Wow! Why did I not get into the mug cake phenomenon until now? When I would see the pictures of mug cakes floating around on Foodgawker.com I thought, seriously, how could a cake be made in the microwave and actually be good? Well, I am here to tell you mug cake works! Not only does it work, it is incredible. It’s brilliant. It’s the greatest thing since sliced bread!
I think I may gain 10 pounds this month from adapting this method for making cake. I created this recipe because I adore cinnamon rolls but I’m not a fan of the prep/wait time. This can be made, ready to eat in 3 minutes flat. This cake is surprisingly moist, it has every flavor of a cinnamon roll, it’s easier and last but definitely not least, clean up is a breeze! How can I go back to the tedious method of rolling and rising cinnamon rolls now? I love the idea of mug cakes because really, what dessert can be made so quickly and taste so decadent as though it took hours to make? How amazed would unexpected guest be when you have this delicious, fancy cake sitting in front of them in just a number of minutes. If you are not a baker, fool anyone into believing you are with this simple cake =). It’s easier than making a box of mac n’ cheese. So husbands that say they can’t cook, see here. You’ve just run out of excuses.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp applesauce
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 Tbsp buttermilk
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 Tbsp packed light-brown sugar
- 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 dash ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp (scant) salt
- 1 Recipe Cream Cheese Icing, recipe follows
- 1 Tbsp Cream Cheese or Neufchatel Cheese, softened
- 2 Tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp milk
Directions
- Prepare Cream Cheese Icing according to directions listed, set aside. Combine all ingredients (minus Cream Cheese Icing) in a mug then whisk together with a fork until combine and nearly smooth. Microwave mixture on high power for 1 minute then check cake for doneness. If it is not fully cooked microwave for an additional 15 seconds. Serve warm topped with Cream Cheese Icing.
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk with a fork until smooth.
Amalia: I definitely want to give this a try! I always want to make an individual dessert, but I want something really good and easy to make and this is just perfect! Thanks for the great recipe, bookmarked :) March 6, 2012 at 5:16pm
Pauline A: What… This is genius. Haha, it may have made my morning! I gotta make this sometime in the (very) near future~ March 7, 2012 at 6:49am
Judy: Where did you find that adorable mini trifle glass? It is the perfect serving dish for that delicious looking cake. March 7, 2012 at 7:15am
tasteofbeirut: As soon as I find this perfect mug I am making this! March 7, 2012 at 7:27am
chocolate-covered katie: Saw this on foodgawker and of course I had to click over.
What a genius idea, and your photos are beautiful! :) March 7, 2012 at 7:42am
scrapwordsmom: I am trying this!! And I just found you via a friend and I am soooo happy I did. I LOVE cooking and I LOVE your blog!!!! March 7, 2012 at 8:57am
Anonymous: ive been seeing alot of chocolate mug cakes. and never a cinnamon cake til now. thank you!! March 7, 2012 at 9:13am
Jaclyn: Thanks everyone for your comments! And Judy – I actually just got the little glass dishes at walmart for $2 if you can believe it =). I’ve been seeing them around filled with trifles and no bake cheesecakes and have been wanting some, I couldn’t believe I found them at walmart and for so cheap! They are the perfect size for this cake. March 7, 2012 at 9:42am
Joan: Great idea and it looks so good! March 7, 2012 at 2:53pm
Anonymous: Tastes pretty appley. I wouldn’t call it “Cinnamon roll cake,” but more like Apple strudel cake or Apple pie cake. Either way, it’s DELICIOUS! :) March 7, 2012 at 4:56pm
shecooksandheeats: Oh my gosh, that looks amazing!! March 7, 2012 at 9:56pm
Anonymous: this sounds so good and easy too. I have made chocolate lava cake in the microwave before using a chocolate cake mix and ready-made chocolate icing and it is delicious and easy. done in 15 min and great to serve to guests. March 13, 2012 at 7:12pm
Peas & Carrots Couture Boutique: Made 3 of these for my little family for breakfast this morning. Wonderful and delicious!
