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I remember the first time I tried yuzu. A friend brought some back from a trip to Japan, and its aroma alone was intoxicating. It’s like lemon, grapefruit, and mandarin had a baby – a super fragrant, wonderfully tart baby. Since then, I’ve been obsessed with finding ways to incorporate its unique flavour into everything. (Well, almost everything. Yuzu toothpaste? Maybe not.) This mug cake is, like, my current yuzu obsession. It is just that good. My niece said it taste like sunshine on a cloudy day!
And lets be real – sometimes you just need a single serving of cake. No sharing, no leftovers taunting you from the fridge. It's the perfect indulgence for a cozy night in, or when you're, like, stress eating after a really bad day. I once burned a pizza so badly I needed to just make this mug cake and forget it. Plus, it is super easy and quick! Seriously, you probably have most of the ingredients already. What are you waiting for? Let's get baking! (Well, microwaving, but you get the idea.)
Craving a bright, citrusy treat but short on time? This Yuzu Citrus Zing Mug Cake is the answer! Ready in minutes, this single-serving dessert delivers a burst of tangy yuzu flavor in a warm, comforting cake.
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield:1 servings
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
Grab your favorite mug. Make sure it is microwave-safe, preferably one that holds at least 12 ounces to prevent overflow... unless you're into cleaning up sticky cake batter from your microwave. In that case, go wild!
Melt the butter: In the mug, add the 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Microwave on high for about 20-30 seconds, or until completely melted. Keep a close eye on it; nobody wants exploding butter in their microwave!
Add the sugar and yuzu zest: Stir in the 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon of yuzu zest (or lemon zest if yuzu is hard to find). Make sure the zest is finely grated for the best flavor distribution. Really get that zest in there, make sure the sugar is coated and happy.
Incorporate the egg yolk and vanilla: Add the 1 large egg yolk and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Whisk everything together until well combined and smooth. There should be no streaks of yolk or sugar. This is important!
Mix in the dry ingredients: Add the 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder to the mug. Stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can lead to a tough mug cake, and nobody wants that.
Add the yuzu juice (or lemon juice) and milk: Pour in the 1 tablespoon of yuzu juice (or lemon juice) and 2 tablespoons of milk. Stir until the batter is smooth and homogenous. The batter should be pourable but not too runny.
Microwave that bad boy: Microwave on high for 60-90 seconds, or until the cake is cooked through. Cooking times may vary depending on your microwave, so start with 60 seconds and add 10-second intervals until the cake is set but still slightly moist in the center. Stick a toothpick in it; if it comes out clean, you are good to go!
Let it cool slightly and garnish: Let the mug cake cool for a minute or two before serving. This helps prevent burning your tongue (trust me, I know). Garnish with a dusting of powdered sugar, fresh berries, a dollop of whipped cream, or an extra sprinkle of yuzu zest. Get creative! Or, you know, just dig in with a spoon. No judgement here.
Enjoy the Yuzu Citrus Zing: Grab a spoon and dive into your warm, citrusy mug cake. Savor every bite and let the tangy yuzu flavor brighten your day. You deserve it.
📝 Notes
If you don’t have yuzu juice, lemon juice works great too. You might want to, like, add a tiny bit more sugar to balance the tartness, but honestly, it's still gonna be awesome.
Microwave cooking times can vary. Keep an eye on your mug cake and adjust as needed. If its starts to get too puffy, just pause the microwave! No worries
Feel free to add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors.