Cinnamon Roll in a Mug Recipe
If you are craving the sweet, warm goodness of a bakery-style cinnamon roll but don’t want the fuss of baking an entire batch, this Cinnamon Roll in a Mug is an absolute game changer. In just a few minutes, using simple pantry ingredients and your microwave, you can enjoy a soft, gooey treat topped with luscious icing. Whether you’re rushing through a busy morning or need a cozy midnight snack, this mug-sized indulgence offers all the comforting flavors of a classic cinnamon roll with none of the wait.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is key to nailing the perfect Cinnamon Roll in a Mug. Each component plays an essential part in crafting that fluffy texture, sweet aroma, and irresistible flavor.
- Powdered sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet icing that melts beautifully atop your cinnamon roll.
- Water or dairy-free milk: Helps to thin out the icing to just the right drippy consistency without overpowering flavor.
- Oil for greasing: Prevents sticking and adds a subtle richness to the mug’s interior—sunflower, canola, olive, or coconut oil all work wonderfully.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the dough, providing structure while staying tender.
- Baking powder: The secret behind that delightful puff and rise in your mug.
- Sea salt: A pinch to balance sweetness and intensify flavor.
- Water: Binds the dough without making it sticky, crucial for achieving the perfect texture.
- Ground cinnamon: The star spice, delivering that signature warm, cozy flavor.
- Brown sugar (or coconut sugar): Adds deep caramel notes and a hint of molasses, giving the roll its iconic sweetness.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll in a Mug
Step 1: Prepare the Icing
Start by mixing the powdered sugar with a tiny amount of water or your preferred plant-based milk. Add the liquid slowly—just a little at a time—stirring well until you achieve a thick yet drippy consistency. This icing is what gives the cinnamon roll its luscious finish, so take your time to get it just right before setting it aside.
Step 2: Grease Your Mug
Next, lightly oil a regular-sized drinking mug (about 11 to 12 ounces). This simple step ensures your cinnamon roll will slide out easily after cooking and develops a subtle crispness on the outside edges.
Step 3: Make the Dough
In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add roughly 4 tablespoons of water, mixing until a tacky dough forms. Use your hands to gently bring it into a smooth ball—be careful not to overwork it, as that can make your roll tough.
Step 4: Roll Out and Fill
Dust your workspace with a little flour, then roll the dough out into a rectangle about 4 inches wide and a few millimeters thick. Sprinkle the cinnamon and brown sugar evenly over the dough. Fold the long edges inward to meet in the middle, sealing in all those sweet treasures so they don’t spill out during cooking.
Step 5: Roll and Place in Mug
Roll the dough up tightly from one end, then gently place this mini cinnamon roll into your greased mug. Pour half a teaspoon of water over it—this creates the steam necessary for a soft, tender crumb as it microwaves.
Step 6: Microwave to Perfection
Microwave the mug uncovered on full power for about 50 seconds. Microwaves vary, so if yours is lower wattage, you may need to adjust the time slightly, but avoid cooking it longer than 1 minute and 10 seconds to prevent drying. Check doneness with a toothpick; it should come out clean. You’ll notice the roll puffs up close to the rim but stays pale and slightly moist—that means it’s perfectly cooked!
Step 7: Add the Icing and Enjoy
Finally, either spoon the icing directly over your warm Cinnamon Roll in a Mug or loosen the edges with a knife and turn it out onto a plate for a more traditional presentation. Devour immediately for the best warm, gooey experience!
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll in a Mug
Garnishes
Enhance your mug cinnamon roll with a sprinkle of crushed nuts for crunch, a drizzle of extra icing for sweetness, or a pinch of flaky sea salt to contrast the sugar. Fresh fruit like raspberries or thin apple slices make a lovely, vibrant topping as well.
Side Dishes
This quick treat pairs surprisingly well with a creamy latte or a frothy cup of chai tea. For a more substantial breakfast, serve alongside fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the warm cinnamon spice.
Cinnamon Roll in a Mug: Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress guests, serve your Cinnamon Roll in a Mug with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on top to turn it into a decadent dessert. Alternatively, use colorful mugs or add edible flowers for a playful twist that transforms this humble snack into a delightful centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Since this treat is best enjoyed fresh, it’s normal if you don’t finish the Cinnamon Roll in a Mug in one go. Store any leftovers loosely covered at room temperature for up to 24 hours. The texture may become dryer, so plan to reheat gently before eating.
Freezing
Because this recipe is designed for quick preparation in a mug, freezing the prepared dough or cooked roll isn’t ideal. Instead, freeze the dough ball before rolling if you want to prep in advance. Thaw completely before shaping and microwaving.
