Snickerdoodle Mug Cake

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe· 5 from 3 reviews

A quick and easy mug cake with the delicious cinnamon sugar flavor of your favorite snickerdoodle cookie! Before cooking, the mug is dusted with cinnamon sugar, and extra cinnamon sugar is added in the center of the fluffy vanilla cake for a sweet surprise!

snickerdoodle mug cake on plate with spoon

Snickerdoodles are a classic cookie for good reason - when have you ever wanted to turn down the satisfying simplicity of cinnamon and sugar? And now with this snickerdoodle mug cake, you can enjoy that flavor in less than 10 minutes!

The base of this snickerdoodle mug cake is a super fluffy yet tender vanilla cake batter. But, before the batter is placed in the mug to cook, the mug is coated in a layer of cinnamon sugar, which sticks to the mug thanks to the help of some melted butter! For an even sweeter surprise, an extra layer of cinnamon sugar is added in the center!

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Recipe ingredients

Ingredient notes

butter: this recipe calls for unsalted butter, but if you don’t have it, just leave out the pinch of salt called for in the cake batter.
milk: I like using whole milk because it gives the cake a richer texture. But, skim, 2% or non-dairy milk will also work.

Step by step photos

1. Mix the dry ingredients and set aside.

dry ingredients being mixed in small bowl

2. Melt the butter in the microwave, in the mug you will use to cook the mug cake. Once the butter is melted, carefully swirl it around the sides of the mug. You don't need to go all the way up the sides, only half-way will do.

butter being swirled around inside a blue mug

3. Add the melted butter, vanilla, and milk into the dry ingredients. Mix together until smooth, but try not to overmix. I'm using my new favorite kitchen tool, a mini whisk! (Affiliate link.) If there ever was a perfect application for a mini whisk, this is it!

4. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the remaining sugar and cinnamon.

cinnamon and sugar being mixed together in small bowl

5. Sprinkle about ⅓ of the cinnamon sugar into the bottom and sides of the mug; it will stick to where the butter was swirled.

collage of cinnamon sugar being dusted inside mug

6. Then, add in half the cake batter. Sprinkle another ⅓ of the cinnamon sugar evenly on top. Add in the remaining batter, and finish off with the rest of the cinnamon sugar.

collage of cinnamon sugar and batter being added to mug

7. Microwave until the cake is cooked through; there should be no wet batter on top. If you would like, overturn the mug cake onto a plate and dust with a bit more cinnamon!

cinnamon being dusted overtop snickerdoodle mug cake

Tips and tricks

If you notice that your baking powder is a little bit pebbly, break it up in your fingers or with a fork (or your mini whisk!) before adding to the dry ingredients. It is hard to mix those in fully once you add it to the batter and they will taste bitter!

If you are having trouble unmolding the cake, run a butter knife around the edges, it should pop right out!

Since you are working with such small amounts, be sure to measure the ingredients carefully to make sure the texture and flavor of the cake are spot-on.

Recipe FAQs

How do I make sure the mug cake doesn't overflow?

You just need to make sure that you use a mug that is large enough. It should be at least 12 ounces or larger. If you want to be extra careful, you could put the mug on top of a microwave-safe plate to catch any potential drips. And please make sure the mug you are using is also microwave safe!

How do I know when the mug cake is done?

After the initial cook time of 90 seconds, check the top of the mug cake. It should be springy, with no wet batter remaining. You can also try peeking down the sides of the cake to check for any pockets of wet batter there. However, you will need to distinguish wet batter from the natural moisture on the outside of the cake from the cinnamon sugar coating.

If needed, you can microwave the cake for 10 more seconds, then check again. Don't be concerned if you need to adjust the cooking time from what is in the recipe, all microwave ovens vary!

How do I serve the mug cake?

You can choose to either unmold the mug cake onto a plate, or eat it straight from the mug. And of course, the experience can only be enhanced by an extra dash of cinnamon for garnish, plus a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream!

Hand sprinkling cinnamon overtop snickerdoodle mug cake

chocolate berry mug cake on plate with spoon on the side — **Chocolate berry mug cake**

Oreo mug cake in white mug with black spoon — **Oreo mug cake**

mocha mug cake with raspberries and spoon — **Mocha mug cake**

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Snickerdoodle Mug Cake

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 3 reviews

All the cinnamon sugar flavor of your favorite snickerdoodle, in a quick and easy mug cake!

Author: Kate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes
Yield: 1 mug cake 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: microwave
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

1 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
pinch salt
¼ cup milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon cinnamon, plus extra for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. In a small bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, and 2 tablespoons of the granulated sugar. Set aside.

2. Place the butter into a large, microwave-safe mug. Place a folded paper towel on top (to catch any spatter) and microwave on high for 30 seconds, or until the butter is melted. Carefully swirl the melted butter around the sides of the mug (you only need to get the butter about half-way up the sides of the mug).

3. Pour the melted butter, along with the milk and vanilla into the bowl of dry ingredients. Mix together with a fork or small whisk just until no lumps remain (do not overmix!).

4. In a separate small bowl, mix together the remaining 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle about ⅓ of the mixture on the bottom and sides of the mug, turning the mug as you sprinkle; the cinnamon sugar will stick to where the butter was swirled inside the mug.

5. Pour about half the batter into the mug, then sprinkle on another ⅓ of the cinnamon sugar evenly on top. Then, pour the remaining batter in the mug, smoothing the top if needed. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture evenly on top.

6. Microwave the mug cake on high for 90 seconds. Check the cake; if there is still wet batter on top, microwave again in 10 second increments until the cake is cooked through. Either unmold the cake onto a plate or bowl, or serve right from the mug. Top with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon if desired!

Notes

If your baking powder is pebbly, break it apart with your fingers or a fork before adding to the other ingredients. Getting a little piece of baking powder in the finished cake will taste quite bitter!

Use a mug that is at least 12 ounces to make sure the batter doesn’t overflow while it cooks. If you are worried, place the mug onto a microwave-safe plate to catch any potential drips. And of course, make sure the mug is microwave-safe also!

If the cake won't release from the mug when flipped over, run a butter knife around the edges to loosen the cake.

Snickerdoodle Mug Cake