The fastest, coziest dessert for chilly evenings is this Quick Gingerbread Mug Cake.
Warm, spicy gingerbread goodness in just 90 seconds, no joke.
The molasses and cinnamon create that classic holiday flavor without the fuss of traditional baking.
Waiting around for dessert can be frustrating.
Grab your favorite mug and see how this tiny treat might just become your new midnight craving…
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground ginger
- Nutmeg
- Salt
- Granulated sugar
- Unsalted butter
- Molasses
- Milk
Recommended Tools
Whipping up a gingerbread mug cake is super simple when you have the right tools on hand. While this quick treat doesn’t require anything fancy, a few basic kitchen items will make the process smoother and ensure your cake turns out perfect every time.
- Microwave-Safe Mug:
A large ceramic mug gives your cake room to rise without spilling over during cooking.
- Measuring Spoons:
Essential for accurately measuring small amounts of spices and baking powder to get that perfect gingerbread flavor.
- Measuring Cups:
Helps you portion the flour and milk precisely so your cake has the right texture.
- Small Whisk:
Perfect for thoroughly mixing your dry ingredients and creating a smooth batter without lumps.
- Microwave:
The star of the show that transforms your batter into a warm, spicy cake in just over a minute.
- Small Silicone Spatula:
Handy for scraping down the sides of your mug and making sure all ingredients are well incorporated.
Instructions for Quick Gingerbread Mug Cake
Let’s whip up this cozy treat in just minutes! Grab your favorite oversized mug and get ready for some gingerbread goodness.
1. Start by popping 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter into your microwave-safe mug and melt it for about 30 seconds. The butter should be completely melted but not bubbling hot!
2. Now for the sweet stuff! Add 2 teaspoons of molasses, ¼ cup of milk, and 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar to your melted butter. Stir everything together until well combined. The mixture should look smooth and caramel-colored.
3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together 5 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon of baking powder, ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger, a pinch of nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.
This spice blend is what gives your cake that classic gingerbread flavor – doesn’t it smell amazing already?
4. Gradually add your dry ingredients to the mug, stirring continuously until you have a smooth batter. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the mug with your spoon to get all the flour incorporated!
5. Pop your mug into the microwave and cook on high for 1 minute and 15 seconds. Your kitchen will start smelling like the holidays in no time!
6. Check if your cake is done by looking at the top – if it still looks wet, microwave it in 10-second bursts until it’s just set. Be careful not to overcook or it might get tough!
7. Let your mug cake cool for a minute or two before digging in – trust me, it’ll be molten hot straight from the microwave!
For an extra-special treat, top your gingerbread mug cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The warm spices with cold cream? Absolute perfection on a chilly day!
Pro Tips
For a richer molasses flavor, warm your molasses for 10 seconds in the microwave before adding it to your mug cake mixture – this makes it easier to incorporate fully with the other ingredients and intensifies the classic gingerbread taste.
Substitutions & Variations
This simple gingerbread mug cake recipe welcomes creative twists that maintain its warm spiced essence while offering new flavor dimensions.
- Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the all-purpose flour with an equal amount of gluten-free flour blend and add 1/8 teaspoon of xanthan gum for better texture.
- Vegan Adaptation: Replace butter with coconut oil, use plant-based milk and substitute molasses with maple syrup for a completely plant-based treat.
- Chocolate Gingerbread: Add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and fold in 1 tablespoon of chocolate chips before microwaving for a decadent chocolate twist.
- Orange Spice: Mix in 1/2 teaspoon of orange zest to the wet ingredients and substitute 1 tablespoon of the milk with orange juice for a bright citrus note.
- Maple Pecan: Use maple syrup instead of molasses and fold in 1 tablespoon of chopped pecans before cooking for added crunch and nutty flavor.
Leftovers & Storage Tips
While mug cakes are typically enjoyed immediately, you might occasionally find yourself with leftover gingerbread goodness that’s too delicious to waste.
Store any uneaten cake by covering your mug with plastic wrap and refrigerating for up to 2 days.
When you’re ready for round two, pop it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore that warm, spicy magic!
Tonight in 90 Seconds
Quick Gingerbread Mug Cake
A warm, spiced gingerbread cake made in a mug in under 2 minutes.
- 5 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- Pinch nutmeg
- Pinch salt
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tsp molasses
- ¼ cup milk
- Melt butter in a microwave-safe mug (30 seconds).
- Mix in molasses, milk, and sugar until combined.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt; add gradually to mug, stirring until smooth.
- Microwave on high for 1 minute 15 seconds; if wet on top, microwave in 10-second bursts until set.
