Glaze Donut Mug Cake

Waking up to the smell of sweet glazed donuts is the best, but sometimes you want that treat without going all-out. This easy donut mug cake brings those bakery vibes to your kitchen in a snap, without dirtying a pile of dishes.

The first time I tossed this together, I woke up before work wanting donuts, and honestly, it tasted just like the real deal—with barely any mess to clean up after.

Tasty Ingredients

• Extra Milk: Just a splash makes your glaze smooth and easy to pour, especially if you use the same kind as in your cake
• AllPurpose Flour: This is the base—regular unbleached flour keeps your cake soft and light. Sifting makes it extra fluffy.
• Melted Butter: Brings the softness and rich flavor—go with real unsalted butter, not margarine, for best results
• Powdered Sugar: The key to that dreamy donut glaze; a quick sift stops any clumps
• Baking Powder: Makes the cake rise and come out light—make sure it’s fresh for the fluffiest texture
• Sugar: Fine cane sugar adds that perfect donut sweetness
• Vanilla Extract: A good dose of vanilla is what gives you that classic donut smell—try to use pure extract if you can
• Milk: Adds moisture and richness—whole milk gives the best results but any milk will work
• Extra Vanilla: Rounds out the glaze with that sweet old-school donut flavor—always best with pure extract

Simple How-To

Drizzle the Glaze:

Blend a tablespoon powdered sugar with a teaspoon milk and quarter teaspoon vanilla in a tiny bowl. Whisk until it’s just how you like it, thick or runny. Pour your glaze right on the warm cake for full flavor so it soaks in nicely.

Microwave:

Microwave your filled mug for about a minute and a half to two minutes. Watch close at ninety seconds—the top should feel bouncy and look set but still moist. Need more time? Zap it another 10 seconds and check.

Fill Your Mug:

Scrape the batter into a microwaveable mug (twelve ounces or bigger) and leave some room—about an inch—so it doesn’t spill over when cooking.

Add Dry Stuff:

Stir in a quarter cup of flour and a quarter teaspoon of baking powder—blend nice and smooth so there are no lumps. Don’t overmix or the cake won’t be soft!

Mix Up Wet Stuff:

In a medium bowl, blend three tablespoons milk, three tablespoons melted butter, two tablespoons sugar, plus half a teaspoon vanilla. Stir until most of the sugar is gone and it looks creamy. This gets you a super tasty base for your mug cake.

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Honestly, swirling the glaze on while it's warm is just the best. It soaks right in and tastes spot-on like a donut. My littlest always begs to lick the bowl after!

Storing Leftovers

This is at its yummiest right after cooking while still warm and fluffy. Need to stash it? Let it cool, wrap with plastic, and pop it in the fridge for up to a day. Heat it back up for ten to fifteen seconds and add more glaze if you want.

Easy Swaps

If you’re out of butter, use coconut oil or another mild oil to make it dairy-free. Almond or oat milk are totally fine too. Pure vanilla is the way to go—skip the fake stuff and it honestly tastes so much better.

Topping Ideas

Before adding glaze, toss on some sprinkles or cinnamon sugar if you want a fun twist. For dessert, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some fresh berries makes it fancy.

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Where It Comes From

This is a fun hack for the classic American yeast donut—keeps the sweet vanilla taste and texture, but skips all the frying. It’s a favorite for busy mornings or anyone craving something homey without the work.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How can I stop the cake from spilling over in the mug?

Don’t fill your mug all the way up with batter. Leave enough room on top for the cake to puff up without boiling over when microwaving.

→ What’s the mug cake’s texture like?

You’ll get a light, airy cake that tastes a lot like a soft donut. Drizzle the glaze on to add a gooey, sweet finish.

→ Is it okay to swap out all-purpose flour?

Of course! Try using gluten-free or whole wheat flour if you want, but your cake might turn out a little different in texture.

→ When is the mug cake ready?

The cake’s done once the top is firm and bounces back if you tap it gently. If there’s still runny batter, microwave it in small bursts until it firms up.

→ What toppings go well with this mug cake?

After microwaving, toss on extra glaze, sprinkles, or even cinnamon for a bit more fun and taste.