The Great British Bakeoff Quickie 5Minute Snickerdoodle Cake

My Secret 5Minute Snickerdoodle Mug Cake Recipe Proper Pudding

By Nadia RiversOctober 6, 2025

Table of Contents

Finding Joy in the Five Minute Fix

Okay, hands up if you sometimes need a truly comforting Quick Easy Dessert For One ? I know I do, especially when the day has been long and I need comfort food stat .

Forget tedious baking and washing up a million trays. We are diving into the ultimate Snickerdoodle Mug Cake Recipe . It brings that perfect, buttery, tangy flavour without the fuss.

This is the perfect treat when you need a little lift.

Honestly, who has the energy for a whole batch of cookies after a busy afternoon? This Dessert In A Mug Recipe is a total game changer.

It’s pure Snickerdoodle cookie flavour cake magic, and it is ready in roughly five minutes flat. It is like a proper, warm British pudding, but cooked with lightning speed.

You absolutely will nail this; it’s one of the Really Easy Things To Bake . I learned quickly that the secret to nailing that cookie taste is the acid.

That subtle, tangy hit is all thanks to the small amount of cream of tartar mug cake element we use.

It makes it taste exactly like the classic biscuit.

Why This Single Serve Dessert Lightning Fast is Your New Best Friend

This recipe isn't just about speed. This is truly one of the Good Simple Desserts you can rely on completely.

It’s the ideal Single serve dessert lightning fast when that specific, late night sweet craving hits. Plus, the portion control is sorted! No more accidentally eating an entire tray of biscuits, you know?

The total prep and cook time is around 5 minutes. That means you are less than 300 seconds away from warm, spiced goodness.

Seriously, it’s a genuine 5 minute pudding recipe you can count on. We even swirl that lovely cinnamon swirl microwave treat right on top for extra texture.

It is warm, gooey, and utterly heavenly.

I remember once trying to bake full Snickerdoodles at 10 PM. It took forty minutes and the house was a mess.

Never again! Now, I grab a mug and I’m sorted. Are you ready to ditch the complicated recipes? Let’s grab the basics.

You likely have most of these bits and bobs in your cupboard already.

Gathering Your Kit for a Single Serve Dessert Lightning Fast

Honestly, the best thing about this Snickerdoodle Mug Cake Recipe is that you don't need to raid the entire baking cupboard.

This is a genuinely 5 minute pudding recipe . We are aiming for maximum Snickerdoodle cookie flavour cake goodness with minimum fuss.

When I first started experimenting with mug cakes, I wasted so much flour trying to get the ratios right! The key, I promise you, is precision.

Mug cakes are finicky little things, but if you measure properly, you get a beautiful Quick Easy Dessert For One .

The Essential Pantry Staples (and the Snickerdoodle Secret)

Right, grab your ingredients. Since this is a Dessert In A Mug Recipe , measurements are super important. If you’re anything like me, you often skip measuring spoons don't do that here .

That is how you end up with a cake that tastes like sad, dry rubber. We need 4 Tablespoons of plain flour (that’s about 60g ) and 3 Tablespoons of sugar ( 45g ).

Now for the secret weapon, the reason this tastes exactly like a proper Snickerdoodle: the cream of tartar mug cake hero ingredient! You only need a tiny amount: 1/8 teaspoon (0.

5g) . This acid reacts with the baking powder, giving you that lovely tang and the signature soft, chewy crumb. For the wet ingredients, grab 2 Tablespoons (30g) of melted butter and 3 Tablespoons (45ml) of whole milk.

Use proper butter, honestly. It makes a huge difference to the flavour and moisture.

Spice and Swirl Notes for That Cinnamon Magic

This cake absolutely requires that proper cinnamon swirl microwave treat feeling. To make the topping, simply mix 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon in a small bowl.

This spice combo goes on top and swirls through, giving you those warm, cosy, hug-in-a-mug vibes. This step is what elevates this little bake into Good Simple Desserts territory.

If you’re out of vanilla extract, don't worry too much, but that 1/2 teaspoon really sharpens the flavour.

Equipment: Really Easy Things To Bake

You don’t need a fancy stand mixer or a professional whisk. That’s the beauty of Really Easy Things To Bake .

