Okay, so you know how sometimes you just get a craving for something sweet, something that tastes like the holidays, but you *really* don’t want to bake a whole batch of cookies? Yeah, me too! That’s exactly how this amazing Churro-Style Cinnamon Sugar Cottage Cheese Mug Cake for Christmas came into my life. It’s like magic in a mug, seriously! It hits all those warm, cinnamon-spiced notes you want for Christmas, but it’s ready in literally minutes. I love whipping this up when I need a quick festive pick-me-up, especially when I’m running around like a crazy person getting ready for the holidays. It’s surprisingly delicious and totally hits the spot!

Why You’ll Love This Churro-Style Cinnamon Sugar Cottage Cheese Mug Cake for Christmas

Super Speedy: Ready in under 10 minutes from start to finish!
Incredibly Easy: Just mix and microwave – no fancy techniques needed.
Festive Flavors: All the deliciousness of churros with warm cinnamon and sugar.
Surprising Protein: Cottage cheese adds a protein boost, making it a satisfying treat.
Perfect Portion: Just enough for one person, so no temptation to overindulge!

Gather Your Ingredients for the Churro-Style Cinnamon Sugar Cottage Cheese Mug Cake

Alright, let’s get everything ready so we can whip up this little mug cake wonder! It’s really straightforward, which is what I love about it. Having everything prepped makes the whole process so smooth, especially when you’re in a festive rush. You don’t need a ton of fancy stuff, just good ol’ pantry staples that probably are already hiding in your kitchen.

Essential Ingredients for Your Churro-Style Cinnamon Sugar Cottage Cheese Mug Cake

First up, for the actual cake batter, you’ll need: 1/2 cup of cottage cheese. I usually go for the full-fat kind because I find it makes the cake extra tender, but honestly, whatever you have works! Then, grab 1 large egg. Make sure it’s not straight from the fridge; letting it sit out for a few minutes helps it mix in better. You’ll also need 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter, melted – just pop it in the microwave for a few seconds. For that sweet, spiced flavor, we’re adding 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. A splash of 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract always makes things taste better, right? Then, for the structure, get 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, and it’s best if you sift it or at least spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off. We need 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder to give it a little lift, and just a pinch of salt to balance everything out. Finally, pour in 2 tablespoons of milk – any kind will do, whether it’s whole, skim, almond, or oat milk.

Topping Ingredients for That Perfect Churro Finish

Now for the best part – that irresistible churro topping! It’s super simple. You just need another 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter, melted, and then mix that with 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar and another 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. That’s it! This little mix is what gives it that classic churro vibe.

Crafting Your Churro-Style Cinnamon Sugar Cottage Cheese Mug Cake: Step-by-Step

Alright, let’s get this mug cake party started! It’s honestly so easy, you’ll be wondering why you haven’t made it before. Remember, the key is to work quickly but gently. We want a lovely, fluffy cake, not a tough one, so don’t go crazy mixing!

Preparing the Mug Cake Batter

First things first, grab your favorite microwave-safe mug. I like to use one that’s a good size, maybe 10-12 ounces, so the batter has a little room to puff up. Into that mug, plop your 1/2 cup of cottage cheese. Don’t worry if it looks a bit lumpy; we’re going to mix it up. Now, crack in your 1 large egg, add the 1 tablespoon of melted butter, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and that little dash of 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract. Give all of that a really good whisk or stir until it’s as smooth as you can get it. Seriously, try to break down those cottage cheese curds as much as possible. Next, gently stir in the 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, the 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and that tiny pinch of salt. Just mix until everything is *just* combined – you don’t want to see big streaks of flour, but don’t overmix, okay? Finally, pour in the 2 tablespoons of milk and give it one last gentle stir until you have a nice, smooth batter. It should be thick, but pourable.

Microwaving Your Churro-Style Cottage Cheese Mug Cake to Perfection

Now for the magic! Pop that mug into your microwave. We’re going to cook it on high power. Start with about 1 minute and 30 seconds. Microwaves can be a bit wild, so keep an eye on it. You’re looking for the cake to be set and slightly puffed up. If it still looks a little wet in the center after that time, give it another 15-30 seconds, checking in between. You don’t want it to overflow, and you definitely don’t want it to get rubbery, so err on the side of less time and add more if needed. When it looks mostly cooked through and springs back a little when you gently touch the top, it’s ready!

Adding the Irresistible Churro Topping

While your mug cake is doing its thing in the microwave, quickly whip up the topping. In a tiny little bowl, mix together the other 1 tablespoon of melted butter with the other 1 tablespoon of sugar and the other 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Stir it until it’s all combined into a lovely, sweet paste. Once your mug cake is out of the microwave – be careful, it’s hot! – spoon this amazing cinnamon sugar mixture right over the top. Let it sit for just a minute to melt into the warm cake. It’s like giving your mug cake a delicious churro coat!

Tips for the Best Churro-Style Cinnamon Sugar Cottage Cheese Mug Cake

Okay, so you’ve made it this far, and you’re about to have a little piece of holiday heaven! Here are a couple of my go-to tricks to make sure your Churro-Style Cinnamon Sugar Cottage Cheese Mug Cake for Christmas is absolutely perfect.

