This 5-minute Lemon Pie Mug Cake is a bright, citrusy dessert that's packed with flavour and super easy to make, with just a few simple ingredients, a coffee mug, and a microwave!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
If you're seeking the easiest and fastest way to make cake for dessert, look no further than these Microwave Mug Cakes. In under 5 minutes, you'll be enjoying this warm, freshly baked cake that's packed with bright, citrusy lemon notes - all without needing to heat up the oven. These are my go-to favourites when I'm craving something sweet, but don't have the time or energy to bake. What makes these so popular?
- Quick and kid-friendly - with just a handful of ingredients, a mug, and a microwave, these are so easy to make that even the little ones can get in on the fun of making their own sweet treats.
- Easy cleanup - since everything is mixed and cooked right in the coffee mug, there's no mess to deal with. Enjoy your cake straight from the mug, making it a hassle-free dessert.
- Easily customizable - have fun experimenting with different flavour combinations using a variety of ingredients and toppings.
- Simple ingredients - all you need are ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen - staples like flour, milk, vegetable oil, and a few extras are all it takes to whip up a delicious mug cake whenever the craving strikes.
- Vegan-friendly - simply swap in plant-based milk and use a vegan sweetener like maple syrup.
Ingredients
Please see recipe card below for exact quantities.
- Flour - while I typically use all-purpose flour, you can swap it out with cake flour if you prefer.
- Maple syrup - I'm partial to maple syrup for its natural sweetness, but honey, agave nectar, or granulated sugar can all step in to sweeten your mug cake just as well.
- Unsweetened almond milk - I prefer this for its low calories and no added sugars, but any milk variety you have on hand will work wonderfully.
- Vegetable oil - canola oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil will work just as well in providing moisture and richness.
- Baking powder - don't forget this essential ingredient! Baking powder is key for achieving that delightful rise and fluffy texture in your mug cake, transforming it from a simple mixture into a delicious treat.
- Vanilla extract - for a splash of delicious vanilla flavour.
- Lemon - the star of the show when it comes to bringing bright, citrusy lemon notes front and centre in this recipe.
- Powdered sugar - for our delicious lemon glaze topping!
Instructions
STEP 1: Grab a lemon, and squeeze 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and grate 2 teaspoon of lemon zest.
STEP 2: Into a mug, combine and stir the dry ingredients.
STEP 3: Pour in wet ingredients, and mix with dry ingredients until mixture turns into a smooth batter. Microwave for 80 seconds or until cooked (cooking times may vary depending on your microwave).
STEP 4: While it's cooking, let's prepare our lemon glaze topping. In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoon of powdered sugar and ½ teaspoon of lemon juice. Stir until it becomes a smooth, runny consistency.
STEP 5: When the cake is ready, take it out and drizzle the lemon glaze topping right on top. Add a few more sprinkles of any remaining lemon zest. Enjoy!
Equipment
For this recipe, all you need is a microwave oven and a coffee mug! The cake batter will rise and expand when cooked, so make sure to use a mug that's big enough to hold and support it. I recommend choosing 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 cooking times may vary. I suggest microwaving the mug cake for around 80 seconds to start, then checking its doneness. If it needs more time, add 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, the cake is ready to eat. If batter clings to the toothpick, add a bit more cooking time.
- As for toppings, get creative with your choices! This lemon cake goes great with poppyseeds, chia seeds, chopped walnuts, or even coconut flakes!
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?
Absolutely! While the term "mug cake" implies using a coffee mug, you can use other containers as well, as long as it's microwave-safe and similar in size to a standard coffee mug (at least 10 ounces). Ramekins or microwave-safe glass/ceramic bowls make great alternatives.
Other Mug Cake Recipes to Try
📖 Recipe Card
Lemon Pie Mug Cake
Suggested Equipment
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
Wet Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1.5 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Lemon Glaze Topping
- 2 tablespoon powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Grab a lemon, and squeeze 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and grate 2 teaspoon of lemon zest.
- Into a mug, combine and stir the dry ingredients.
- Pour in wet ingredients, and mix with dry ingredients until mixture turns into a smooth batter.
- Microwave for 80 seconds or until cooked (cooking times may vary depending on your microwave).
- While it's cooking, let's prepare our lemon glaze topping. In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoon of powdered sugar and ½ teaspoon of lemon juice. Stir until it becomes a smooth, runny consistency.
- When the cake is ready, take it out and drizzle the lemon glaze topping right on top. Add a few more sprinkles of any remaining lemon zest. Enjoy!
Notes
- Video: Watch the step-by-step video tutorial here.
- Microwave ovens vary in power, so cooking times may vary. I suggest microwaving the mug cake for around 80 seconds to start, then checking its doneness. If it needs more time, add 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, the cake is ready to eat. If batter clings to the toothpick, add a bit more cooking time.
- I recommend choosing a mug with a capacity of at least 10 ounces (283 ml) to ensure it can comfortably contain the cake once it fully expands.
- As for toppings, get creative with your choices! This lemon cake goes great with poppyseeds, chia seeds, chopped walnuts, or even coconut flakes!
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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