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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, single serve chocolate chip cookie, or single serve oatmeal cookie next.
Table of Contents
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
I don’t recommend swapping flours as this can affect the cake’s texture. If you’d prefer to use almond flour, try my almond flour mug cake recipe.
Yes, this mug cake can be baked instead of microwaved. Simply bake it in the oven at 180C/350F for 8-10 minutes or until firm on top.
Yes, to make this recipe eggless, swap out the eggs for a prepared flax egg or any other egg substitute.
Cinnamon Mug Cake
Video
Ingredients
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 32-34 grams
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon coconut flour
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
For the glaze
- 2 teaspoons confectioners sugar melted
- 1 teaspoon milk
- 1 pinch cinnamon
Instructions
- Grease a microwave safe bowl with cooking spray. In a small bowl, add the protein powder, baking powder, coconut flour, cinnamon, and mix well.
- In a small bowl, add the protein powder, baking powder, coconut flour and cinnamon, and mix well. Add the maple syrup, egg, milk, and vanilla extrac. If the batter is too crumbly, continue adding milk of choice until a very thick batter is formed.
- Transfer the mixture to a microwave safe mug and sprinkle the brown sugar and extra cinnamon and swirl over the top.
- Microwave for 60 seconds, or until just cooked in the centre. Top with glaze and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
More mug cake recipes
Originally updated July 2023, updated and republished January 2025
Hi, thanks for sharing so many tasty and healthy recipes! I saw that some other people subbed something for the flour, and I wanted to ask if something like arrowroot starch might work. I don’t have any coconut flour. (I’m not actually keto – i was just craving cinnamon rolls and searched for a healthy, fast recipe. ^^)
I haven’t tried sorry!
Hello, this recipe sounds good. All I have is pristine whey protein powder. Can that be used?
I haven’t tried but feel free to experiment and see!
OMG this is amazing! I love this recipe SO MUCH!!!
Could you use hemp protein powder?
I’ve only tried this recipe as written- Feel free to experiment and see 🙂
How much fiber is in this recipe?
About 5 grams.
I will be trying this today! I just found your site on Pinterest. I was hoping you could tell me where you got that cute camel spoon!!! I want them!!
Hi! I stole it from my mum haha! She got it from a market in Iran 🙂
I’m looking at the nutritional info posted for it. Not sure how that number was ever achieved. Makes it hard to know true carbs.
Sooooo… what’s up with the nutritional info, expressly, the fiber???
Nutritional information is being slowly updated in the coming months, feel free to use myfitnesspal to calculate it in the meantime!
Good recipe. I made the recipe twice without the protein powder and used more almond milk instead of the egg and both times turned out perfect. The third time I decided to try the flax egg mix..big mistake.. it came out like pudding and in spite of adding more flour and baking powder didn’t correct… So lesson learned..no flax egg and more almond milk.
Looks Amazing – but where do I get vanilla protein powder? can you link one you recommend? Are we allowed to substitute it for something else?
Hi! sure, I use the ones mentioned here- thebigmansworld.com/shop 🙂 Enjoy!
Thanks for putting conventional oven instructions. Almost didn’t read recipe because I haven’t
Had a microwave for 9 years and don’t believe anyone should be using them. Will try this using the new Sola sweetener.
It’s personal preference, enjoy 🙂
This was really good! I’m so curious to try out your other mug cake recipes!
I didn’t have any protein powder so I subbed a T of Oat Fiber as an experiment and it came out light and fluffy and very delicious! Without the cinnamon, it makes a great base to add lots of other flavors, which I will certainly be trying!
Oh my gosh this is amazing. I used chocolate protein powder as it’s what I had. It tasted so close to the real thing! It filled the craving I had for years since the rest of my family has tube style ones and I’m gluten free. Thank you!
You are so welcome!