Craving something sweet and cozy but short on time? This Caramel Roll in a Mug is the ultimate microwave treat! Soft, gooey, and ready in about 5 minutes. Made with simple ingredients and no yeast, it’s a quick dessert or breakfast treat you can whip up anytime a caramel roll craving hits. If you love easy treats like this, don’t miss my collection of 15-Minute Easy Desserts Anyone Can Make, perfect for when you want something sweet now! (I have a Butterscotch Pudding Caramel Roll you must try!)
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Dough: I love a good yeast roll, but sometimes I just want that cozy caramel roll flavor right now. This dough is my go-to shortcut, no yeast, no rising time, just a quick baking powder dough (make sure your baking powder is fresh!) that comes together in minutes. It’s soft, buttery, and the perfect base for the gooey caramel swirl.
- Butter: I used unsalted butter in this mug cake. But salted butter would work just as well, too!
- Filling: This rich cinnamon filling is made with melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. It’s a gooey, sweet center that melts right into the dough as it cooks. It’s the key to that classic cinnamon roll flavor in this quick microwave dessert. If using granulated sugar instead of brown sugar, it will work, but the filling might be a little less gooey and rich.
- Caramel Sauce: The warm caramel sauce takes this mug cake over the top, rich, buttery, and perfect for drizzling. You can use store-bought or try my homemade caramel sauce for an extra-special touch. Just be sure to warm it up before pouring it over the roll! Or use the simple confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar) glaze from my Cinnamon Roll in a Mug if you prefer a more classic icing.
How Do I Know When My Caramel Roll is Done?
The top of the caramel roll should look dry and slightly springy to the touch, not wet or shiny. A good test is to insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs, but no raw batter. If it still looks undercooked, microwave in 10-second increments until it’s fully cooked through but still soft and tender.
Tips For The Perfect Caramel Roll in a Mug
To make the best microwave caramel roll every time, follow these easy tips. Whether you’re new to mug cakes or already a fan, these tips will help you get soft, gooey, and delicious results every time. Then, you will want to try some of my other favorite mug cake recipes, like my Fudgy Mug Cake and Banana Mug Cake, too, just to name a couple!
- Use a microwave-safe mug: Choose an 8-ounce mug to give your roll enough room to expand without overflowing.
- Don’t overmix the dough: Stir just until combined to keep the dough light and tender.
- Roll gently: Be careful when rolling the dough to keep the filling inside and maintain the spiral shape.
- Watch the microwave time: Microwaves vary, so start with 90 seconds and add 10-second increments if needed to avoid overcooking.
- Check doneness with a toothpick: The top should be dry and springy; the toothpick should come out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs.
- Warm your caramel sauce: Heating the caramel makes it easier to drizzle and enhances the flavor.
Can I Make This Caramel Roll Ahead of Time?
This mug cake is definitely best enjoyed warm and fresh from the microwave. But if you want to prep ahead, you can mix the dough and filling, roll it up, and wrap it tightly in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready, just microwave as usual and drizzle with warm caramel sauce for the perfect quick treat.
How to Customize Caramel Roll in a Mug: Flavor Ideas & Tips
It’s so easy to personalize based on what you love or have on hand! Whether you want extra texture, a new spice twist, or a different topping, these simple substitutions and additions will make your quick dessert feel extra special. Here are some of my suggestions you could try:
- Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, or toss in raisins for sweetness and crunch.
- Instead of cinnamon, go for pumpkin pie spice, cardamom, or nutmeg to change up the flavor.
- Replace caramel sauce with a cream cheese glaze (like I used on my Raspberry Cream Cheese Sweet Rolls).
- Mix mini chocolate chips into the dough or filling for pockets of melty chocolate.
- Drizzle with maple syrup, honey, or melted peanut butter instead of caramel.
Mix and match any of these ideas to create your perfect caramel roll in a mug!
Can I Double or Triple This Recipe?
Since this is a single-serving mug treat, doubling or tripling the ingredients won’t work well in one mug. But, if you want to make multiple servings, it’s best to prepare each roll separately and microwave each one at a time. This ensures even cooking and the perfect soft texture every time.
How To Store a Caramel Roll in a Mug
This is best eaten fresh, but if you have leftovers, just cover the mug and keep it in the refrigerator for up to a day. Reheat in the microwave for about 15–20 seconds before serving.
Caramel Roll in a Mug
Ingredients
Dough
- ½ cup (62.5 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons whole milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Topping
- Caramel sauce, warmed
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter until a soft dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a clean, lightly floured surface. Gently press and shape it into a small rectangle, approximately 4 inches by 6 inches.
- In a separate small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir to form a thick paste.
- Spread the filling evenly over the dough rectangle, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Starting at one of the short ends, gently roll the dough into a cinnamon roll shape.
- Spray the inside of a standard microwave-safe mug (mine was an 8-ounce mug) with nonstick spray or grease with butter. Place the roll in the mug, spiral side facing up.
- Microwave on high for 90 seconds. If the dough still looks wet on top, microwave in 10-second increments until it looks dry and springy to the touch. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter.
- Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the roll and serve immediately.
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
This is so easy and SO good! It tastes like a real caramel roll but only takes a few minutes. The caramel on top makes it extra special.
Elizabeth
I was skeptical, but this is amazing!!! I want to add some pecans to mine next time for a pecan caramel roll vibe!
Stephanie
This recipe is perfect for just one caramel roll! Plus, it's so fast!
Bella
I thought this was too sweet, I might enjoy it without the caramel drizzle.
