This Sugar Cookie in a Mug recipe uses just a few simple ingredients and 'bakes' right in the microwave. The recipe makes one mug cookie so it's perfect for a single serving dessert. Mix in your favorite sprinkles for a festive, sweet treat!
Making a microwave mug cake is the perfect treat! Some of my other favorite mug cake or cookie recipes are this Coffee Cake Mug, Molten Chocolate Cake Mug, Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug, and this 3-Ingredient Nutella Mug Cake.
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Why I love this Recipe
- Ready in Minutes - It takes only a minute to mix up the sugar cookie 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.
- Sugar Cookie Flavor - The texture of this recipe is going to be softer and chewier than a cookie baked in the oven but the flavor is just like your favorite sugar cookie!
Ingredients Needed
- Butter - I used unsalted butter, but you can use salted butter an omit the added salt
- White Granulated Sugar
- Salt - The tiniest pinch of salt helps add flavor and contrast the sweetness
- Egg Yolk - I love to save the egg white and use in my breakfast the next morning
- All-Purpose Flour
- Vanilla Extract
- Sprinkles - optional, but I think they add a fun flair!
Step by Step Instructions
Making a microwave sugar cookie in a mug takes only a couple of minutes and is perfect to satisfy your sweet tooth!
- Melt Butter - In a mug, melt the butter in the microwave.
- Add Remaining Ingredients - Add the sugar to the melted butter and stir to combine. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract - stir to combine. Then stir in the flour, salt, and sprinkles.
- Microwave - Microwave the mug until the cookie is rising and just set. I like to start at 40 seconds and continue in 5 second intervals until done.
- Enjoy - Let cool a couple of minutes and enjoy! The mug cookie is best enjoyed right away, it will dry out faster than regular oven-baked cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is written for one sugar cookie in a mug, but you can easily double it to make two! You can mix them up separately in two mugs or mix up the cookie dough and divide between two mugs. It's best to microwave them separately, though.
Any standard size coffee mug works! I used mugs that were at least 8 ounces to leave room for the cookie to puff up and rise while 'baking'. The most important piece is to use a mug that is microwave safe!
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 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 cookie.
If you want to make this sugar cookie mug without butter, you totally can. While I think butter adds a flavor that can't be replicated, I have tested this using 1 tablespoon of oil and it works just fine. I prefer using a neutral oil, like canola oil, so the flavor isn't overpowering. I also add a smidge more vanilla to add a little extra flavor to make up for the lack of butter.
Recipe Tips
- Don't Over Cook - To make sure your mug sugar cookie 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.
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PrintRecipe
Sugar Cookie Mug
This Sugar Cookie in a Mug recipe uses just a few simple ingredients and 'bakes' right in the microwave. The recipe makes one mug cookie so it's perfect for a single serving dessert. Mix in your favorite sprinkles for a festive, sweet treat!
- Prep Time: 4 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Microwave
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons white granulated sugar
- Small pinch of salt - omit if using salted butter
- 1 egg yolk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ - 1 teaspoon sprinkles. Optional.
Instructions
- Melt Butter - In a mug, melt the butter in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
- Add Remaining Ingredients - Add the sugar to the melted butter and stir to combine. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract - stir to combine. Then stir in the flour, salt, and sprinkles.
- Microwave - Microwave the mug until the cookie is rising and just set (40 seconds to 1 minutes). I like to start at 40 seconds and continue in 5 second intervals until done.
- Enjoy - Let cool a couple of minutes and enjoy! The mug cookie is best enjoyed right away, it will dry out faster than regular oven-baked cookies.
Notes
Mug Size - Any standard size coffee mug works! I used mugs that were at least 8 ounces to leave room for the cookie to puff up and rise while 'baking'. The most important piece is to use a mug that is microwave safe!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mug
- Calories: 344
- Sugar: 26.5 g
- Sodium: 2336.1 mg
- Fat: 16.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 45.2 g
- Fiber: 0.6 g
- Protein: 5.2 g
- Cholesterol: 215 mg
Ellie says
this was pretty good! I didn't have any regular granulated sugar in the house, so I used powdered sugar. big mistake. it tasted really dry. I went to the store the next day and bought some granulated white sugar, out on my grocery run. 10x better with granulated sugar. also, I would recommend putting just a bit more butter so that the cake stays moister for longer!
Kathleen Hansen says
Glad it worked for you once you used granulated sugar! Thanks for the comment! My other tip for keeping it moist is making sure not to overcook in the microwave. Better to take it out 5 seconds too early than 5 seconds too late. I have lots of mug cake recipes on the site that you might enjoy as well 🙂
Jean B says
Hi! I was wondering if you’ve tried cooking it in an oven? I don’t own a microwave and im not sure what temp and time for baking.
Kathleen Hansen says
Hi Jean. I haven't tested this recipe in the oven, but this feedback is helpful! I'll keep this in mind for future recipe testing. Thank you!
haley says
do you have any substitutes for vanilla extract?
Kathleen says
Hi Haley! The vanilla extract is pretty important to give the mug that classic 'sugar cookie' taste. However, you could swap in something else for a different flavor spin - such as almond extract or some lemon zest and a tiny bit of lemon juice.
Sarah says
I’ve made this twice now. It is so yummy! A go-to when I need a quick sweet. Thank you!
Kathleen says
I’m so glad to hear that! Thank you for your comment, Sarah.
chahinez @lifestyleofafoodie says
I love anything made in a mug. I wish I knew about this during my college days.
Kathleen says
Right?! Mug cakes are perfect for dorm room cooking!
Robin says
Love this recipe—so easy AND delicious!!!
Kathleen says
Yay! I'm glad you liked it. Thank you for your comment 🙂
gabby says
do you have any suggestions for butter alternatives? thank you!
Kathleen says
Hi Gabby! Great question. I have not tested this with any alternative. You could try substituting a different fat (such as an oil or melted butter substitute, margarine, etc.). As long as you have 1 tablespoon of a fat, the texture should still work out (be aware that some 'plant butters' and spreads have a higher water content vs being 80% fat like butter). The biggest difference will be the flavor - since it's hard to replicate the flavor of butter. I would use your best judgement. But if you give something a try, let us know! I'm adding this question to my recipe testing list as well 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
gabby says
thank you!!!!
Kathleen says
I tried this out using 1 tablespoon of canola oil and it worked great! Good texture and it's a neutral oil so it wasn't overpowering. I added a smidge more vanilla (a heaping 1/4 teaspoon) to make up for the lack of butter flavor. Thanks again for your question!