Lemon Cottage Cheese Mug Cake (Printable)

Bright, tangy microwave cake with cottage cheese and fresh lemon. Ready in 7 minutes for a quick single-serving treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ Wet Ingredients

01 - 1/4 cup cottage cheese
02 - 1 large egg
03 - 2 tablespoons milk (any type)
04 - 1 tablespoon melted butter
05 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
06 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Dry Ingredients

07 - 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
08 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
09 - 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
10 - 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
11 - Pinch of salt

# Directions:

01 - In a microwave-safe mug (at least 12 oz capacity), whisk together cottage cheese, egg, milk, melted butter, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until completely smooth and incorporated.
02 - Add flour, sugar, lemon zest, baking powder, and salt to the mug. Mix until just combined, ensuring no dry pockets remain, scraping down the sides of the mug as needed.
03 - Microwave on high power for 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes, until the cake has risen and the center is fully set.
04 - Allow the cake to cool for 2-3 minutes before serving. Enjoy directly from the mug, optionally dusted with powdered sugar, extra lemon zest, or topped with a spoonful of yogurt.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in under 10 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for late night cravings or sudden dessert emergencies
  • Packs 13 grams of protein per serving, so you can indulge without the sugar crash that usually follows sweet treats
  • The cottage cheese creates an incredibly moist texture while keeping the cake light and airy
02 -
  • Microwave wattage varies wildly, so your first time making this, check it at 90 seconds and then in 15 second intervals to avoid overcooking
  • The mug you choose matters, use one with straight sides rather than tapered edges for more even cooking
  • Letting it cool for those few minutes seems pointless but makes the difference between a mushy texture and a proper cake
03 -
  • Grate your lemon zest before juicing the lemon, it's much harder to zest a squeezed lemon
  • Room temperature ingredients blend more easily and create a more uniform texture
  • If you're meal prepping, mix the dry ingredients in a baggie and just add wet ingredients when ready to cook

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