Reheating
When it’s time for round two, pop your leftover Cinnamon Roll in a Mug into the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds to restore warmth without drying it out. Add fresh icing or a dab of butter to revive moisture and flavor.
FAQs
Can I use gluten-free flour for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just be sure to use a gluten-free flour blend that includes a binding agent to maintain the dough’s structure and avoid crumbling.
Is there a vegan version of Cinnamon Roll in a Mug?
Yes! Swap regular milk for any plant-based milk and use oil instead of butter. The icing can be made with water or non-dairy milk as well, keeping it fully vegan-friendly.
How do I prevent the roll from drying out in the microwave?
Adding a small amount of water before cooking helps create steam, which keeps the roll moist. Also, avoid overcooking by microwaving in short bursts once you reach the suggested time.
Can I make this without a microwave?
While this recipe is tailored for microwave convenience, you can try baking your rolled cinnamon dough in an oven-safe dish at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, though results will vary.
What can I do if my cinnamon roll sticks to the mug?
Make sure you grease the mug thoroughly with oil before placing your rolled dough inside. Running a knife gently along the edges after cooking also helps loosen it for easy removal.
Final Thoughts
This Cinnamon Roll in a Mug is an absolute lifesaver when you want something sweet, quick, and satisfying with minimal fuss. The cozy mix of cinnamon, sugar, and warm dough is like a big comforting hug in a cup, perfect any time of day. Give it a try—you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!
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Cinnamon Roll in a Mug Recipe
- Total Time: 11 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Cinnamon Roll in a Mug is a quick and easy single-serving treat that delivers the comforting flavors of a classic cinnamon roll in just minutes. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or an indulgent snack, it combines a soft and fluffy dough rolled with cinnamon and brown sugar, all microwaved for a fuss-free, delightful experience. Topped with a simple homemade icing, this recipe is perfect when you’re craving a warm cinnamon roll but short on time or ingredients.
Ingredients
Dough
- 9 tablespoons (70 grams) all purpose flour (plain flour in the UK)
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 small pinch fine sea salt
- about 4 tablespoons water
Filling
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1½ tablespoons brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
Icing
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar (icing sugar in the UK)
- about ¾ teaspoon water or dairy free milk
Other
- a tiny dab oil (such as sunflower, canola, olive, or coconut oil) for greasing the mug
- ½ teaspoon water (for steaming during microwaving)
Instructions
- Make the icing. In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar with water or plant-based milk. Add the liquid very gradually, up to about ¾ teaspoon, stirring well after each addition until you achieve a thick, drippy consistency. Set aside.
- Grease the mug. Lightly oil a standard 11 to 12 oz drinking mug using a tiny dab of your chosen oil to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients. In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and fine sea salt. Stir well to blend evenly.
- Form the dough. Gradually add about 4 tablespoons of water to the dry ingredients and stir until a slightly tacky but not sticky dough forms. Using your hand, bring it together and knead gently a few times until it forms a smooth ball. Avoid overworking the dough to prevent toughness.
- Roll out the dough. Lightly flour a clean surface and roll the dough into a long strip, approximately 4 inches wide and ⅛ inch thick (a few millimeters).
- Add the filling. Evenly sprinkle the ground cinnamon and brown sugar over the dough strip. Fold the longest edges inward to meet in the middle, sealing the cinnamon and sugar inside and preventing spillage when rolling.
- Roll up the dough. Roll the strip tightly into a log shape, then gently place it into the greased mug.
- Add water for steam. Pour ½ teaspoon of water over the cinnamon roll inside the mug to create steam during microwaving.
- Microwave the roll. Cook the mug uncovered on full power for about 50 seconds (based on a 1200 watt microwave). Adjust your time by +/- 5 seconds if your microwave wattage differs. Slight undercooking is better than overcooking; you can finish cooking in short increments if necessary.
- Check doneness. The roll should have puffed up and nearly fill the mug when done. It will look pale and somewhat damp because it is microwaved, not baked. Use a toothpick or skewer inserted into the center to ensure it comes out clean.
- Serve with icing. Spoon the prepared icing over the cinnamon roll while it’s still warm. Alternatively, loosen the roll by running a knife around the mug’s edge, turn it out onto a plate, then ice and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Microwave times vary; start with 50 seconds and adjust based on your appliance’s wattage.
- Use plant-based milk in the icing for a dairy-free option.
- Do not overwork the dough to keep the texture light and tender.
- Serve immediately for the best warm, gooey experience.
- You can substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar for a different flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Microwave
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mug cinnamon roll with icing
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: cinnamon roll, mug cake, quick cinnamon roll, microwaved dessert, single serving cinnamon roll, easy breakfast recipe
