| | | | | |

2 Minute Lemon Mug Cake

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

When lemon cake’s delicate and bright flavors inspire you, satisfy those cravings with a quick and easy Lemon Mug Cake. It’s a delicious solution with simple ingredients and 2 minutes in the microwave for a bright, zesty spring treat!

Side top view of Lemon Mug Cake in a white mug with slices of lemon and whipping cream.

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email, and we’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get delicious new recipes from us every Friday!

Save Recipe

When you want to curl up in a light spring blanket with a warm lemon cake and dream of cherry blossoms and Easter and all things bright and beautiful, treat yourself to a lemon mug cake.

You’ll be glad you did!

Lemon Mug Cake Inspiration

When cherry trees begin to hint at the beautiful pink blossoms to come, lemon flavors capture my imagination.

It might be that Easter is just around the corner, along with warmer days and hopefully clear blue skies in Seattle. It’s on these days when light, brightly flavored treats come to mind.

This year, when beginning to think about spring desserts, lemon cake was at the top of my list. I then began to wonder… why couldn’t you also make a lemon cake for one?

In two minutes. In the microwave?

Many tries and testing answered that question. You absolutely can make a lemon cake in two minutes in the microwave… and it’s delicious!

And it satisfies those lemon cravings… for the moment 🍋!

If the spring season has you thinking about carrot cake, we have solutions for that craving as well. Be sure to look at my Carrot Cake in a Mug recipe or the simple Easy Carrot Cake Loaf recipe. Both are delicious!

So here’s to a quick and easy spring treat with the delicate flavors of the season.

Enjoy!

Stephanie\'s signature
Top view of Lemon Mug Cake ingredients on a round wood board.

Ingredients for Lemon Mug Cake

You can find the ingredient measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here is the list of what you’ll need to make lemon cake… in a mug!

  • Melted butter for flavor and moisture
  • Milk: Dairy or nondairy, both work well
  • All-purpose flour: If using self-rising flour, eliminate the baking powder
  • Baking powder for rise
  • Lemon: Fresh lemon juice makes this mug cake even more delicious. And if you want to elevate the lemon flavor even more, add a bit of the zest as well.
  • Powdered sugar: While you can use granulated sugar, I love the delicate texture of powdered sugar in this cake. Add a splash of vanilla, too.
  • Toppings: A dollop of whipped cream is delicious on top, as it is vanilla ice cream or simply a dusting of powdered sugar.
  • Optional: Adding 1 drop of yellow food coloring enhances the color.

How to Make Lemon Mug Cake

Full step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but this is a quick overview of how to make this oh-so-delicious lemon mug cake.

1

Melt butter

In a bowl or a mug, melt butter in the microwave.

2

Make the lemon cake batter

Whisk milk, lemon juice, and vanilla in a small bowl with the melted butter. Then, whisk in flour and baking powder until well mixed.

Top view of unbaked Lemon Mug Cake in a white mug.
3

Microwave mug cake

Microwave on high for 1 to 1 and 1/2 minutes (90 seconds). The timing of the mug cake will depend on the size of your mug and your microwave. Be careful not to over-microwave. The top will be just set. In my microwave, it is perfect at 1 minute 10 seconds.

Top view of Lemon Mug Cake with whipped cream and a twist of lemon.

Let the mug cake cool slightly before eating. Top with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or simply a dusting of powdered sugar (or make a quick glaze with powdered sugar and water). Top with a sliced lemon for a fancy touch.

Mug Cake Pro Tips

  • While you can mix the ingredients in the mug, I find blending the ingredients in a separate bowl results in the best mug cake.
  • Be sure to mix the ingredients well. Much like a traditional cake, begin with the wet ingredients, whisk well, and then fold in the dry ingredients until incorporated.
  • Don’t over-microwave the mug cake; it can become overdone quickly.
  • Let the mug cake cool before enjoying it; it’s super hot when it comes out of the microwave. Topping like ice cream helps cool it down quickly.

Lemon Mug Cake FAQ and Tips

What size mug are you using in this recipe?

I’m using a 12-ounce mug. You can measure the size of your mug by filling it with water, pouring it into a glass measure, and converting it to ounces. Be sure the mug you’re using is microwave-safe.

Can I make more than one mug cake at a time?

Yes, you can easily double or triple this recipe to make multiple servings. Adjust the quantities of each ingredient accordingly and divide the batter evenly among individual mugs before cooking. Remember that you may need to increase the cooking time slightly for larger batches.

Can I make this mug cake ahead of time?

Mug cakes are best enjoyed fresh, straight out of the microwave. You can prepare the dry ingredients in advance and store them in airtight containers, then mix the wet ingredients, and cook the mug cake just before serving for the best taste and texture.

How do I know when the mug cake is done cooking?

Cooking times may vary depending on your microwave’s wattage, but a good rule of thumb is to cook the mug cake in 30-second intervals and check for doneness after each interval. The cake is done when it has risen and appears set on top.

Side view of Lemon Mug Cake with a bite missing.
Side horizontal view of lemon mug cake in a white mug with a twist of lemon and a small gold spoon.

2 Minute Lemon Mug Cake

Satisfy your lemon cake cravings with an easy Lemon Mug Cake recipe. Quick, delicious, and perfect for a bright and zesty spring treat!
4.5 from 8 votes
Print Pin Save
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 2 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Author: Stephanie Wilson

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter melted
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest optional for more intense lemon flavor
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • dash salt
  • splash vanilla extract
  • yellow food coloring optional

Instructions

  • In a 12-ounce mug, melt the butter in the microwave for a few seconds. Once melted, swirl it to coat the sides of the mug and transfer it to a small bowl.
  • Add the milk, lemon juice, and vanilla into the small bowl with the melted butter and whisk together.
  • Stir in the flour and baking powder. Stir well until completely mixed (I like to use a whisk).
  • Microwave on high for 1 minute to 1 1/2 minutes (90 seconds). The timing of the mug cake will depend on the size of your mug and your microwave. Be careful not to over-microwave. The top will be just set. In my microwave, it is perfect at 1 minute 10 seconds.
  • Let it cool for a minute before eating. Top with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or simply a dusting of powdered sugar (or make a quick glaze with powdered sugar and water). Top with a sliced lemon for a fancy touch. Enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 210mg | Potassium: 118mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 413IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 108mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Tried this recipe? Pin it Today!Follow me on Pinterest for more and use the "Pin" button at the top of the recipe card.
Course: Mug Cakes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: lemon microwave cake, lemon mug cake

More Mug Cake Recipes

Save this and pin it for later!

Make sure you don’t lose track of this recipe by pinning it for later! If you are not already you can follow me on Pinterest, as well as keep up with me on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. If you make this recipe, I would also love it if you’d tag me in your photos and leave a star rating below!

4 Comments

4.50 from 8 votes (6 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating