Are All Coffee Mugs Oven-Safe?

You don’t always need an oven to bake your favorite recipes. With a microwave, you can make delicious baked meals, like bread, pizza, cake, and brownies, in a shorter amount of time. Just make sure you’re using microwave-safe pans and trays! Keep in mind that exact baking times will vary depending on how many watts your microwave has.

So you came across these nifty coffee mug cake recipes that you can use in a microwave, but all you have is an oven. Can you put all coffee mug types in the oven? If not, which types are oven-safe, and at what temperatures are they safe?

Not all coffee mugs are oven-safe. Ceramic coffee mugs can go in the oven, as well as glass and bone china. Metal, stainless steel, and silicone mugs are oven-safe. Polypropylene and plastic mugs are microwaveable but not safe in a conventional oven.

If you do not have enough time to bake a chocolate cake in an oven but still craving one so bad, then don’t worry, you can make one in a microwave just in 1 minute! Well, it will take you less than 5 minutes for prepping and 1 minute for cooking and you can enjoy an absolutely delicious chocolate cake whenever you like!

This cake has a perfectly soft and spongy cakey texture to it, which makes it the best chocolate cake in a mug. This awesomely delicious chocolate mug cake is a single-serving one.

Another good thing about this microwave mug cake is, you will only need one mug to do the whole prepping and baking process. So it’s not only very delicious but also very easy to make too.

• Milk chocolate chunks

Amount per Serving

% Daily Value*

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Are you craved for sweet and a big fan of cakes and cakes bites? Are you obsessed with banana bread but don’t have a baking oven? If yes, this recipe for you.

It is fast, super easy, and handy, and in no time, you can satisfy your sweet craving. You thought about what I am talking about—the best Chocolate Banana mug cake in a microwave.

The chocolate banana cake is the instant version of cake and banana bread. It has the goodness of fruit and milk and the unique gooey texture of the cake.

Everyone will love it. You want some instant sweet and have no eggs. Go in your kitchen make the banana bread as it takes just 3 -4-minute preparation and only a minute in baking. You can have the delicious banana mug cake in your hands just in 5 minutes of total time.

Let’s bake it and enjoy it in this pandemic time and cherish you.

Amount per Serving

% Daily Value*

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

• Take the banana in a small bowl. Mash it properly using a fork.

• Pour the mashed banana into a microwaveable cup.

• Add brown sugar along with 1 tbsp. of milk and 1 tbsp. sunflower oil. Mix well with a fork until sugar completely dissolves.

• Add Vanilla Essence and mix well.

• Add all-purpose flour and ¼ baking soda in a mug.

• Add ¼ tsp. Cinnamon powder along with a pinch of salt. Mix all the ingredients well with the banana milk mix. Try to mix gently to avoid any flour lumps.

• Add 2 tbsps. Chocolate chunks in the cake batter and mix for a while.

• Bake the cake in the microwave for 1 minute.

• After a minute, please remove it from the microwave and garnish it with banana slices and pinch of cinnamon powder.

• You can have it hot or cold taste will be equally well and delicious.

Some tips and tricks for best results:

1. Place a clean kitchen towel underneath the mug in the oven to catch the overspill in case if batter spills.
2. Microwave the cake for 1 minute and also go for toothpick test if it comes out clean, the cake is ready. Suppose any residual microwave it for the other 30 seconds as every microwave has different settings.

Before you put anything into the oven, you should make sure if the dish you are using is oven-safe or not.

As desserts baked in mugs have become widely popular, you may wonder if it is safe to bake in your favorite coffee mug. 

Are mugs oven-safe? Mugs can safely go into the oven only if they are labeled as oven-safe or made of stoneware. With other mugs, it is risky to put them in the oven; they may crack and shatter as a result of being exposed to high temperatures. 

This article is all about the relationship between mugs and the oven – what mugs can go into the oven and what mugs you should keep away from it. Additionally, we will tell you how to prevent oven-safe mugs from cracking as well as answer a few other topic-related questions you may have.

So let’s get started.

Can Mugs Go into the Oven?

If you have seen a mouth-watering chocolate mug cake or single-serve applesauce oatmeal crisp recipe and want to try it in the oven, you probably wonder if mugs are even oven-safe. 

Mugs can be oven-safe. So long as the mug is made of an oven-safe material and the manufacturer states that it is oven-safe, you can safely put it in the oven.

It is also best to check the highest temperature your oven-safe mug can withstand before using it for a baked dessert. Your mug may be labeled oven-safe, but if it can only withstand temperatures of up to 200 Fahrenheit, you may not be able to use it in any recipe.

How Do You Know When Something Is Oven-Safe?

When it comes to identifying oven-safe items, including mugs, you should look for the oven-safe symbol. You can usually find it underneath plates, bowls, mugs, or cups. 

Checking the manufacturers recommendation and finding information online is another way to find out whether the mug is oven-safe or not. 

However, sometimes there is no symbol on the mug or it has already worn off. Or you may not even know what brand is your mug in order to check it online on the manufacturer’s website.

Putting mugs in the oven without making sure that they are oven-safe is risky. Thus, it is important to have general knowledge about which mug materials are oven safe and which ones you should never put in the oven. 

What Mugs Can Go into the Oven?

If the oven-safe symbol on the mug is missing and there is no information provided by the manufacturer regarding the proper use of the mug, it is best to make use of your general knowledge about which materials can safely go into the oven. 

Metal mugs can go into the oven. However, you need to be sure that the mug is pure metal. Pure metal is a great heat conductor and can safely go into the oven. 

However, before you put a metal mug in the oven, make sure that there are no plastic parts on it. Additionally, it is not recommended to put metal mugs with a non-stick coating into the oven as the added non-stick layer reacts poorly with the heat of the oven. 

Mugs that can safely go into the oven and withstand high heat are the ones made of stoneware. Stoneware mugs are thick and won’t crack or shatter when exposed to heat. These mugs either have a textured surface or a glazed finish. 

Stoneware Mugs – The Best Mugs for Baking 

If you are craving a dessert baked in a mug, you should certainly pick up a stoneware mug. 

Stoneware is a type of non-porous ceramic. Stoneware clay is fired at very high temperatures – up to 2,370 degrees. Thus, it is not surprising that it can hold up against the high heat of the oven – around 350 degrees. As stoneware is fired at such high temperatures, stoneware mugs are the best for baking.

Stoneware mugs are also great for baking as they distribute heat well, resulting in an evenly baked dessert. What makes stoneware mugs even better for baking is that they have a nonstick surface. This is the result of the natural non-porous surface of the material. 

So, you can bake a small batch of your favorite treat in a stoneware mug, end up with an evenly baked dessert, and clean the mug easily thanks to the non-stick surface of the material. 

Can You Put Glass Mugs in the Oven?

Glass mugs are not typically oven-safe. While glass has been tested to withstand very high heat, most glass mugs will shatter if you expose them to high oven temperatures. 

Nonetheless, some manufacturers produce oven-safe glass mugs. However, you need to be extra careful when putting a glass mug into the oven.

Before you do that, check the manufacturer’s recommendations and if the glass mug is oven-safe, don’t expose it to a higher temperature than the manufacturer claims it can withstand. 

Mugs You Should Never Put in the Oven

There are a few materials that should never go into the oven.

• Porcelain: Porcelain bakeware is oven-safe and can withstand high temperatures. However, this is not the case with porcelain mugs. These are made of thin porcelain that will crack and shatter when you expose it to high heat. 

Before you decide to put your porcelain mug into the oven, make sure to look for the oven-safe symbol. If it’s missing, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Don’t put porcelain mugs in the oven. 

• Bone china: Bone china is another delicate material that should never go into the oven. Mugs made of bone china are very thin. Additionally, most bone china mugs are painted and decorated which makes them even more unsuitable for the oven. 

• Plastic: As you would expect, putting plastic mugs in the oven should be avoided. Plastic will melt if you put it into the oven. In the best-case scenario, if the temperature of your oven is set at the lowest, the plastic mug will deform. 

You should never put any dish into the oven if it has plastic details on it. 

• Earthenware: Earthenware mugs may look thick and durable; however, we recommend you don’t put them in the oven as this material is prone to chipping. The paint will start to chip and come off as you put an earthenware mug into the oven. 

In addition to the material of the mug, you also need to pay attention to the decorations of the mug. The decorations, added after the mug has been fired, will most likely chip or crack when the mug goes into the oven. 

Decorations can also sometimes be made of other materials, which may affect how oven-safe a mug is.

What Happens If You Put a Non Oven-safe Mug in the Oven?

If you still think that you can get away with putting a not oven-safe mug into the oven, here’s another warning. Putting a mug into the oven that isn’t meant for that purpose will ruin the mug and mess up your oven too. 

