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Home » Cake Recipes

Lemon Mug Cake

Published August 4, 2024 Last Modified August 4, 2024 By GreedyEats

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Bright and sweet Lemon Mug Cake that is made in microwave and is ready in under two minutes. Perfect Summer Treat in the form of a mug cake. You are sure to fall for it!

If you love Mug Cake Recipes, try this Moist and fluffy Chocolate Mug Cake next! You will also love this Banana Cake in a mug.

Lemon Mug Cake made with simple ingredients and topped with whipped cream.

Why you will love this recipe:

  1. It is literally summer served in a mug- bursting with bright and sweet flavor of lemon
  2. Turns out super light, soft and fluffy
  3. Very less utensils get dirty to make this cake
  4. Quick to make, hassle free treat and the clean up after is just a breeze too!
Ingredients like flour, lemon, sugar, milk, baking powder for mug cake.

Ingredients that you will need:

  • Lemon: You will need zest from one lemon and its juice as well. Make sure to add fresh lemon juice in your batter and not the one from bottle. Though lemon extract could be used here, I recommend adding fresh lemon zest. Now, since we are zesting the lemon, I prefer to use organic lemon. Wash it well and pat dry before zesting using a micro planer.
  • Oil: And flavorless oil can be added here. Coconut oil can be used as well. You could also use melted butter instead of oil. Oil, coconut oil and butter are all 1:1 substitutions.
  • Sugar: We are using granulated sugar to sweeten this cake.
  • Flour: All purpose flour is the base of this batter. However you can easily replace it with any gluten free flour of your choice.
  • Baking Powder: Use fresh baking powder for a perfect lift. You will need half a teaspoon of it.
  • Salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness.
Step by step instructions on how to make a lemon mug cake.

How to make Mug Cake?

  • Selecting the mug: Make sure to use a microwave safe mug to cook your cake in. Always use a good sized mug to allow room for cake batter to spread as it cooks.
  • Whisk wet ingredients together: You can directly whip up the cake batter in mug. Or make the batter in a bowl and transfer it to the mug then. I used my mug to whisk all the wet ingredients together. Now you can use a fork or a small balloon whisk to mix all the wet ingredients in. I also added lemon zest at this stage to allow the zest to release its flavor in the batter. 
  • Form the Cake Batter: Sift flour, salt and baking powder using a small sieve straight over the wet ingredients. Quickly fold the dry ingredients into wet and form cake batter.
  • Cook the Mug Cake: Microwave on full power till the cake is fully cooked. The center of cake will no longer be wet when  the cake is done cooking. You can test it by pressing its center slightly with your finger. It should spring back. You can also check the doneness of cake using a toothpick. It should come out clean when poked in the center.
  • Cake should be cooked in small increments as every microwave is a little different. Cook for about a minute and check. If the cake is still wet, cook in 15-20 second increments. This step will prevent your cake from getting over cooked.
  • Allow it to cool for 1-2 minutes. It will set and get a better texture during this interval. 
Lemon cake in a mug topped with whipped cream and lemon zest.

Topping for mug cake:

Top your cake with some whipped cream, ice-cream or dig right in! This one is a super moist and flavorful cake that doesn't need the crutch of a frosting!

Lemon Glaze: If you are still looking for a little something an got no cream or ice cream, you can make a lemon glaze. This glaze is an easy one! Just whisk 2 tablespoon of confectioners sugar with ½ teaspoon of lemon juice till combined. Top over cooled cake.

Lemon cake in microwave made in a mug topped with whipped cream.

Expert Tips while making a cake in microwave:

  1. To avoid a rubbery Cake: Don't cook mug cake in a very big mug and also don't cook it for too long.
  2. To avoid a gooey cake: You need to make sure that you are using fresh leaveners (baking powder and baking soda). These will make sure that your cake rise well. Replace them when they get expired. Under cooking the cake can also cause it to turn out gooey.
  3.  My mug cake is hard: If you over whip the cake batter after adding dry ingredients to wet, there are good chances that you will end up with a hard and dry cake. Fold in dry ingredients only till flour disappears into the batter.
  4. This cake is egg-free. You can easily make it vegan by adding vegan butter and any vegan milk of choice.

If you liked this recipe, please give it a star review! Also, tell me in the comments below, how did it turn out for you! How did your family or guests like it?

How did you personalize it? And don’t forget to share your wonderful creations with me on Instagram at #greedyeatsblog Let's be friends on Pinterest and Facebook too!

More Lemon Desserts to try:

Lemon Curd Cookie Recipe

Blackberry Lemon Muffins

Easy Lemon Dump Cake

Lemon Tartlets

Recipe

Lemon cake in a mug topped with whipped cream and lemon zest.