Achieving the Perfect Texture

The biggest thing for a great mug cake texture is really about not overmixing! Once you add the flour, just stir until it’s combined. Overmixing can make it tough, and nobody wants a tough mug cake, right? Also, pay attention to your microwave. Start with the lower end of the cooking time and add more if needed. It’s better to undercook it slightly and add 15 seconds than to overcook it and have it turn rubbery. You want it moist and tender!

Customizing Your Churro-Style Mug Cake

Feel free to play around with the spices! A tiny pinch of nutmeg in the batter along with the cinnamon is lovely, especially around Christmas. If you don’t have milk, a splash of water works in a pinch, or if you want to get fancy, a little bit of almond or oat milk adds a nice subtle flavor. And if you’re feeling extra decadent, a tiny dollop of whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on top is just heavenly! For more dessert inspiration, check out these triple chocolate cheesecake recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions about Churro-Style Cinnamon Sugar Cottage Cheese Mug Cake

Can I make this Churro-Style Cottage Cheese Mug Cake ahead of time?

Honestly, mug cakes are really best enjoyed right away! Because they cook so quickly in the microwave, they tend to get a little dry or tough if you try to store them. Plus, that warm cinnamon sugar topping is just divine when it’s fresh off the heat. So, I really recommend making this Churro-Style Cinnamon Sugar Cottage Cheese Mug Cake for Christmas right when that craving hits!

What if my mug cake is too dry or too wet?

This is super common with mug cakes because microwaves can vary so much! If your Churro-Style Cinnamon Sugar Cottage Cheese Mug Cake comes out too dry, it probably just needed a little less time in the microwave. Next time, try starting with 1 minute and 15 seconds and add 15-second increments. If it’s too wet, it just needs a bit more time, so pop it back in for another 15-30 seconds. Just keep checking it! For the batter consistency, if it seems *way* too thick before microwaving, a tiny splash more milk (like a teaspoon) can help, but be careful not to make it too thin.

Can I substitute the cottage cheese in this mug cake?

You know, the cottage cheese is what makes this mug cake really interesting and adds a nice bit of protein, but you *can* make substitutions if you absolutely have to. Greek yogurt is probably your best bet – use the same amount, about 1/2 cup. It might make the cake a little tangier, but it should still work. Just make sure it’s plain, unsweetened yogurt! I haven’t personally tried other substitutes, so I can’t say for sure how they’d turn out in this particular Churro-Style Cinnamon Sugar Cottage Cheese Mug Cake, but those are the ones I’d experiment with first! For more dinner ideas, explore our recipes.

Enjoying Your Churro-Style Cinnamon Sugar Cottage Cheese Mug Cake for Christmas

Once that glorious cinnamon sugar topping has melted into your warm mug cake, it’s ready to dive into! I love this mug cake just as it is, but if you’re feeling extra festive, a tiny dusting of powdered sugar over the top looks super cute and adds another layer of sweetness. A small scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on the side is also divine, especially if you’re having a cozy night in. It’s the perfect little treat to make your Christmas feel extra special!

Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for homemade treats can really vary depending on the exact ingredients you use, like the type of milk or if you use full-fat versus low-fat cottage cheese. But, as a general idea, this delicious Churro-Style Cinnamon Sugar Cottage Cheese Mug Cake for Christmas comes in at roughly 350-400 calories per serving. You’re looking at about 15-20g of fat, with 8-10g of saturated fat, and a good boost of protein, around 15-20g. It’s got about 30-35g of carbohydrates. Enjoy it as a perfect little festive indulgence! For more easy cheesecake recipes, check out our collection.

Churro Mug Cake: 350 Calorie Christmas Treat

Author: memorecipes.com
Total Time: 7 minutes
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A quick and easy mug cake flavored like churros with cinnamon sugar, perfect for a festive Christmas treat.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2 cup cottage cheese
1 large egg
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons milk
For the topping: 1 tablespoon melted butter, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

In a microwave-safe mug, combine cottage cheese, egg, melted butter, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined.
Add milk and mix until you have a smooth batter.
Microwave on high for 1.5 to 2 minutes, or until the cake is set.
While the cake is cooking, mix the topping ingredients in a small bowl.
Once the cake is done, carefully remove the mug from the microwave.
Spread the cinnamon sugar topping over the warm cake.
Enjoy immediately.

Notes

Ensure your mug is microwave-safe.
Cooking time may vary depending on your microwave.
Adjust cinnamon and sugar to your preference.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Microwave
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 mug cake
Calories: Approximately 350-400
Sugar: Approximately 20-25g
Sodium: Approximately 200-250mg
Fat: Approximately 15-20g
Saturated Fat: Approximately 8-10g
Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 7-10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: Approximately 30-35g
Fiber: Approximately 1-2g
Protein: Approximately 15-20g
Cholesterol: Approximately 80-100mg

Keywords: churro, cinnamon sugar, cottage cheese, mug cake, Christmas, dessert, quick, easy, festive