Gingerbread In A Mug (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Do you want the full flavors of a gingerbread cake without having to actually make one? Then this easy gingerbread in a mug is the perfect solution for the holiday season. It's full of warm spices, super moist and gooey, and comes together in less than 10 minutes.

Mug cakes became incredibly popular 10 years ago – and I'm not mad about it! They are perfect for sweet cravings that you want to satisfy within minutes. And to be honest, I would never have thought that you could make such an incredible mini gingerbread cake with oats and applesauce!

If you like mug cake recipes, you may also become a fan of baked oats. So here are two recipes for you to try: baked oats for one with chocolate chips and baked oats without banana.

Why you'll love this recipe

• Believe it or not, this gingerbread in a mug is healthy enough to be eaten for breakfast!
• It also makes the perfect healthy dessert or afternoon snack if you don't want it for breakfast.
• It's made with very simple ingredients and is naturally vegan and dairy-free. No eggs, butter, or all-purpose flour needed.
• This single-serving dessert is perfect if you need a dessert for just one or two people.

Key ingredients and substitutions

• Oat flour is the only flour needed for this recipe. If you don't have any, you can blend oats in a blender until a fine powder forms. Store leftovers in an airtight container.
• Gingerbread spices really bring this mug cake to life. I like to use a pre-made spice mix that contains ground ginger, ground cinnamon and nutmeg. You can make your own or substitute it with pumpkin spice.
• Almond butter replaces butter in this recipe while adding fat for texture purposes. Don't replace it with vegan butter or coconut oil. I've tried it and neither the texture nor the taste was satisfying.
• Applesauce really brings out that fluffy texture and naturally sweetens the cake. Don't leave it out, and don't substitute it. I've tried this recipe without applesauce and the cake was a lot denser and stickier.
• Non-dairy milk is needed to get the right cake batter consistency. I use unsweetened soy milk but almond milk works great, too.
• Maple syrup is my sweetener of choice here. You can substitute it with molasses for a more traditional gingerbread cake.

Elo's tips

1. Use a kid's applesauce pouch if you don't want to open a big jar of applesauce. make sure it's 100% apples, though.
2. Weight the ingredients if you have a scale. Small weight differences can have a big impact on such small-scale recipes.
3. Make the batter in a transparent bowl rather than the cup you'll bake it in. You'll be able to see through and make sure everything is well combined. If you make it straight in the cup, you may have leftover oats sitting at the bottom or sticking to the sides.
4. Make sure you're using a microwave-safe mug.
5. Don't overbake it. I found that a microwave time of 1 minute and 20 seconds on high (700W) was perfect in my microwave. Adjust the timing according to your microwave and its wattage.
6. Eat the cake straight from the mug. Don't try to unmold it.
7. Dig in when it's still warm. I find that the gingerbread cake tends to get a little drier as it cools down.

Step-by-step instructions

STEP 1: Combine the dry ingredients. Add the oat flour, spices, baking soda and a pinch of salt to a small bowl. Don't forget the salt, it makes all the difference.

STEP 2: Add in the wet ingredients. Pour the milk, applesauce, almond butter and maple syrup into the bowl. Use a small whisk to combine. Make sure there's no oat flour left at the bottom.

STEP 3: Transfer the cake batter to a coffee mug. No need to grease it.

STEP 4: Microwave on high for 1-1:30 minutes. I microwave mine for 1 minute 20 seconds at 700W. You may want to start with one minute if your microwave has a higher wattage.

How to know if a mug cake is done? Insert a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean, your gingerbread mug cake is done. If not, microwave again at 10-15 seconds intervals. Note that as it's a vegan mug cake, it will slightly deflate and that the top may still be a little sticky.

Watch how to make it!

Servings suggestions

• Non-dairy yogurt makes a great healthy topping. I like plain soy yogurt but vanilla-flavored yogurt would be delicious, too.
• Gingerbread cookies crumbled on top of the cake can be a great addition.
• A scoop of vanilla ice cream is the perfect way to make this gingerbread in a mug a little more indulgent.
• A drizzle of caramel is a good idea if you have a really sweet tooth.
• (Coconut) whipped cream and sprinkles or crushed candy canes would make the perfect Christmas mug cake.

Frequently asked questions