Blueberry Mug Muffin: One Warm Muffin in 2 Minutes

My sister texted me at 6:40 one morning asking if you could bake a muffin in a mug. I was standing at the counter with a cold cup of coffee, so I tried it right there. Two minutes later she had a warm blueberry muffin and I had a new breakfast habit.

This is a one-serving recipe. One third cup of flour, two tablespoons of sugar, a quarter cup of milk, and a quarter cup of blueberries go into a single mug. No mixer, no muffin tin, no oven.

The trick is knowing when to stop the microwave. Too long and you get a rubbery puck. I'll show you the cue to watch for.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Grease the mug

Butter or spray the inside of a microwave-safe mug. This is the step people skip, and it's the reason muffins stick and tear.

2. Whisk the dry ingredients

Add the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt to the mug. Whisk with a fork until no dry streaks remain.

3. Stir in the wet ingredients

Pour in the milk, melted butter and vanilla. Stir until the batter is smooth, scraping the bottom corners of the mug with your fork.

4. Fold in lemon and berries

Stir in the lemon zest, then gently fold in the blueberries. Try not to crush them, or the batter turns purple.

5. Microwave until puffy

Microwave on high for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. The muffin is done when the top looks set and puffed and a toothpick in the center comes out clean. If the middle still looks wet, add 15 seconds at a time.

6. Cool and finish

Let it sit for 2 minutes. Sprinkle sparkling sugar on top if you like, then eat it warm right from the mug.

Tips & Tricks

• Grease the mug with a little butter or nonstick spray before you start. The muffin slides out in one piece that way.
• Mix the dry ingredients in the mug first, then add the wet ones. It saves a bowl and the batter comes together smoother.
• Stop the microwave at 1 1/2 minutes and look. If the top is still wet and glossy in the middle, go in 15-second bursts.
• Let it cool 2 minutes before you eat it. The center finishes setting and you won't burn your tongue on a blueberry.

Variations

Almond version

Swap the vanilla for almond extract and keep the lemon zest. It tastes like a berry almond cake.

Frozen berry version

Use frozen blueberries straight from the freezer. Add about 15 seconds to the microwave time and check the center.

No lemon version

Skip the zest and add a pinch of cinnamon instead. It's a different muffin, but a good one.

How to Store Blueberry Mug Muffin

Frequently Asked Questions

Blueberry Mug Muffin: One Warm Muffin in 2 Minutes

A single fluffy blueberry muffin made in a mug in about two minutes in the microwave. Flour, butter, lemon zest and juicy berries, warm in minutes.

5 minPrep time2 minCook time9 minTotal1Servings

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Ingredients

• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• ¼ cup fresh blueberry
• sparkling sugar (optional)

Instructions

1. 1Grease the mug — Butter or spray the inside of a microwave-safe mug. This is the step people skip, and it's the reason muffins stick and tear.
2. 2Whisk the dry ingredients — Add the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt to the mug. Whisk with a fork until no dry streaks remain.
3. 3Stir in the wet ingredients — Pour in the milk, melted butter and vanilla. Stir until the batter is smooth, scraping the bottom corners of the mug with your fork.
4. 4Fold in lemon and berries — Stir in the lemon zest, then gently fold in the blueberries. Try not to crush them, or the batter turns purple.
5. 5Microwave until puffy — Microwave on high for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. The muffin is done when the top looks set and puffed and a toothpick in the center comes out clean. If the middle still looks wet, add 15 seconds at a time.
6. 6Cool and finish — Let it sit for 2 minutes. Sprinkle sparkling sugar on top if you like, then eat it warm right from the mug.

Cook's note: Use a microwave-safe mug and remember that wattage varies. The 1 1/2 to 2 minute window is a guide, so check the center and add time in short bursts.

Servings: 1

Cuisine: American

Course: Breakfast

RecipesCooker5 minutes2 minutes9 minutes