Gingerbread Cake for One (Quick Single‑Serve Dessert)

 

If you’re craving something warm, comforting, and perfectly spiced, this Gingerbread Cake for One is the little treat you’ll want to keep in your back pocket. It captures all the nostalgic flavors of classic gingerbread — molasses, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves — but in a quick, single‑serve cake that bakes up soft and fragrant in just minutes. No leftovers, no fuss, just a cozy dessert made exactly for the moment you need it.

This small‑batch gingerbread is ideal for small families, last‑minute cravings, or anytime you want the taste of homemade gingerbread without baking a whole pan. It’s simple, satisfying, and wonderfully delicious — the kind of recipe that makes your kitchen smell festive, even on an ordinary day.

Whether you enjoy it plain, dusted with icing sugar, with some warm lemon curd on the side, a dollop of whipped cream, or warm with a drizzle of single cream, this little cake delivers big comfort in every bite.

Cooking for one is often be a great challenge, especially if you want to keep things delicious and interesting, and when it comes to desserts that challenge is multiplied.  As one person (two with my daughter here) I don't necessarily want a ton of cakes, puddings, etc. hanging around in my house tempting me.  That's when things like mug cakes come in really handy.

Mug cakes cook quickly and in the microwave, making them ideal for warm weather cooking.  They also basically only make one or two servings, which makes them ideal for the smaller family.

I adore gingerbread. I think of all of the cakes out there that you can bake, a gingerbread cake is one of my favorites.  This Gingerbread Cake for one was just the right size for Eileen and I to share. It would have been the right size for one person, but we are watching our figures, or at least trying to.

It has a beautiful gingerbread flavor, every bit as spicy and delicious as a full sized cake would be. If I had to give any caution at all, it would be to keep an eye on it while cooking, and go for the lesser cook time so that it does not dry out.

This was fabulous dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of warmed lemon curd. Ginger and lemon are perfect flavor partners. Quick, easy and delicious works for me every time.

 

INGREDIENTS NEEDED

TO MAKE

GINGERBREAD CAKE FOR ONE

Simple store cupboard ingredients. 

• 3 TBS plain all-purpose flour
• 1 TBS soft light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 tsp powdered ginger
• 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 1/8 tsp grated nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 TBS molasses
• 1 TBS milk
• 2 tsp oil (can use any kind of oil you wish, coconut, canola, sunflower, etc.)
• 1/2 to 1 tsp icing sugar to dust on top
• warmed lemon curd to serve (optional)

 

NOTES ON INGREDIENTS

Do not use self rising flour. Plain all purpose flour is needed.

For a deeper molasses flavor you can use soft dark brown sugar, or muscovado sugar. If I was in the U.K. I would use muscovado sugar.

Do not use baking soda instead of baking powder.

In the U.K. you can use dark treacle or a combination of dark and light treacle. It all depends on how much molasses flavor you wish to have.

I used whole, full fat milk. You can use a milk substitute to keep this dairy free if you wish.

I used sunflower oil.

 

HOW TO MAKE GINGERBREAD CAKE FOR ONE

This really is very simple to make. You can be enjoying this delicious dessert for one in less than five minutes all totaled.

1. Butter a 4 ounce baking cup really well. Set aside. (You can also use a non-stick cooking spray.)
2. Whisk the flour, baking powder and all of the spices together in a bowl along with the brown sugar. Mix to combine well together. (I use a wire whisk for this and really make sure everything is evenly mixed.)
3. Add the milk, molasses and oil. Mix everything well together until smooth. (Again I use my small wire whisk.)
4. Pour into the prepared baking cup. (I would recommend a deeper cup than a shallow one with a wider surface.)
5. Microwave for anywhere between 45 seconds to 1 minute. It all depends on the strength of your microwave. (Check at 45 seconds and do note that it will continue to cook a bit after you take it out of the microwave so less is really more.)
6. Serve warm, dusted with icing sugar if desired. A bit of warmed lemon curd goes nicely drizzled on top.