Notes: I didn’t have any buttermilk so I substituted regular 2% milk. I also didn’t have any cream cheese so I left that out. I mixed the icing in a plastic sandwich bag so I could cut off the tip and having a nice little icing bag that would be as cute as your picture! Also mine took 1 1/2 minutes in our microwave. Thanks for sharing your recipe. March 15, 2012 at 8:36am
Jesse: I made this today, I used an egg in place of the applesauce and it was tastey! I dont eat applesauce so I never have it on hand. I used olive oil instead of veg. oil. Would recommend this to everyone! March 25, 2012 at 9:09pm
Anonymous: I make a really delicious chocolate cake in a mug but I don’t like chocolate. So this is perfect! i don’t have any buttermilk… Will vitamin D milk or 1% work? And do you think I can substitute olive oil for vegetable oil? June 10, 2012 at 7:58pm
Jaclyn: 1% milk or Vitamin D would work just fine. I would say you could sub. the olive oil for the veggie oil, but keep in mind you might get a light flavor of the olive oil. I would probably recommend doing half olive oil half veggie that way it wouldn’t be too strong of a flavor. Enjoy! June 11, 2012 at 4:37pm
Anonymous: does anybody have receipe for Pork Chops and Mango Salsa June 19, 2012 at 9:34am
Anonymous: Just found your blog-Love it!!! will be making mug cake tonight. Thanks :) June 19, 2012 at 12:36pm
Jess: just made this! It’s wonderful! I subbed fat free plain greek yogurt for the oil and applesauce bc of what I had on hand. AMAZING. June 21, 2012 at 5:11pm
Carla Scheidecker: What size mug do you use? June 25, 2012 at 6:08pm
Jaclyn: Carla – I would recommend using a medium size mug because if it’s too small it will overflow. Hope that helps, enjoy! June 28, 2012 at 11:37am
Sandy: Did you actually bake it in the trifle bowl? I can’t wait to try it. July 24, 2012 at 3:54pm
Jaclyn: Sandy – yes for these photos I did, but it works perfect in a mug too. Hope you enjoy! July 24, 2012 at 5:54pm
Anonymous: Just made this and it was fabulous! Like another commenter, I used egg instead of applesauce (because I didn’t have any) and it still came out great. Can’t wait to make it again! August 1, 2012 at 4:25pm
Deb Kwek: I will have to try this to thanks glad I found your blog :) August 2, 2012 at 6:39am
Anonymous: Wow! Quick and easy…. Didn’t have applesauce, so subbed for the egg as I saw other comments…
I used the same dessert cups as the pics, but mine overflowed… :-( and had a raw corner…. Will try with applesauce when I get some… My DSD said awesome! August 3, 2012 at 10:26am
Anonymous: How big does the mug need to be? I guess what I want to know is how much should it hold? I can’t wait to try it. Thanks.
Bev Hayes September 5, 2012 at 6:33pm
Jaclyn: Bev – I would say that if your mug holds 2 cups than it should be plenty big enough. The cup pictured was about 1 1/4 cups and it didn’t overflow on me but someone else mentioned they used the same cup and theirs overflowed. So about 1 1/2 cup – 2 cups would probably be good. I hope you love it =). September 5, 2012 at 10:26pm
Samantha: Oh.my. I just happened upon your blog through Recipe Lion and I am drooling over some of these recipes! I am trying this one this weekend!! November 6, 2012 at 7:23am
Anonymous: You can substitute 1 tbsp. lemon juice with enough milk added to make 1C., for 1C. of buttermilk. Olive oil is NOT a good substitute for baking because it’ll change the flavor. You can use canola, or coconut oil or even a third Tbsp of applesauce in place of the vegetable oil. I’ve substituted applesauce for oil in many baking recipes to add moisture.
* You can find powdered buttermilk at your local grocer and it keeps for a long time in your refrigerator. November 15, 2012 at 6:49pm
Jaclyn: This comment has been removed by the author. November 16, 2012 at 10:35am
Anonymous: Add some cut up apples,raisins and nuts and this would be good for breakfast. November 20, 2012 at 8:26am
Anonymous: Can this mug cake be made into a pumpkin roll? My grandson is in college and craves pumpkin roll and this would be great if he could me this inbetween studies. November 20, 2012 at 10:23am
Jaclyn: I don’t see why not, I would maybe try replacing pumpkin puree with the applesauce and maybe increasing the amount even. Hope you he enjoys =)! November 20, 2012 at 12:23pm
Anonymous: I have been looking for a non-chocolate mug cake and I’m so glad I came across this one! I made a few substitutions and it turned out great! I subbed the buttermilk for soymilk and I didn’t have brown sugar so I used 2tbs raw sugar + 1/2 tsp molasses. It was a bit heavy for my taste, so next time I’ll add a bit more baking powder.
