This Gingerbread Mug Cake recipe uses just a few simple ingredients (no eggs) and cooks in a mug right in the microwave. All the flavors of classic gingerbread is a fun single serving cake. I love topping this Christmas Mug Cake with whipped cream and caramel sauce.
If you love this gingerbread Christmas mug cake, you'll love some of the other mug cake recipes on this site. Some of my favorites are this Hot Chocolate Mug Cake, Sugar Cookie in a Mug, Microwave Chocolate Chip Cookie, and Molten Chocolate Cake.
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⭐Why I love this Recipe
- Ready in Minutes - It takes only a minute to mix up the gingerbread cake batter and then just a minute to 'bake' in the microwave
- Single Serving Dessert - I love making mug desserts when I'm craving something sweet but don't want to make a whole batch and this Gingerbread Mug Cake fits the bill!
- Festive - This is a perfect option for a Christmas mug cake!
🥘Ingredients
- All Purpose Flour
- Baking Powder
- Dark Brown Sugar
- Milk - I've tested with skim, 2%, and whole milk and all are great.
- Canola Oil - or another neutral oil like avocado oil
- Unsulphured Molasses - do not use blackstrap molasses as it is very bitter. You can also use molasses in this recipe for Single Serve Ginger Molasses Cookies.
- Spices: Ground Ginger, Ground Cinnamon, and Salt
- Optional Toppings: Whipped Cream and Caramel Sauce
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
🔪Step by Step Instructions
Making a gingerbread mug cake is easy and a perfect option for Christmas! Just mix up the batter in a mug and microwave.
Photo 1 - Add the dry ingredients to a microwave-safe mug.
Photo 2 - Mix in the wet ingredients to combine and make the gingerbread cake batter.
Photo 3 - Microwave cake for 45 seconds to 1 minute, until the cake is just set and cooked.
Photo 4 - Allow to cool slightly, top with whipped cream and caramel sauce and enjoy!
💭Recipe Tips
- Don't forget the toppings! - While this gingerbread cake is fabulous on its own. I highly recommend topping with whipped cream, caramel sauce, or both!
- Don't Over Cook - To make sure your mug cake stays soft, you don't want to over cook. I recommend checking it earlier in the cook time, because you can always microwave longer.
- Any Microwave Safe Dish Can Be Used - This recipe doesn't have to be made in a mug. You could use another dish like a ramekin or even small bowl - just keep in mind that using a different size may impact the microwave cook time.
👩🍳Recipe FAQs
If you cook the mug cake for too long in the microwave it can develop a tougher texture. It's best to microwave it for less time at first, then finish in 5 second increments to avoid over cooking.
If your mug cake is too wet after cooking in the microwave, it's likely just undercooked! Microwave it in 5 second increments until the consistency is right.
This recipe is written for one mug cake, but you can easily double it to make two! You can either mix them up separately. Or mix up together and then divide the batter between two mugs. It’s best to microwave them separately, though.
Because you eat the cookie right out of the mug, you do not need to grease. Although, if you want easier clean up you could spray with cooking spray before mixing up and cooking. I do not grease and instead just soak the mug in some warm soapy water for a few minutes before cleaning to remove any cooked on bits.
🍪Related Dessert Recipes
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PrintRecipe
Gingerbread Mug Cake
This Gingerbread Mug Cake recipe uses just a few simple ingredients (no eggs) and cooks in a mug right in the microwave. All the flavors of classic gingerbread is a fun single serving cake. Perfect treat for the holiday season. I love topping this Festive Mug Cake with whipped cream and caramel sauce.
- Prep Time: 4 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
- Category: Dessert, Cake
- Method: Microwave
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
- ¼ teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1 tablespoon Dark Brown Sugar
- 3 tablespoons Milk
- ½ tablespoon Canola Oil, or other neutral oil
- ½ tablespoon Dark Molasses
- ⅛ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Ginger
- Pinch of Kosher Salt
- Whipped Cream and Caramel Sauce, optional toppings
Instructions
- Make Batter. Combine all ingredients (except for whipped cream and caramel sauce) in a microwave-safe mug. Use a fork or small whisk to mix until smooth.
- Microwave. Microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute until just set.
- Cool and Enjoy. Allow to cool slightly, top with whipped cream and caramel and enjoy!
Notes
Mug Size - Any standard size (8 ounces or larger) coffee mug works! The cake will puff up slightly and rise as it bakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mug
- Calories: 271
- Sugar: 22.2 g
- Sodium: 174.9 mg
- Fat: 7.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 47.7 g
- Fiber: 1.1 g
- Protein: 4.8 g
- Cholesterol: 0.9 mg
Katie says
Loved the gingerbread flavor! Made as directed and it was great!
Chiffonade says
Triple the molasses, ginger, and cinnamon. I added a pinch of clove. Texture-wise (flour, baking powder ratio, mouthfeel) this is the most perfect mug cake I've made. I live alone and have made a ton of them and this one stands out.
Kathleen says
I'm glad you liked it!