Indulge in the tangy and refreshing flavors of lemon with this delightful vegan lemon mug cake. Ready in just a few minutes, this single-serve, microwaveable treat is a quick and satisfying dessert option.
This recipe is perfect for times where you only want a single serving, or when you don’t want to heat an oven to cook a full cake. It’s super easy to make, so you’ll get to enjoy this refreshing and vibrant dessert or snack in just a few simple steps.
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Ingredients to Make Vegan Lemon Mug Cake
By combining a handful of simple ingredients, you’ll create a delightful citrus-infused treat that’s sure to impress. When making lemon mug cake, I like to use:
- Plant-based milk: Plant-based milk serves as a dairy-free alternative to traditional milk, ensuring that this recipe remains vegan-friendly. It provides moisture and a creamy texture to the mug cake.
- Granulated sugar: Sugar adds sweetness to the cake, balancing the tartness of lemon. It also helps to create a tender and moist texture in the final product. I haven’t tested this recipe with any other sugar/sweetener.
- Neutral-tasting oil: A neutral-tasting oil, such as canola or vegetable oil, adds richness and helps to keep the mug cake moist.
- Lemon juice: Lemon juice is the star ingredient that infuses the cake with its bright and tangy flavor. It provides a refreshing zing and adds a delightful citrusy aroma.
- Lemon zest: Lemon zest, the finely grated outer peel of the lemon, adds concentrated lemon flavor to the cake. It enhances the overall citrus profile and brings a fragrant essence to every bite.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract complements the lemon flavor by adding a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to the mug cake.
- Salt: Salt helps to enhance the overall taste of the cake for a well-rounded dessert.
- All-purpose flour: All-purpose flour is the main dry ingredient that gives structure and substance to the mug cake. It binds the other ingredients together and ensures a fluffy and tender texture.
- Baking powder: Baking powder acts as a leavening agent, helping the cake rise and become light and fluffy when cooked in the microwave.
Lemon Glaze (Optional)
If you want to take your microwave mug cake to another level, I highly recommend making a simple lemon glaze. This is optional, but it adds an incredible boost of flavor and sweetness. Plus, you’ll only need 2-3 ingredients to make it, including:
- Icing sugar: Icing sugar, also known as powdered or confectioners’ sugar, provides the base for a smooth and sweet mug cake glaze.
- Lemon juice: Lemon juice in the glaze enhances the lemon flavor and adds a tangy note. It creates a cohesive flavor profile between the cake and the glaze.
- Extra lemon zest: Additional lemon zest sprinkled on top of your glaze adds a vibrant pop of color and intensifies the lemony aroma. It’s optional but turns a simple mug cake into pure decadence!
How to Make Vegan Lemon Microwave Cake
In just a few minutes you’ll take all the simple ingredients mentioned above and have a fully cooked, ready-to-eat snack or dessert! It’s very quick and simple to prepare, just mix the batter, cook the mug cake in your microwave, then top with glaze if you want it!
Step 1: Prepare Mug Cake Batter
To begin, grab a large mug (ideally one that’s short and wide) and combine plant-based milk, granulated sugar, oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir until the sugar is well mixed into the liquid.
Next, add all-purpose flour and baking powder to the mug. Stir the mixture gently until a smooth batter forms. Scoop up from the bottom of the mug to make sure there are no dry clumps hiding beneath mixed batter on top. Be careful not to overmix; small lumps are okay.
Step 2: Cook Mug Cake
Place your mug in the microwave and cook the cake for approximately 1 minute and 20 seconds. Microwave times may vary, so keep an eye on the cake. It should look cooked on top and not resemble batter.
Once cooked, remove the mug from the microwave and let it sit for at least 1 minute. This resting time helps the cake finish setting and cooking through to its center. Remember, the cake will be hot even after a minute, so handle with care.
Step 3: Prepare Glaze (Optional)
While the mug cake cools, you can prepare a tangy glaze to enhance its lemony goodness. In a small bowl, stir together some icing sugar and lemon juice until you achieve a smooth consistency.
When the mug cake has cooled slightly and is ready to serve, drizzle some glaze over the top. For an extra burst of lemon flavor, sprinkle a dusting of lemon zest on top.
Vegan Variations for Your Lemon Mug Cake
Looking to modify this recipe to meet your unique tastes? Some of the easiest and most flavorful ideas I’d consider are:
- Blueberry Burst: Add a handful of fresh or frozen blueberries to the batter before cooking. The juicy blueberries will complement citrusy flavors perfectly.
- Coconut-Lemon Delight: Replace the neutral-tasting oil with melted coconut oil and add a tablespoon of shredded coconut to your batter. This variation adds a tropical twist to this mug cake.
- Poppy Seed Pleasure: Incorporate a half to one teaspoon of poppy seeds into the batter for a delightful crunch and extra flavor.
Additional Mug Cake Recipes to Try
If lemon mug cake isn’t exactly what you want, or some of the above variations are starting to inspire you towards something else, I also have great recipes for:
- Banana Mug Cake
- Apple Mug Cake
- Vanilla Mug Cake
- Chocolate Chip Mug Cookie
- Double Chocolate Mug Brownie
How to Store Mug Cake Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (although it’s a single-serve recipe so you’ll probably finish it all!), you can store the mug cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Or, simple cover the mug with plastic wrap before placing in the fridge.
However, for the best taste and texture, it’s recommended to enjoy the mug cake fresh, shortly after it’s been prepared.
If you make this recipe, please rate and comment below to help others benefit from your experience!
Vegan Lemon Mug Cake
Equipment
- Large mug
- Measuring spoons
- Small mixing bowl (optional)
Ingredients
Lemon Mug Cake
- 1 ½ tablespoons plant-based milk , I use soy (22 milliliters)
- 1 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar (22 grams)
- 1 tablespoon neutral-tasting oil (15 milliliters)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (15 milliliters)
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (30 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
Glaze (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons icing sugar (20 grams)*
- ¾ teaspoon lemon juice
- lemon zest , sprinkle to taste (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Mug Cake Batter
- In a large mug, stir together plant-based milk, sugar, oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla and salt.1 ½ tablespoons plant-based milk, 1 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon neutral-tasting oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, pinch of salt
- Once the sugar is well mixed into the liquid, add flour and baking powder.3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- Stir until a batter forms and there’s no clumps of flour remaining (especially at the bottom of the mug). Try not to overmix; a few small lumps are perfectly okay.
Step 2: Cook Mug Cake
- Microwave the cake for about 1 minute and 20 seconds (all microwaves are a bit different, but the top should look cooked and not like batter).
- Remove from the microwave and allow the cake to sit for at least 1 minute before serving – the cake needs time to finish setting/ cooking through to the center. The cake will be very hot even after sitting for a minute.
Step 3: Prepare Glaze (Optional)
- While the mug cake cools, you can prepare an optional glaze by stirring together the icing sugar with additional lemon juice in a small bowl.2 tablespoons icing sugar, ¾ teaspoon lemon juice
- Once ready to serve, drizzle the glaze over the mug cake. Sprinkle on extra lemon zest if desired.lemon zest
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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About Nicole Stevens
Nicole is a vegan Registered Dietitian (RD) and founder of Lettuce Veg Out.
She helps people thrive on a vegan diet with balanced recipes and easy-to-understand nutrition science.
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