Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 8 reviews

This 5-minute coffee cake in a mug features a moist and fluffy vanilla cake, a cinnamon sugar ripple in the middle, and a crunchy cinnamon topping, all in a single serving! It’s the ultimate quick and easy dessert to enjoy when you’re craving a sweet treat but don’t want to bake a whole vegan coffee cake.

overhead view of coffee cake being scooped out of a shallow white bowl with a spoon on a grey and white background.

You know those recipes you forget about for a while and then rediscover? This easy vegan dessert actually isn’t that. I’ve been making this recipe consistently for years because it’s just so convenient and easy!

Liv’s quick tip:

Mug cakes are best made and eaten right away, so don’t plan to let this sit on your counter for too long before you enjoy it, because they tend to dry out quickly!

This is exactly why this vegan mug cake recipe is in the running for the best microwave mug cake on my blog. The cake is deliciously moist and fluffy, with just the right amount of cinnamon and vanilla for that classic coffee cake flavour.

overhead view of wet and dry ingredients before being incorporated to make coffee cake.
Gather all ingredients.
wet ingredients being incorporated together in a white porcelain bowl on a white backdrop.
Combine wet ingredients.
overhead view of wet ingredients being poured into the dry ingredients in a white bowl.
Stir it up!
overhead view of batter being poured into a white porcelain coffee mug on a white backdrop.
Add half of the batter to your mug.
overhead view of cinnamon sugar being poured onto the top of the coffee cake in a white porcelain coffee mug
Sprinkle on the cinnamon sugar.
overhead view of batter being poured onto the top of the coffee cake as a second layer in a white porcelain coffee mug
Second layer.
overhead view of cinnamon sugar being poured onto the top of the coffee cake in a white porcelain coffee mug
One more sprinkle!
overhead view of coffee cake being scooped out of a shallow white bowl with a spoon on a white background.
Microwave and enjoy!

How I tell when its perfectly done

The tricky thing about mug cakes is that their cooking times vary because each microwave is different. For me, this mug cake is perfectly cooked after 1 minute and 20 seconds in my microwave. The cake will look slightly puffed up in the centre and should no longer be wet on top. Set it aside to cool for about 1 minute, then touch the top of the cake to see if it feels slightly springy.

You could try microwaving it for 1 minute and 10 seconds, check to see if it still looks moist, and then microwave it for another 15 to 20 seconds if needed. Just try to avoid overcooking the mug cake or else it won’t be as fluffy and soft.

side view of coffee cake being scooped out of a shallow white bowl with a spoon on a white background.

Is it a snack, a dessert? I say both!

This single-serve microwaved mug cake comes in handy when the sweet treat cravings hit! Enjoy the sweet, cinnamon goodness as-is or top the cake with a simple vanilla glaze, chopped pecans, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce or vegan Nutella. Even a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream on top would be delicious.

And just like my regular sized vegan coffee cake, this mug cake is the best treat to pair with a hot cup of coffee, freshly brewed tea, iced coffee or hot tea!

overhead view of coffee cake being scooped out of a shallow white bowl with a spoon on a white background.
Print
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overhead view of coffee cake being scooped out of a shallow white bowl with a spoon on a white background.

5-Minute Vegan Coffee Cake in a Mug

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 8 reviews
  • Author: Olivia Biermann
  • Prep Time: 3 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 minute 20
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 mug cake
  • Category: cakes
  • Method: microwave
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

This 5-Minute Coffee Cake in a Mug features a moist and fluffy vanilla cake, a cinnamon sugar ripple in the middle, and a crunchy cinnamon topping, all in a single serving! It’s the ultimate quick and easy dessert to enjoy when you’re craving a sweet treat but don’t want to bake a whole vegan coffee cake.

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp vegan butter, melted
  • 3 tbsp non-dairy milk
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 5 tbsp flour
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tbsp sugar + 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Set aside 1 tsp of melted butter.
  2. Combine the rest of the melted butter, milk, sugar and vanilla and stir until sugar is dissolved.
  3. In a small bowl, stir together the flour and baking powder. Add the wet mixture and stir until smooth.
  4. Pour half of the mixture into your mug. Sprinkle with half of the cinnamon sugar mixture. Add the other half of the batter and smooth on top. Add the rest of the cinnamon sugar, then drizzle with the 1 tsp of melted butter.
  5. Microwave on high for approx 1 minute 20 seconds, until slightly puffed up in the center (it shouldn’t look wet on top, it should be slightly springy to the touch.
  6. Remove and let cool a few minutes before eating. Enjoy!

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