Snickerdoodle Mug Cake

This Snickerdoodle Mug Cake is light, fluffy, and ready in under five minutes! The warm melted cinnamon paired with the buttery cake is unmatched in flavor. Officially our favorite mug cake recipe.

Be sure to try some of my other cinnamon and sugar recipes like my Snickerdoodle Blondies and Snickerdoodle Latte!

What Makes This Recipe a Win

• Five Minute Dessert: This recipe, from start to finish, takes less than five minutes to whip up!
• Single Serve Treat: Cake for one? Yes, please! This is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth without making an entire cake.
• Family Favorite: We’ve made many mug cakes, but this one is by far our favorite!

This snickerdoodle mug cake is pure cinnamon-sugar comfort in under five minutes. It’s soft, buttery, and has that classic snickerdoodle tang, all without turning on the oven. Perfect for late-night cravings or when you need a quick treat that feels homemade without the mess.

I’ve tested a lot of mug cakes over the years, but this one? It’s the one I keep coming back to. The texture is spot on, the flavor is nostalgic, and the ingredient list is simple (we’re talking pantry staples). When a recipe earns a permanent spot in my personal stash, you know it’s good.

Before You Start

This is what I like to call a life-changing recipe. It is so stinken simple to make and uses mostly kitchen items you already have on hand! If you love cake like I do, you HAVE to try this recipe. Here is a quick look at what you will need:

• Flour: All-purpose or self-rising flour will work best. If you opt for the later be sure to adjust the baking powder as needed.
• Granulated Sugar: Just a touch to give your cake that added sweet finish as well as a sprinkle on top.
• Cinnamon: You can’t have a snickerdoodle without cinnamon!
• Baking Powder: Be sure to double check the expiration date. Leavening agents tend to sit in the pantry far too long and start to go bad. Pick up a fresh box if you aren’t sure how long you have had it open.
• Milk: Stick with 2% milk or higher. Low fat milk won’t give you quite the same texture.
• Butter: Ok, so technically you can substitute this for oil or applesauce. Will it work? Yes. Should you do it? In my opinion, no. Butter is key with cakes and gives you that perfectly fluffy and moist texture we’re looking for.
• Vanilla extract: Always opt for pure vanilla and not it’s imitation cousin. Imitation vanilla will leave a chemicals aftertaste.

Snickerdoodle Mug Cake Recipe

1. PREP: Mist the inside of your mug with baking spray to help keep the cake from sticking to the sides.
2. DRY INGREDIENTS: Add the flour, sugar, and baking powder and cinnamon to the mug. Gently whisk with a fork until combined, roughly 10 seconds.
3. MIX: Add the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir with the fork to fully incorporate, making sure to get the bottom of the cup.
4. SPRINKLE: Mix 1 tablespoon of sugar with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Sprinkle directly on top of the batter.
5. COOK: Microwave 45 seconds to 2 minutes, or until the cake has cooked fully.
6. ENJOY: Serve plain, with frosting, or topped with a scoop of ice cream.

Helpful Tools

• Mug: This recipe doesn’t need anything fancy, you can actually use almost any mug. But I really love this mug set (affiliate).
• Mini Whisk: Mixing the batter fully is key to a good cake. I love these mini whisks (affiliate). I also use them for hot chocolate, carnation, and even whipping eggs for scrambles.
• Baking Spray: You can use cooking spray, like avocado or Pam, but we prefer a baking spray (affiliate). They leave little to no flavor and let the cake flavor shine.

Recipe FAQs

Storage and Prep-Ahead Instructions

Mug cakes are meant to be enjoyed fresh, and this snickerdoodle version is no exception. The texture starts to change as it cools, so it’s best to eat it within minutes of cooking.

That said, you can prep the dry ingredients in advance! Just mix the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in a small jar or baggie. When the craving hits, pour into your mug, stir in the wet ingredients, and microwave. It’s the perfect shortcut for a 2-minute dessert win.

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