Honestly, just a fork and one big mug. That’s it! Make sure your mug is microwave safe, obviously. I always use my massive 14 oz mug the wider, the better.

Why? A wider mug means the heat hits the batter more evenly. This prevents that terrible outcome of having a raw middle and burnt edges.

If you're looking for Desserts For One Microwave , this is the simplest setup possible. Just one mug, minimal washing up.

That’s how you get a Single serve dessert lightning fast .

Getting Started: Setting Up For Speed

Oh my gosh, I love this recipe because it’s the ultimate single serve dessert lightning fast . Honestly, if you can wait five minutes, you can have a warm, fluffy Snickerdoodle cookie flavour cake .

But listen, even though this is a quick easy dessert for one , a tiny bit of organisation makes a huge difference.

Before you melt the butter or even think about turning on the microwave, get your ingredients ready. This is your essential mise en place.

Mug cakes go from zero to cooked faster than you can find a clean tea towel. You don't want to be scrambling for the baking powder while the butter is scorching, you know?

First things first: Grab that small bowl. Mix your 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for the signature topping.

Set it aside. This simple step prevents the frantic search for spice later. Seriously, having that cinnamon swirl microwave treat mix ready is half the battle.

The Five Minute Magic Trick

Right, let’s make a proper dessert in a mug recipe . This is one of those really easy things to bake that feels totally decadent.

Dry Run: Dump all your dry bits the 4 tablespoons of flour, 3 tablespoons of sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder, and the essential 1/8 teaspoon of cream of tartar mug cake powder straight into your mug. Whisk that lot with a fork. You need zero lumps.
Get Wet: Melt the 2 tablespoons of butter (I use the microwave for this, naturally) and let it cool for 30 seconds . Add the butter, 3 tablespoons of milk, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the mug.
Mix Gently: Stir until just combined. I mean it. If you overmix, you’ll activate the gluten too much, and we'll end up with a rubbery doorstop, not a good simple dessert .
Swirl Power: Take two-thirds of your cinnamon sugar mix and sprinkle it over the batter. Now, use the fork to drag it through just once or twice. We want ribbons, not full incorporation. Sprinkle the rest of the mix right on top. This is the ultimate 5 minute pudding recipe experience.

Pro Tips: Avoiding the Mug Cake Meltdown

The only way to mess up this Snickerdoodle Mug Cake Recipe is by overcooking it. Trust me, I learned this the hard way after many experiments trying to perfect desserts for one microwave style.

I once left one in too long and it looked like a sad, dry sponge.

Mind the Clock, Mate: The sweet spot for a gooey centre is 60 seconds on high power (for a standard 1000W machine). If you have a less powerful microwave, maybe try 70 or 75 seconds. The key visual cue? It should look set, slightly sticky on top, and will have puffed right up. If it still looks wet in the middle, give it just another 10 seconds .
The Secret Tang: If you want the full-on classic tangy flavour that makes the best Snickerdoodles, you absolutely must include that tiny bit of cream of tartar . If you skip it, you just get a cinnamon vanilla cake which is fine, but not the authentic Snickerdoodle cookie flavour cake we're aiming for.
Rest is Best: Don't stab it immediately! After the ping, carefully pull the mug out. Let it rest for 1 minute before diving in. This minute is crucial for residual heat to finish the cooking, making sure it stays perfectly moist. Enjoy your quick easy dessert for one !

Serving It Up: The Full Snickerdoodle Mug Cake Experience

Right, now that you’ve totally mastered the lightning fast baking of this mug cake, let's talk about turning this quick fix into an event.

This Dessert In A Mug Recipe is already brilliant on its own. But honestly, why stop there? It’s the pinnacle of a Quick Easy Dessert For One .

The Glamour Shots and Goodies

Plating a single serve dessert is all about maximising the coziness. I mean, the whole point is that it is a mug cake.

Don't faff about trying to turn it out onto a plate. Grab a small spoon and eat it straight from the source.

The best way to make this look irresistible? Wait about 30 seconds after it rests, then drop a small scoop of good quality vanilla ice cream right on top.

The way it melts into the warm, spicy cake? Oh my gosh, that's pure heaven. It transforms this Desserts For One Microwave special into a proper fancy pudding.

