✔ Updated · new dough ratios with butter and milk, a microwave timing guide and a vanilla glaze
This cinnamon roll in a mug is a real rolled swirl, not a cake batter, and it cooks in the microwave in about a minute. Five minutes of mixing, one mug and you've got a warm, gooey roll with a sticky vanilla glaze.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Undercook rather than overcook. Ten seconds too long and the roll goes from soft to chewy, so check it at 50 seconds.
Why You'll Love This Mug Cinnamon Roll
- A real swirl, with buttery cinnamon sugar rolled through every layer.
- No yeast, no waiting, baking powder does the rising in under a minute.
- Just one portion, so a cinnamon roll craving doesn't turn into a whole pan on the counter.
What to Expect From a Microwave Cinnamon Roll
A mug cinnamon roll is soft, steamy and a bit gooey in the middle, more like a warm pull-apart bun than a golden bakery roll. The microwave doesn't brown anything, so the glaze and the cinnamon sugar do all the flavor work.
My mum taught me to trust my senses in the kitchen, and that's the trick here too: when the kitchen smells of warm cinnamon and the top springs back, it's done.
How to Make a Cinnamon Roll in a Mug
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Use a big mug. A 12-ounce mug or bigger gives the roll room to puff. In a small coffee cup it rises over the rim and the middle stays doughy.
- Know your microwave. Start at 50 seconds in a 1000-watt microwave and add 10-second bursts. A 700-watt oven can need the full 70 seconds or a touch more.
- Keep the butter soft, not melted, for the filling. Soft butter holds the cinnamon sugar in place. Melted butter runs out the bottom of the spiral and leaves you with a dry middle.
- Eat it warm. Microwave bakes dry out fast as they cool, so glaze it right away. This is my after-bedtime treat when the kitchen is finally quiet, eaten standing at the counter with a spoon.
- Make it cream cheese glaze: mash 1 tablespoon softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar and skip most of the milk.
Cinnamon Roll in a Mug
1
serving5
minutes1
minute470
kcal6
minutesA single-serve cinnamon roll made in the microwave: a quick no-yeast dough rolled with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon, cooked in a mug for about a minute and finished with a vanilla glaze.
Ingredients
- For the Dough
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 pinch salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons milk
- For the Filling
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, very soft
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- For the Glaze
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 to 1 teaspoon milk
1 drop vanilla extract
Directions
- Make the Roll
- Lightly grease a large microwave-safe mug (at least 12 oz) with butter or oil.
- In a small bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the melted butter and 2 tablespoons milk and stir into a soft dough, adding the last splash of milk only if it’s dry. Knead 4 or 5 times until smooth.
- On a lightly floured surface, pat or roll the dough into a strip about 3 inches wide and 10 inches long. Spread with the soft butter, then sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over it.
- Starting at a short end, roll the strip up into a snug spiral and set it cut side up in the mug.
- Microwave on full power for 50 to 70 seconds (start with 50 in a 1000-watt microwave). It’s done when it has puffed and the top springs back when you touch it, with no wet dough in the center.
- Glaze and Serve
- Stir the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla into a thick glaze. Spoon it over the warm roll and eat right away, while it’s soft.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Tip: If you want to learn how to make cinnamon rolls, this recipe is easy. Not only is it simple and easy to understand, but it is also diverse. Add a teaspoon or tablespoon of lemon juice to your liking. It adds extra dimensions without overwhelming the taste.
- My microwave is 1200 watts. You may need to set the time slightly above or below. All microwave ovens are different, so do not overdo it. If you eat too much, it will be difficult, so first check the microwave strength and set it accordingly. The maximum time required is about 10 minutes. This is only when the microwave speed is too low. Do not forget to continue cooking for a bit after removing if you need to cook more for 5 seconds to avoid overcooking.
Like this recipe?
Follow us @recipefairy on Pinterest
Microwave Timing Guide
| Microwave power | Start checking at | Usual total |
|---|---|---|
| 1100 to 1200 watts | 45 seconds | 45 to 55 seconds |
| 1000 watts | 50 seconds | 50 to 65 seconds |
| 700 to 800 watts | 60 seconds | 65 to 80 seconds |
More Cinnamon Treats
When you have time for the full pan, make my easy cinnamon rolls. Spread warm rolls with copycat Texas Roadhouse cinnamon butter, or pair this one with a homemade cinnamon dolce latte.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make cinnamon rolls in the microwave?
Yes. A no-yeast dough raised with baking powder cooks in about a minute on full power. It won't brown like an oven-baked roll, but you get a soft, steamy, gooey swirl, which is exactly what you want under a glaze.
How long do you microwave a cinnamon roll in a mug?
50 to 70 seconds on full power, depending on wattage. Start at 50 seconds in a 1000-watt microwave, then add 10-second bursts until the top springs back and there's no wet dough in the center.
Why is my mug cinnamon roll tough or rubbery?
It was cooked too long or the dough was kneaded too much. Knead only 4 or 5 times, stop the microwave as soon as the top springs back and eat it straight away. Microwave bakes firm up quickly as they cool.
Can I make a mug cinnamon roll without butter?
You can swap the melted butter in the dough for a neutral oil and use a little extra brown sugar mixed with a few drops of milk as the filling paste. It's less rich and not quite as gooey, but it still works.
Can I bake a cinnamon roll in a mug in the oven?
Yes, if the mug is oven-safe. Bake at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes until puffed and lightly golden, then glaze. You lose the 1-minute speed but get a little more color on top.
Thanks so much for the recipe. I’m looking forward to making it ASAP!
Wow this recipe worked so well. Was a little trickier than I thought but I’ll do a much better job the next time I make it.