Cinnamon Mug Cake

My cinnamon mug cake recipe is ready in under a minute, and my family swears it tastes just like a warm, fluffy cinnamon roll–glaze and everything!

If you’re looking for more single serve dessert recipes, try my muffin in a mug or single serve chocolate chip cookie next.

Table of Contents

1. Why I love this recipe
2. Key ingredients
3. How to make a cinnamon mug cake
4. Arman’s recipe tips
5. Frequently asked questions
6. Cinnamon Mug Cake (Recipe Card)
7. More mug cake recipes

When someone in the house has a sweet craving, but we’re fresh out of cakes and brownies, I make a round of mug cakes so there isn’t a riot.

That means if we’re craving banana bread, I make banana mug cakes, and if we’re craving brownies, I make brownies in a mug. If we’re craving cinnamon rolls (I think you see where I’m going with this…), I make cinnamon mug cakes!

Why I love this recipe

• Low-key healthy. Unlike actual cinnamon rolls, my cinnamon roll mug cake is filled with protein, fiber, and is low in sugar–though you’d never be able to tell. 
• No all purpose flour. This means it’s gluten-free, and you don’t have to deal with heat-treating raw flour!
• The perfect texture. They’re pillowy soft, moist, and topped with a delicate cinnamon glaze.
• Instant gratification. When I have a sweet tooth craving, time is of the essence, which is why we make mug cakes at least once a week. 

Key ingredients

• Vanilla protein powder. This is the base of the cake ingredients. Make sure to use a powder you enjoy the flavor of. 
• Baking powder. Gives the mug cake some rise and fluffiness. 
• Coconut flour. When mixed with the wet ingredients, coconut flour acts like a sponge and, in turn, yields a super cakey and fluffy cake. 
• Cinnamon. A must for cinnamon flavor! I prefer Saigon cinnamon as it has a more authentic, warm cinnamon taste. 
• Maple syrup. Adds sweetness and moisture. 
• Egg. Room temperature eggs are best.  
• Vanilla extract. For flavor. 
• Sugar. I like brown sugar, but you can use coconut sugar, white sugar, or a sugar-free sweetener like erythritol. 
• Powdered sugar, water or milk, and cinnamon. For the glaze.

How to make a cinnamon mug cake

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1- Prepare. Grease a microwave-safe mug with melted butter and set aside. 

Step 2-  Mix. Combine the dry ingredients (except the sugar) and stir in the wet ingredients until smooth. In a separate small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon. 

Step 3- Microwave. Pour the cake batter into the greased mug, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top, and microwave for 1 minute. 

Step 4- Add the glaze. Combine the glaze ingredients until smooth and drizzle over the top of the cake.

Arman’s recipe tips

• Use a large mug or cereal bowl. The cake will expand at least twice the size of the batter, so pick a mug that won’t overflow. 
• Adjust the liquid. Depending on the type of protein I’m using and the coconut flour brand, sometimes I need to add more almond milk or flour to get the proper consistency. The mug cake should be smooth but pourable–slightly thicker than pancake batter. 
• Microwave in intervals. Everyone’s microwave wattage differs, so I suggest heating the cake in 20-second intervals until it’s firm around the edges and a bit soft in the center. 

Frequently asked questions

More mug cake recipes

• Keto mug cake
• Vanilla mug cake
• Coffee mug cake
• Gingerbread mug cake

Originally updated July 2023, updated and republished January 2025