The mug will break and shatter. The broken particles will spread all throughout the oven and the liquid inside the mug will spill all over. You will have to do lots of tedious cleaning to get rid of the consequences of putting a mug that is not oven-safe into the oven. 

Can I Put a Microwave-safe Mug in the Oven?

Microwave-safe does not mean oven-safe. Some mugs can be microwave-safe but putting them in the oven will result in a disaster. Plastic mugs, for example, are usually microwave-safe but should never go into the oven.

A mug should go into the oven only if it has a label saying that it is oven-safe. 

Why Do Some Oven-Safe Mugs Crack After Baking?

As we have already told you, some mugs can safely go into the oven. However, even mugs that are oven-safe can crack.

They don’t usually crack in the oven but after you’ve taken the mug out. You may take your beautifully baked mug cake out of the oven and the mug may crack out of nowhere. 

Why does this happen? When you expose the mug to drastic temperature changes, such as from the oven to colder temperatures or vice versa, the thermal shock it experiences causes the mug to crack. 

All materials are susceptible to thermal shock even if the mug comes with an oven-safe label. Of course, the stronger is the material the lower are the chances that it will crack as a result of a thermal shock.

How Do You Prevent the Mug from Cracking? 

1. Don’t set the temperature of the oven higher than recommended for the mug. Setting the oven temperature higher than the mug can withstand increases its chances of cracking. 

2. Avoid drastic temperature changes. Never transfer a mug that has been in the fridge or freezer right into the oven. Similarly, when you take the hot mug out of the oven, let it rest on your kitchen counter instead of moving it to a colder environment in order to cool it down quickly. 

As you can probably guess, this point suggests that you should never put hot mugs under running cold water either. Wait a little while before you try to wash or presoak your mug.

Up Next: The Best Ramekin Substitutes

Hi, I’m Jaron, the food enthusiast and founder of Foodsguy.com. I started this blog because someone told me I couldn’t and before I knew it, I was doing it purely out of my love for food. When I’m not chasing around my kids or hanging out with my partner you’ll probably find me making a mess of things in the kitchen.

Craving a cake, but don’t have enough time, energy, or ingredients to make one? Why not make a mug cake? Most mug cakes are large enough to serve just 1 or 2 people. Best of all, they are ready in minutes! Once you know the basics of making a mug cake, you can experiment with your own twists and variations.

1. 

   Grease the inside of a large, microwave-safe mug. Choose a large mug that is about 12 to 16 ounces (350 to 475 mL). If it’s any smaller, the cake may overflow and make a mess. Lightly grease the inside of the mug; this will make the cake easier to remove.

   • You can use cooking spray, butter, or a cooking oil.

2. 

   Mix all of the dry ingredients in the mug. Place the 3 tablespoons (22.5 g) of all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons (45 g) of granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons (15 g) of cocoa powder, and ¼ teaspoon (1 g) of baking powder into the mug. Stir everything together with a fork or spoon.

   • If you want a slightly less-sweet cake, add a pinch of salt.

3. 

   Stir in the wet ingredients. Add in 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of milk and 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of canola or vegetable oil. Stir everything together with a spoon until the color and texture are consistent. Scrape the bottom and sides of the mug often so that everything mixes in.

   • To enhance the flavor of the cake, add in a little bit of vanilla extract.
   • You could also add in some chocolate chips for extra flavor and a gooey texture. You can stir them in, or leave them sprinkled on top. Chocolate chips come in different flavors, such as mint, white, milk, and dark. Choose a flavor that you like best!
   • For a vegan version, use a non-dairy milk instead.

4. 

   Cook the cake on HIGH for 90 seconds. The cake may puff up slightly as it cooks, but it will deflate once you stop the microwave. Don’t overcook the cake, or it will be too dry and crumbly.

   • If you’re worried about the cake overflowing and making a mess, put a paper plate or paper towel under the mug or on top of it.

5. 

   Allow the cake to cool for 2 to 3 minutes before serving it. You can eat it straight from the mug with a spoon, or you can dump it out onto a plate. You can also let the cake cool off completely.

   • For a fancier cake, garnish it with whipped cream or icing. You can also serve it with some raspberry jam or chocolate sauce.

1. 

   Grease the inside of a large, microwave-safe mug. You can use cooking oil, cooking spray, or butter. The mug needs to be between 12 and 16 ounces (350 and 475 mL), otherwise, the cake may overflow and create a mess.

2. 

   Combine the dry ingredients in the mug. Pour the 3 tablespoons (22.5 g) of all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons (45 g) of granulated sugar, ¼ teaspoon (1 g) of baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Mix everything together with a fork.