Thanks again! It was delicious! :D November 27, 2012 at 9:42pm
Anonymous: I need this in my LIFE!!! :D November 29, 2012 at 12:09pm
Anonymous: Just tried it and it’s so good!
The tasty flavor of applesauce makes it all! December 14, 2012 at 7:38am
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Stacie: Thanks for the recipe and great pictures! I just make this and used an powdered egg replacer for the applesauce (didn’t have any applesauce and allergic to eggs) and used the baggy trick for the icing and it worked great! I also used the same glass and in the picture and it fit perfect when cooked for 1 min.
Will definitely be making this again! February 9, 2013 at 10:57am
Jaclyn: So glad you enjoyed Stacie, thanks so much for your comment! February 10, 2013 at 10:31am
Karen: Do you know if I can times the dry ingredients by 10 and store it, then just add the wet ingredients each time I want to make a mug cake? It would save a lot of time whenever I made a cake. February 13, 2013 at 6:19pm
Jaclyn: Karen – yes that would be fine as long as you measure out or weigh the dry ingredients after combining so you will know how much a 10th would be when removing each time. I hope you enjoy! February 17, 2013 at 11:14am
Mug Recipes: [...] Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake from Cooking Classy [...] February 27, 2013 at 9:14am
jenn: is there anything you can substitute for apple sauce? March 1, 2013 at 1:36pm
Jaclyn: Jenn – someone mentioned in a previous comment they replaced it with an egg so you could give that a try. March 1, 2013 at 9:47pm
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Andrea: This tastes AMAZING!!! I LOVE YOU! March 20, 2013 at 10:41pm
Daxel: I had to microwave it for about 4 minutes (perhaps my microwave is a lot weaker than most?), but it came out tasty!
I didn’t have applesauce or eggs, but I cooked some apples in the microwave like someone suggested and it seemed to work. Thank you!
Since it all eventually goes into the microwave, I’m wondering if you have to use actual applesauce? Could I just use two tablespoons worth of cut up apples and add some water, or would that not work? March 22, 2013 at 8:27pm
Jaclyn: I’m glad you enjoyed it! I wouldn’t recommend the diced apples as they won’t really moisten the cake as much (which is why I added the applesauce, for moisture) they would rather just remain in chunks in the cake. March 23, 2013 at 11:44pm
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Ty: I made this today and it was perfect in every way…both texture and flavor were amazing. I’ve tried mug cakes in the past and they were horrible, but im glad i gave this one a try. Followed the recipe exactly, except I used regular milk in place of buttermilk, and omitted the optional nutmeg. Even without the buttermilk it came out great. Thank you for such an amazing, easy recipe. It will be my “go to” whenever im craving something with cinnamon. Thank you! April 18, 2013 at 10:35pm
Jaclyn: That’s great to hear Ty! Thanks so much for your comment! April 20, 2013 at 10:17pm
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malek: can I use something else instead of apple sauce April 22, 2013 at 11:44pm
Jaclyn: please see above comments, someone mentioned replacing it with egg…. April 25, 2013 at 7:01pm
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Anonymous: Obviously I did something wrong. This didn’t cook well, and it tasted horrible. I don’t blame the recipe though. I’ll try again sometime because it’s a great idea. April 27, 2013 at 10:26am
Jaclyn: I do hope it turns out for you next time! You may want to adjust the cooking time or even the power of your microwave. May 2, 2013 at 8:42pm
Nicole: I just made this and it’s AMAZING!!! I already love applesauce and cinnamon, so the idea of an individual cake was intriguing. The cake has a great texture and the size is perfect for 1. It took 2 minutes in my microwave. Thanks for the great recipe! April 27, 2013 at 2:09pm
Jaclyn: You’re welcome Nicole, I’m so happy to hear you thought it was amazing! April 27, 2013 at 4:09pm
Joan: I made this it was amazing,! I didn’t add any baking powder because I didn’t have any. I didn’t have apple sauce either so instead I added more oil (rather than 1Tbsp oil, 2 Tbsp applesauce I did 3 Tbsp oil) it made for an extremely most cake it was delicious. Next time I make this, and there will be a next time I will only do 2 1/2 Tbsp oil. Overall amazing. April 28, 2013 at 5:40pm
Emily: This recipe is soooooo delicious! Tried it with my friends…. I love vanilla and cinnamon so I added extra! Found that even 1 serving size, 1, is a lot! Thanks soooooo much! May 11, 2013 at 6:27pm
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