For drinks, a strong coffee is the ideal companion to cut through the buttery sweetness of the Snickerdoodle cookie flavour cake .

Quick Fixes and Next Day Niggles

Saving Your Treat (If You Manage It)

Here's the brutal truth about mug cakes: they are designed for immediate consumption. They dry out fast. If you absolutely have half left and frankly, who are you? cover the mug tightly with cling film and refrigerate.

Reheating is tricky business. Use the microwave again, but only blast it for 15 seconds on 50% power. Any more, and you’ll end up with rubber.

Don't say I didn't warn you!

Customising Your Creation

The beauty of a basic recipe is the freedom to play around. This is one of those Really Easy Things To Bake that begs for variations.

I once found myself in a real spot of bother, desperate for this Snickerdoodle Mug Cake Recipe , but with no cream of tartar left! Total disaster.

Luckily, I remembered the chemical magic: you just need acid. If you run out, swap the 1/8 teaspoon of cream of tartar mug cake calls for with 1/4 teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice.

Same great tangy result! For those dodging dairy, oat milk is a fantastic substitute for whole milk. It keeps the cake perfectly moist.

Keeping It Real: Nutrition and Benefits

Look, this is not a salad. It is a decadent, warm, delicious treat. But here’s the win: portion control! Because it's a Single serve dessert lightning fast , it stops you from baking (and eating) a massive tray of cookies.

It satisfies that deep, comforting need for a warm Cinnamon swirl microwave treat immediately. It’s one of those Good Simple Desserts that focuses on quality over quantity.

At approximately 380 calories per serving, it’s a much smarter choice than ordering in. It’s a delicious, decadent reward ready in about five minutes flat.

Truly the ultimate 5 minute pudding recipe .

Go on, grab your spoon. You deserve this tiny slice of buttery, spicy joy. Job done.

Frequently Asked Questions

My cake came out rubbery! Did I muck it up, and how do I get that perfectly moist crumb?

It sounds like you might have overcooked it, which is the bane of all mug cakes! Microwave wattage varies wildly, so if you have a powerful machine (like 1000W), start with the minimum time (60 seconds) and check every 10 seconds thereafter.

The key is to look for a cake that is set but slightly sticky on top not dry and allowing it to rest for one minute after cooking helps finish the job and locks in that lovely, moist crumb.

Why do I need cream of tartar for this Snickerdoodle Mug Cake Recipe, and what if I haven't got any in the cupboard?

Cream of tartar is absolutely vital for the authentic experience of this Snickerdoodle Mug Cake Recipe! It provides the unique, slightly tangy flavour characteristic of the classic cookie, and it also acts as an acid to give the cake a proper lift and a delicate texture. If you’re really in a spot of bother without it, you can substitute with 1/4 teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice, which will provide the necessary acid, though the signature tangy flavour may be slightly less pronounced.

I'm watching the calories; can I reduce the sugar or make this recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely, you can make some smart swaps! For the dairy, full fat oat or almond milk works a treat, and you can substitute the butter for a neutral oil like canola, though you’ll sacrifice some of the rich, buttery flavour.

To reduce the calorie count, try using a sugar substitute like erythritol for half of the granulated sugar, but remember that sugar is essential for moisture retention, so swapping too much can result in a tougher cake.

Can I batch prep the mixture, or save any leftovers once it's baked?

Sadly, mug cakes are designed to be a quick indulgence and are best enjoyed straight away; they tend to go stale and dense very quickly once cooled, making them quite grim the next day definitely not a proper pudding anymore!

While you shouldn't bake ahead, you can mix all the dry ingredients and store them in an airtight jar for a few weeks. This means when the craving hits, you only need to add the wet ingredients and pop it in the microwave job done in under five minutes.

I fancy something a bit more substantial; what are the best serving suggestions?

For a truly decadent experience, serve the warm cake immediately alongside a small scoop of high-quality vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of clotted cream the cold contrast is divine.

Alternatively, if you want to keep the Snickerdoodle vibe strong, a generous drizzle of salted caramel or a sharp lemon glaze works wonders. And don't forget the required partner: a proper hot cuppa of tea or coffee!