Gingerbread Mug Cake (Vegan)
Satisfy that after dinner sweet craving with this delicious vegan Gingerbread Mug Cake that is an easy single-serve dessert for the holiday season. Each spoonful will melt in your mouth with warm spices and hints of molasses and ginger. Top with a dollop of whipped creamy or ice cream to finish off the perfect mini dessert.
One of my favorite flavors during the festive season is gingerbread! My mom always made a fabulous gingerbread cake with icing. This single serving dessert is one of my favorite mug cakes that tastes like traditional gingerbread but without all the dishes and work that comes along with the full-size dessert.
Check out this protein mug cake for another easy quick dessert!
Ingredients
Ingredient notes:
- All-purpose flour: A regular flour works great for this recipe, but you can use a gluten-free flour if needed. Use King Arthur’s 1:1 Gluten-Free Flour
- Plant-based Milk: Use whatever variation you have available such as soy milk, almond milk, or oat milk. I prefer a sweetened version for this cake.
- Spices: To get that “gingerbread spice” flavor, you will need ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground nutmeg
See recipe card for full ingredient list and quantities.
📝Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: In a microwave-safe mug, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.
Step 2: Add the vegetable oil, non-dairy milk, molasses, and vanilla extract to the mug. Mix well until the batter is smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Microwave the mug on high for 1 minute and 15 seconds (up to 1 minute and 30 seconds) or until the cake has risen and set in the middle. Cooking times may vary depending on your microwave, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
Let the mug cake cool for a minute before enjoying. You can optionally top it with a dollop of vegan whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, or a drizzle of maple syrup.
❓Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use maple syrup, agave nectar, or date syrup as a molasses substitute, adjusting the quantity to your desired sweetness.
Vegan whipped cream, a dusting of powdered sugar, a sprinkle of chopped nuts, or a drizzle of vegan caramel or maple syrup.
You can sub with oil such as vegetable oil, melted vegan butter, or melted coconut oil.
Pro Tips
- Feel free to add other ingredients to this mug cake such as chocolate chips or nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc)
- Make sure to use a microwave-safe mug. Mugs with metallic parts (gold or silver rim) are often not microwave safe.
- Top your mug cake with whipped cream or ice cream (my favorite topping).
How to avoid an overcooked cake:
▶︎It’s better to slightly undercook the mug cake and let it rest for a minute than to overcook it. Follow the instructions for cooking time and even consider cooking it for less time to be safe (some microwaves are stronger than others). The residual heat will continue to cook the cake a bit even after removing it from the microwave.
▶︎To determine if the mug cake is done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it’s ready. If there’s wet batter on the toothpick, it needs more time.
▶︎Placing a microwave-safe plate under the mug can help distribute heat more evenly, reducing the risk of overcooking.
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Gingerbread Mug Cake (Vegan)
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Equipment
- 1 large mug
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil or any neutral-flavored oil
- 3 tbsp non-dairy milk such as almond, soy, or coconut milk
- 1 tbsp molasses
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a microwave-safe mug, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.
- Add the vegetable oil, non-dairy milk, molasses, and vanilla extract to the mug. Mix well until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Microwave the mug on high for 1 minute and 15 seconds (up to 1 minute and 30 seconds) or until the cake has risen and set in the middle. Cooking times may vary depending on your microwave, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.Insert a toothpick in the center to check if its done. Your cake should be moist, fluffy, and luscious.
- Let the mug cake cool for a minute before enjoying. You can optionally top it with a dollop of vegan whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, or a drizzle of maple syrup.
Notes
- Make sure to use a microwave-safe mug. Mugs with metallic parts (gold or silver rim) are often not microwave safe.
- Feel free to add other ingredients to this mug cake such as chocolate chips or nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc)
- How old are your ingredients? Baking powder and baking soda lose their effectiveness over time. Check the expiration date on these ingredients and ensure they are fresh. Baking powder is good for 6 months- 1 year while baking soda can last up to 2 years in a cool dry place.
- You may have overmixed your batter. Only mix until there are no more lumps or flour.
Can I use a GF flour in place of traditional flour?
I have not tried it, but I’m sure you can ! I would use one that’s a 1:1 substitute – like King Arthur- https://shop.kingarthurbaking.com/items/gluten-free-measure-for-measure-flour
Stress eating is one of my escapes. I made this yesterday and loved how simple it was to make
Yes it’s so easy! Glad you enjoyed it Althea 🙂