 80 seconds or until cooked.
- When the cake is ready, take it out and let it cool down for a minute. Enjoy!
Notes
- Video: Watch the step-by-step video tutorial here.
- Microwave ovens vary in power, so it's important to adjust cooking times accordingly. I recommend starting with microwaving for 80 seconds, then checking its doneness. If it needs more time, continue cooking in 15-second increments until it reaches the desired consistency.
- To check if the cake is done, insert a toothpick into the centre of the mug cake. If it comes out clean, indicating no batter residue, the cake is ready to be enjoyed. If batter clings to the toothpick, it needs a bit more cooking time.
- I recommend layering in the batter and cinnamon swirl mixture in multiple layers helps distribute the ingredients throughout the batter, so that you get delicious flavour in every bite.
- You don't necessarily need to use up all of the cinnamon sugar topping - sprinkle some on before cooking, and then save some to sprinkle on after once cooked so that you can adjust the sweetness level to your tastes.
STEP-BY-STEP VIDEO
You can find step-by-step video tutorials for all of my recipes on my YouTube Channel. There you'll find many more tips and tricks to help you along!
Nutrition
Note: Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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