 

HINTS AND TIPS FOR SUCCESS

• Read through the recipe several times before beginning.
• Assemble all of your ingredients prior to beginning.
• Measure everything precisely as per the recipe ingredients list.
• Follow the timings. It may take slightly less time or even longer depending on the strength of your microwave oven.
• For a deeper molasses flavor use soft dark brown sugar
• Use a deep ramekin rather than a wide and shallow one to give the best results.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CAN THIS BE DOUBLED?

You could certainly double the ingredients, but do divide between two ramekins and bake separately.

HOW CAN I KEEP THIS FROM OVERFLOWING AND DRYING OUT?

First of all use the correct sized mug. Secondly do not overcook it. 

IS THERE REALLY NO EGG IN THIS CAKE?

Yes, there is no egg in this cake.

CAN I MAKE THIS GLUTEN FREE?

Yes, simply use a gluten free flour that measures one for one.

CAN I MAKE THIS DAIRY FREE?

Yes, simply use a non-dairy type of milk product in it's place.

WHAT KIND OF CONTAINERS ARE SUITABLE FOR COOKING THIS CAKE?

You can use any cup, ramekin, or mug that is microwave safe. I prefer glass or ceramic. DO NOT use any type of  plastic, metal  or container with lead in it such as some stoneware. It should be food friendly.

 

A FEW OTHER CAKES FOR ONE

THAT YOU MIGHT ENJOY

Delicious cakes sized for one?  Count me in!

STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING CAKE FOR ONE - A two minute hug in a mug. This Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake for One is pure, decadent comfort — the kind of dessert that feels far too luxurious for how quick and simple it is. In just a couple of minutes, you whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and rich date syrup, then microwave it into a warm, tender, sticky‑sweet cake that tastes just like the classic British pudding. And then comes the best part: a glossy, buttery toffee sauce that melts down into the warm cake, soaking every crumb in caramel goodness. Add a splash of cream (if you dare!) and you’ve got a dessert that’s dangerously delicious… and dangerously fast. It’s everything people love about traditional Sticky Toffee Pudding — the deep date flavor, the moist crumb, the luscious sauce — but made in a single mug, just for you. No leftovers, no fuss, no waiting. Just instant comfort, ready whenever the craving strikes. A modern classic, perfectly portioned, and absolutely swoon‑worthy.

CARAMEL APPLE MUG CAKE - A warm gooey treat in minutes. This Caramel Apple Mug Cake is the perfect little indulgence when you’re craving something warm, sweet, and comforting right now. Made with cinnamon, applesauce, and a touch of warming spice, it cooks into a soft, tender cake in under two minutes — no eggs, no fuss, and absolutely no rubbery texture. In fact, it stays beautifully moist and light, thanks to the applesauce and simple pantry ingredients. The real magic, though, is the homemade salted caramel sauce. Rich, buttery, and impossibly easy to make, it soaks into the warm cake and creates that irresistible sticky‑toffee‑meets-apple-pie vibe. A swirl of whipped cream on top turns it into a cozy, café‑style dessert made just for you. It’s quick, it’s comforting, and it’s the perfect way to treat yourself without baking a whole cake. A little apple hug in a mug.

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Yield: One delicious Serving

Author: Marie Rayner

Gingerbread Cake for One

Prep time: 2 MinCook time: 1 MinTotal time: 3 Min

This tasty gingerbread cake cooks in about a minute in the microwave. Moist and delicious. A bit of warmed lemon curd on the side goes very nicely.

Ingredients

For the cake:

• 3 TBS plain all-purpose flour
• 1 TBS soft light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 tsp powdered ginger
• 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 1/8 tsp grated nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 TBS molasses
• 1 TBS milk
• 2 tsp oil (can use any kind of oil you wish, coconut, canola, sunflower, etc.)
• 1/2 to 1 tsp icing sugar to dust on top
• warmed lemon curd to serve (optional)

Instructions

1. Butter a 4 ounce baking cup really well. Set aside.
2. Whisk the flour, baking powder and all of the spices together in a bowl along with the brown sugar. Mix to combine well together.
3. Add the milk, molasses and oil. Mix everything well together until smooth.
4. Pour into the prepared baking cup.
5. Microwave for anywhere between 45 seconds to 1 minute. It all depends on the strength of your microwave.
6. Serve warm, dusted with icing sugar if desired. A bit of warmed lemon curd goes nicely drizzled on top.

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