Lemon Mug Cake

Bright and sweet Lemon Mug Cake that is made in microwave and is ready in under two minutes. Perfect Summer Treat in the form of a mug cake. You are sure to fall for it!
4.44 from 16 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes minutes
Servings 1 Person
Calories: 226kcal
Author: Neha

Equipment

  • 1 10 oz Mug (microwave safe)

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon Oil/Melted Butter (any flavorless oil can be used, I used Avocado oil)
  • ½ teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
  • ¾ teaspoon Lemon Zest
  • 2 Tablespoons Milk (at room temperature)
  • 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
  • 4 Tablespoon All purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
  • a pinch Salt

For Topping:

  • 2 Tablespoons Whipped Cream
  • a sprinkle of lemon zest (totally optional)

Instructions

  • In a microwave safe mug add oil, lemon zest, lemon juice sugar and vanilla extract. Give it a quick mix.
  • Next add in milk and stir it in too. Now it's time to add all the dry ingredients. Make sure your flour is lump free or else quickly sift it. Add and fold flour, baking powder and salt in wet ingredients. You mug cake batter is ready.
  • Place mug in microwave and cook the cake on full power for 60 seconds. The cake must be cooked completely in the center. If it is still wet, cook it in 15 seconds increment. Once the toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, take the mug out of microwave.
    Be careful as the mug will be very hot. Make use of baking mitts. Allow the cake to cool down for a few minutes.
  • Top with whipped cream or your favorite topping like ice cream or a sweet lemon glaze. Sprinkle with lemon zest and dig in!

Notes

Selecting Lemon for Mug Cake: I recommend choosing an organic lemon since you will be zesting it too. For lemon juice, don't use the one from bottle. Fresh lemon juice will make all the difference here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Person | Calories: 226kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 14mg | Sugar: 26g
Tried this recipe? Pin it for later!Mention @greedyeats or tag #Greedyeats!
« Banana Mug Cake
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anonymous

    May 21, 2025 at 8:29 am

    5 stars
    Delicous!!

    Reply
  2. Nikki Wayne

    January 18, 2025 at 7:10 am

    I was really looking forward to try mug cakes at home but I was a little bit scared. Thanks for this recipe and after reading all the comments I feel at ease now.

    Reply
  3. knycx.journeying

    January 18, 2025 at 3:41 am

    4 stars
    This lemon mug cake recipe is wonderful ~ The use of fresh lemon juice for that zesty kick is perfect. Love how quick and easy it is to make , thanks for sharing

    Reply
  4. LisaLisa

    January 17, 2025 at 2:20 pm

    5 stars
    I've never had a mug cake before so this would be great to try out, and it looks delicious. All I need is a scoop of ice-cream. lol

    Reply
  5. Michelle

    January 17, 2025 at 5:45 am

    What a great way to have a quick and easy dessert without all the effort of making a big cake. Especially if it's just me at home and I want something sweet -- I need to try this!

    Reply
  6. Emily

    January 17, 2025 at 5:44 am

    I am OBSESSED with finding good mug cakes! They're perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth when you need a quick fix of sugar.

    Reply
  7. Caroline

    January 16, 2025 at 10:06 pm

    Lemon happens to be my favorite flavor in cakes, so I'm definitely making this recipe. Love how simple it is too.

    Reply
  8. Stacie Ki

    January 16, 2025 at 10:05 pm

    I feel like this is gonna be my new favourite addition to my morning coffee. I can’t wait to make this this weekend!

    Reply
  9. Beth

    January 16, 2025 at 6:05 pm

    5 stars
    A lemon cake for one sounds like the best thing ever! I can't wait to try this

    Reply
  10. Traci

    August 06, 2024 at 10:42 am

    5 stars
    Omgosh this recipe is going into my cake collection! Can't wait to serve it at my next gathering! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  11. Kelley

    August 06, 2024 at 9:31 am

    5 stars
    This was so good! So easy to make and so yummy!

    Reply
  12. Ned

    August 05, 2024 at 10:59 pm

    5 stars
    I made the Lemon Mug Cake, and it was a quick, zesty dessert that's perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth. So easy to make and delicious!

    Reply
  13. Gianne

    August 05, 2024 at 7:49 pm

    5 stars
    This Lemon Mug Cake is a burst of sunshine in a mug! It's incredibly easy to whip up and the perfect treat for a quick sweet fix. The lemon flavor is bright and refreshing, making it a delightful little indulgence.

    Reply
  14. Jason Otis

    August 05, 2024 at 7:19 pm

    5 stars
    Oh I love a good mug cake. This one was suuuuper tasty!! Thanks!

    Reply
  15. Vicky

    August 05, 2024 at 6:28 pm

    5 stars
    I tried this Lemon Mug Cake recipe today, and it was a hit! So easy to make and perfect for a quick treat. The lemony flavor is just right—not too tart, not too sweet.

    Reply

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