Spread the love

If you’re craving something sweet, tangy, and comforting but don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, this Lemon Curd Mug Cake is the perfect solution. It’s a soft, fluffy cake with a burst of citrus flavor and a swirl of rich lemon curd—all made in just one mug and ready in under five minutes! Whether it’s a midweek treat, a quick dessert after dinner or a way to brighten a gloomy day, this mug cake will hit the spot.

A white cup containing a mug cake with yellow icing on top, placed on a green checkered cloth, with half a lemon in the background.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick & Easy – No baking required! Just mix, microwave, and enjoy.
Single-Serve – Perfect portion for one, with no leftovers or cleanup.
Bright & Zesty – The lemon curd adds a luscious, tangy flavor that balances the sweetness beautifully.
Customizable – Easily tweak the sweetness or add toppings like whipped cream or extra lemon curd.

Ingredients

All you need to make these zesty lemon mug cake.

Eight labeled bowls on a countertop containing sugar, all purpose flour, baking powder, milk, coconut oil, vanilla extract, lemon curd, and lemon juice.

All-purpose flour : The base of the mug cake, giving it structure and a soft crumb.
Sugar : Adds sweetness and balances the tartness of the lemon.
Baking powder : Helps the cake rise and become fluffy.
Milk: Keeps the batter moist and helps everything come together.
Coconut oil or melted butter : Adds richness and keeps the cake tender. Choose coconut oil for a light tropical note or butter for a classic flavor.
Lemon juice : Gives the cake a fresh, zesty brightness.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor and warmth of the cake.
Lemon curd : The star of the show! Adds a creamy, tangy layer that melts into the cake as it cooks. Add a drizzle to the cooked mug cake for extra flavor and decoration.

How To Make Lemon Curd Mug Cake

Within minutes you have a delicious lemon mug cake!

A white mug containing flour and sugar sits on a countertop, surrounded by small dishes holding liquid ingredients—perfect for whipping up a quick lemon curd mug cake.

Mix dry ingredients in a mug.

White mug containing a light brown beverage with visible oil on the surface, placed on a speckled countertop. Nearby, a small dish holds yellow lemon curd spread—perfect for pairing with your favorite mug cake.

Stir in the wet ingredients.

A white mug filled with a beige batter, topped with dollops of yellow butter, sits on a speckled countertop—perfect for making a quick lemon curd mug cake.

Drizzle in the lemon curd.

A white mug filled with a light brown lemon curd mug cake, topped with yellow drizzle, sits on a green and white checkered cloth, with a green container labeled "yum" in the background.

Microwave and serve with a drizzle of lemon curd.

Recipe Tips

Use a microwave-safe mug that’s at least 10 oz to prevent overflow.

Don’t overcook – Start with 1 minute, then microwave in 10-second bursts if needed. The cake should look set but still slightly soft in the center.

Swirl in the lemon curd for a marbled effect, or drop it into the center before cooking for a gooey surprise.

Let it cool for a minute before eating—it will be hot straight out of the microwave!

A spoon holding a bite of lemon curd mug cake above a white cup, with a halved lemon and green checkered cloth in the background.

More Lemon Mug Cake Recipes

For those of you who enjoy a citrus flavor to your dessert, try these other recipes:

Keto Lemon Blueberry Mug Cake