Lemon Poppyseed Mug Cake for One – Bright, Zesty, and Ready in Minutes

Lemon Poppyseed Mug Cake for One is a sunny little dessert you can make in just a few minutes—no oven, no mixing bowls, and no sharing required. Soft, moist, and speckled with crunchy poppy seeds, this microwave mug cake delivers big lemon flavor in a cozy single-serving treat.

This recipe combines pantry staples with fresh lemon juice and zest to create a fluffy cake that cooks right in your mug. A quick lemon glaze drizzled over the top soaks into the warm cake, making every bite tangy, sweet, and totally satisfying.

Perfect for late-night cravings, quick desserts, or when you want “just a little something sweet” without baking a whole cake, this Lemon Poppyseed Mug Cake for One feels special but takes only minutes from start to finish.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Single-Serving Treat – Just enough cake for one, no leftovers (unless you want to double it!).
Fast & Easy – Ready in about 5 minutes from start to finish.
Bright Lemon Flavor – Fresh lemon juice and zest make it zesty and refreshing.
Soft & Textured – Fluffy cake with tiny crunchy pops from the poppy seeds.

Ingredients

For the Lemon Poppyseed Mug Cake:

• 4 tbsp all-purpose flour (¼ cup)
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 3 tbsp milk (any kind)
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil or melted butter
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp lemon zest (packed)
• ½ tsp poppy seeds
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract (optional)

For the Quick Lemon Glaze (Optional but Delicious):

• 2–3 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1–1½ tsp fresh lemon juice (enough to make a pourable glaze)

Instructions

Choose Your Mug
Use a microwave-safe mug that holds at least 10–12 oz (300–350 ml) to give the cake room to rise. Lightly grease the inside with a little oil or butter if you like easier cleanup.

Mix the Dry Ingredients
Add flour, sugar, baking powder, and a tiny pinch of salt to the mug.
Stir with a fork or small whisk until well combined and no lumps of baking powder remain.

Add the Wet Ingredients
Add milk, oil (or melted butter), lemon juice, lemon zest, poppy seeds, and vanilla (if using) to the mug.
Stir until the batter is smooth and everything is evenly mixed, scraping down the sides and bottom of the mug. The batter should be pourable but not too thin.

Microwave the Cake
Microwave on HIGH for 60–90 seconds, depending on your microwave.
Start checking at 60 seconds: the top should look set and spring back lightly when touched, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are okay).
If needed, microwave in 10–15 second bursts until done—don’t overcook or it can become dry.

Make the Lemon Glaze (Optional)
In a small bowl, add powdered sugar.
Stir in lemon juice a little at a time until you reach a smooth, pourable consistency.

Finish and Serve
Let the mug cake cool for 2–3 minutes (it will be very hot).
Drizzle the lemon glaze over the top, letting it soak into the warm cake.
Enjoy straight from the mug with a spoon, warm or at room temperature.

Nutritional Information

(Approximate for entire mug cake with glaze)

• Calories: ~330
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 13g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Sugar: 30g
• Fiber: 1g

Tips for Success

Use a Larger Mug – A too-small mug can cause overflow; give the cake room to rise.
Don’t Overcook – Mug cakes go from perfect to dry quickly; check early and add short bursts.
Adjust the Lemon – Add extra zest for more brightness or reduce the juice slightly for a milder flavor.
Glaze While Warm – Pouring the glaze over a warm cake helps it soak in and stay moist.

Why This Recipe Works

The combination of baking powder, milk, and oil creates a quick-rising batter that turns light and fluffy in the microwave. Oil (or melted butter) keeps the cake moist, while lemon juice and zest provide a strong citrus punch without curdling the batter. Poppy seeds add texture and a classic lemon-poppyseed look.

Because it’s cooked in the microwave, this Lemon Poppyseed Mug Cake for One comes together in minutes, delivering all the satisfaction of a homemade cake without the time, dishes, or commitment of baking a full-sized dessert.