Cinnamon Roll in a Mug

I’ll be honest. I used to think microwave desserts were kind of a letdown. Most of them come out dry, chewy, or just plain weird. But then I tried this.

There is something so great about the smell of warm cinnamon filling your kitchen in under ten minutes. Usually, making cinnamon rolls is a whole day project. You have to wait hours for the dough to rise. It’s a mess. But this single-serving version is for those times when you need a treat right now.

I came up with this because I wanted that cozy bakery feel without the huge pile of dishes. The secret? A “steam-cook” trick. It keeps the roll soft and fluffy instead of turning it into a hockey puck.

The Backstory

Classic cinnamon rolls come from Sweden. But the “mug cake” is a much newer thing. It’s perfect for dorm rooms or small apartments. This recipe is a mix of both worlds. It uses real dough that you actually roll out, but it’s built for the speed of a microwave.

By adding a tiny bit of water before you cook it, we’re copying those expensive steam ovens professionals use. It makes a microwave roll that actually tastes like real pastry.

Quick Stats

Before we grab the flour, let’s look at the numbers.

Feature	Details
Prep Time	5 Minutes
Cook Time	1 Minute (approx.)
Total Time	6 Minutes
Difficulty	Easy – Intermediate
Serving Size	1 Single Roll

Tools and Prep

This recipe works best in a standard 11 or 12 oz mug. Making dessert for a friend? Make two separate mugs. Don’t try to double the dough in one cup. Microwaves are picky about heat, and a giant lump of dough won’t cook right.

You’ll need:

• A small bowl
• A rolling pin (or a smooth wine bottle if you’re like me and don’t own a rolling pin)
• A microwave-safe mug

The good news? You can prep the dry stuff ahead of time. Just put the flour, baking powder, and sugar in a jar. When you’re hungry later, just add water and oil. You’ll be 60 seconds away from bliss.

The Ingredients

You probably have all of this in your pantry already.

The Dough

• 9 tablespoons all-purpose flour (about 70 grams)
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• A small pinch of sea salt
• 4 tablespoons water (Add this slowly! You might need a tiny bit more or less)

The Filling

• 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar (Coconut sugar also works great)
• ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon

The Icing

• 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
• ¾ teaspoon water or dairy-free milk

The Extras

• A tiny dab of oil (for the mug)
• ½ teaspoon water (to pour on top before cooking)

Step-by-Step Method

Let’s get cooking. I’ll walk you through it so it comes out perfect.

Step 1: Prep the Accents

Mix your icing first. Add the liquid to the powdered sugar a little at a time. You want it to be thick and drippy. It should stay on top of the roll for a second before it sinks in. Set that aside. Now, rub a tiny bit of oil inside your mug so nothing sticks.

Step 2: Build the Dough

Whisk your dry ingredients in a bowl. Stir in the water. Here is the trick: you want the dough to be a little tacky but not sticky. Use your hands to pull it into a ball. Don’t overwork it! If you knead it too much, the microwave will make it tough.

Step 3: The Roll and Swirl

Put some flour on your counter. Roll the dough into a long strip. Aim for 4 inches wide and ⅛ inch thick. Shake your cinnamon-sugar mix over it.

Pro tip: Fold the long edges inward toward the middle before you roll it up. This keeps the sugar trapped inside. It won’t leak out and burn at the bottom of your mug. Roll it tight and tuck it into the mug.

Step 4: The Steam-Cook

Pour that extra ½ teaspoon of water right on top of the roll. This makes the steam that keeps things soft. Microwave on high for about 50 seconds. It will puff up a lot! It might look a little pale or damp. That’s fine. Do not overcook it. If you wait for it to look “brown,” it will be as hard as a rock.

Make it Your Own

• Vegan: Just make sure your sugar is vegan-friendly.
• Fall Vibes: Use pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon.
• Winter Vibes: Add ground ginger and cloves for a gingerbread taste.
• Crunch: Add some chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling.

How to Eat and Save It

This is a “right now” dessert. It’s much better when it’s fresh. Run a knife around the edge of the mug and flip it onto a plate. Pour that icing over the top while it’s hot.

It goes great with a cup of black coffee or cold almond milk.

I don’t really suggest saving this for later. Microwave dough gets chewy as it cools down. If you have to save it, wrap it tight in plastic wrap. When you reheat it, add a drop of water and only microwave for 10 seconds.

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