2 Minute Gingerbread Mug Cake
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This 2 Minute Gingerbread Mug Cake is a moist and boldly flavored cake, generously seasoned with molasses, cinnamon, and ginger. A cold-weather, holiday, cozy favorite to whip up in two minutes or less.
If you love single-serve desserts, this carrot cake mug cake brings warm spice and sweet carrot flavor in just minutes, and this pumpkin mug cake is one not to miss this season!
When the autumn leaves begin to change into brilliant colors, and the nights grow darker and longer, the oh-so-familiar scent of gingerbread isn’t far from my mind.
It’s cozy, and richly flavored… and even bold.
When the air turns chilly… there’s nothing like a gingerbread cake baking in the oven.
Unless… I don’t have time to bake that cake. Or… I just want a taste. An individual portion, for one… or two.
Maybe I want to curl up by a fire with a favorite book… or two. A cozy handknit throw on a cold-weather night.
In that case… I still want gingerbread.
But this time… in a mug. In 2 minutes!
Yep — two minutes.
Gingerbread Mug Cake
This Gingerbread Mug Cake, seriously, is as good as a traditional cake baked in your oven. Fresh, warm, and perfect for individual servings.
And easy enough that when I get the urge… say, in a few days… I have no compunction about making it again.
Or, if unexpected big people, like teenagers, wander in out of the cold on that evening by the fire… it’s no problem to make another.
How Many Servings Does this Recipe Make?
This recipe will make one mug cake.
When making multiples, which I do often, I increase the ingredients multiplied by the number of mugs I’m making. I then mix the batter in a small bowl, divide it evenly, and pour it into the mugs. Microwaving separately.
RELATED: 2 Minute Bread Pudding in a Mug
It’s not cold outside today as my fingers fly over the keyboard. A slight breeze sweetens the air through an open window on this autumn day. The sun is shining brightly. The trees are beginning are still turning.
And I’m enjoying that gingerbread, as I sit and talk to you… in gorgeous weather. No rain is needed.
It’s just that good!
Love cozy fall flavors? Try my microwave apple crisp or this easy apple mug cake next!
More Recipes to Try!
- Pumpkin Mug Cake (2 Minutes)
- 3 Minute Apple Mug Cake
- 2 Minute Fudgy Brownie in a Mug
- 2 Minute Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cake
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2 Minute Gingerbread Cake in a Mug
Ingredients
- 1 ½ tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- pinch of salt and black pepper
Instructions
- In a microwave-safe mug, microwave the butter until melted, about 30 seconds. Swirl around the sides of the mug.
- Add to the mug or separate bowl the sugar, milk, vanilla, and molasses; stir vigorously until smooth. Then stir in the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and black pepper until completely combined. You will want it to resemble a simple cake batter.
- Microwave the cake for 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds (90 seconds) depending on your microwave. Mine is done at 1 minute 15 seconds. Check to make sure it's done, top with a dusting of confectioners' sugar, ice cream, or whipped cream.
- Two minutes to amazing? Yes. You'll have to try it to believe it!
Notes
Gingerbread Mug Cake Tip
Be careful not to overbake in the microwave. Start testing at about 1 minute. Stir the mug cake thoroughly before microwaving.Topping Ideas
- Confectioners' sugar
- Ice cream
- Whipping cream
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
I’m eating this as I type. Utterly delicious. Had to fight my husband to keep him from stealing it, LOL
I was craving gingerbread and was amazed to find this great recipe. So scrumptious. The one thing I would say is be sure you mix all the batter from the bottom. I didn’t but it was only a little and like someone else said it. was a delicious piece of fudge. I want to make and EAT another. I’m trying not to.
Thanks so much for sharing.
That’s a great point, Ali! Stirring is super important in mug cakes. I love this one too and am always wishing for “one more bite!” 😍 Thank you for trying it and letting me know how you liked it!
I was craving gingerbread and was amazed to find this great recipe. So scrumptious. The one thing I would say is be sure you mix all the batter from the bottom. I didn’t but it was only a little and like someone else said it. was a delicious piece of fudge. I want to make and EAT another. I’m trying not to.
Thanks so much for sharing.
This is wonderful! When I make it again, and I will, I’ll add the 1/8 tsp ground cloves that Tova Mulligan used. Thank you for the recipe.
Hi Susan! I also love adding cloves. In fact, it’s one of my favorite spices!
This is great! I am the molasses lover in our family, and now I can make it anytime. I followed the recipe and it turned out perfect. I let the pepper to spice it up, and found the amount of molasses was right on the money. Thank you!
So glad you liked it!
This is great! I am the molasses lover in our family, and now I can make it anytime. I followed the recipe and it turned out perfect. I let the pepper to spice it up, and found the amount of molasses was right on the money. Thank you!
Made this last. night and it’s the first time one of my mug cake recipes didn’t work out. Using 1 1/2/Tbs, of butter seems to be the problem. I mixed the batter well and it looked it was supposed to. but when microwaved for 1. 1/2 minutes the butter was floating on top and the cake resembled a very underdone brownie. The flavor was terrific and I ate it like a piece of molasses fudge. 😉
Thank you for your comment, Terrie. I’ve made this many times but have never had mine turn out that way. I made it again last night and it turned out as expected. I’m so sorry you had trouble with it.
Thank you!! I used the brown sugar and it came out great!!!
Hi! This sounds yummy and I really want to try this but I don’t have any molasses, honey, or syrup of any kind. Any substitutions?
Thank you,
Darla
Hi Darla! I’m so sorry it took me until this afternoon to answer you back. I’ve been in meetings all day. I love the Gingerbread Mug Cake, but I’ve not tested it with substitutions. Dark corn syrup is the closest substitution for molasses as far as flavor. Maple syrup works too, or, you can swap the molasses for 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. It won’t be exactly the same… but it should be really good. Hope this helps!
Thank you!! I used the brown sugar and it came out great!!!
Yay! I’m so glad it worked and you like it. Thanks for letting me know!
I made it gluten free using cassava flour. And I add 1/8 tap of ground clove to give it a kick. I omitted the pepper. I love it! It tastes really good. 🙂
Hi Tova! Thank you SO much for posting your alternative flour! I love the adjustments you made as I’m also a huge fan of cloves.
I made it gluten free using cassava flour. And I add 1/8 tap of ground clove to give it a kick. I omitted the pepper. I love it! It tastes really good. 🙂
Just made this tonight. It’s delicious! Thanks for sharing. Took 1 minute & 30 seconds in my tiny microwave. Topped with some Maple Walnut ice cream. Yum!
Hi Chrissy! Oh my – your Maple Walnut Ice Cream is brilliant as a topping! Now I’m hungry 😍! I’m so glad you liked it!!
This turned out so delicious. I followed the recipe exactly. I wonder if those having trouble with the ingredients not being mixed enough are using too small of a mug so they can not stir the batter fully. I’m looking forward to trying your other mug cakes.
Thank you so much, Carolyn! I’m so glad you liked it. That mug cake is one of our favorites and your advice on the mug size was spot on and very helpful. Thank you!!
Just made this tonight. It’s delicious! Thanks for sharing. Took 1 minute & 30 seconds in my tiny microwave. Topped with some Maple Walnut ice cream. Yum!
Wondering how long to cook in the oven?
Really enjoyed this recipe!
Thanks!
This came out Perfectly!
Hi Kelley! Thanks for coming back to let me know! Love that one too!!