   • For a sweeter cake, you can omit the salt.

3. 

   Add in the wet ingredients. Crack an egg into the mug, then pour in 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of canola or vegetable oil and tablespoons (22 mL) of freshly-squeezed lemon juice. Mix everything together with a fork until the ingredients are well combined.

   • For extra flavor, add in teaspoon (2.5 mL) of vanilla extract.^[1]
     
   • If desired, you could also add in 1 teaspoon (2 g) of finely-grated lemon zest. Scrape the bottom and sides of the mug so that everything gets mixed in.^[2]
     
   • For even more texture, you could add in 1/2 teaspoon (1.5 g) of poppy seeds as well.

4. 

   Cook the cake for 1 ½ to 2 minutes on HIGH in the microwave. It will take about 1½ to 2 minutes, but you will want to check the cake after 1½ minutes. It is ready when it has risen slightly and the center has set.

   • It would be a good idea to put something under or on top of the mug, like a paper towel. This way, if the cake overflows, you’ll have an easier time cleaning up.

5. 

   Allow the cake to cool before serving it. You can let it cool all the way, or wait 2 to 3 minutes, and eat it while it is still warm. For an a nicer touch, sprinkle some icing sugar and lemon zest on top of the cake.

   • For a fancier cake, you can mix ⅓ cup (40 g) of powdered sugar with tablespoons (22 mL) of freshly-squeezed lemon juice, and drizzle it over the top of the cake.

1. 

   Grease the inside of a large, microwave-safe mug. Find a large mug between 12 and 16 ounces (350 and 475 mL). Lightly grease the inside with butter, cooking oil, or cooking spray.

   • You’re using a large mug to allow for rising. If it’s too small, the cake may overflow.
   • You need to grease the inside of the mug to make the cake easier to remove.

2. 

   Mix together the dry ingredients. Put ¼ cup (25 g) of all-purpose flour, 4½ tablespoons (62.5 g) of granulated sugar, ⅛ teaspoon (0.5 g) of baking powder, 1½ tablespoons (11.25 g) of unsweetened cocoa powder, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of cinnamon in the mug. Mix everything together with a fork or mini whisk.

3. 

   Stir in the wet ingredients. Pour in 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of canola or vegetable oil and 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of buttermilk. Add in 1 egg, then 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of vanilla extract and teaspoon (2.5 mL) of red food coloring. Mix everything together with a fork until the yolk breaks. Keep mixing until the color and texture turn consistent.

   • If you can’t find buttermilk, try sour cream or plain yogurt.

4. 

   Cook the cake for 50 to 60 seconds. Place the cake into the microwave and cook it on HIGH for 50 to 60 seconds. The cake is ready when the center is set. If the center is not set, then continue cooking the cake at 15-second intervals until it is set.

   • Place something like a paper plate or paper towel under the mug incase the cake overflows.

5. 

6. 

   • The more sugar you add, the stiffer the frosting will be.

7. 

   Pipe the frosting onto the cake. Scoop the frosting into a plastic sandwich bag. Zip it shut, then cut off 1 corner. Pipe the frosting onto the cake, then serve it. You don’t have to use all of the frosting.

   • You can remove the cake out of the mug first, or leave it in the mug.
   • Use the leftover frosting to fill the cake.
   • You can use a piping bag and tip instead.

1. 

   Spray the inside of a large, microwave-safe mug with cooking spray. Get a 12 to 16-ounce (350 to 475-mL) mug and spray it with nonstick cooking spray. You want to use a large mug to allow the cake to rise when you cook it.

   • If you don’t have cooking spray, lightly grease the mug with butter or cooking oil.

2. 

   Combine the dry ingredients in the mug. Pour ¼ cup (25 g) of all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons (30 g) of granulated sugar, and ½ teaspoon (2 g) of baking powder into the mug. Stir everything together with a fork or mini whisk.

   • For a less-sweet cake, add in a pinch of salt.

3. 

   Mix in the wet ingredients. Pour cup (59 mL) of milk into the mug. Add teaspoon (2.5 mL) of vanilla extract and tablespoons (22 mL) of canola or vegetable oil. Stir everything together with a spoon, scraping the bottom and sides of the mug often.

   • For a vegan version, use a non-dairy milk.

4. 

   Stir in some sprinkles, if desired. This is a great option if you are making a birthday or “funfetti” cake. The round, confetti type would work the best, but you can use other types too. Plan on using about 2 teaspoons of sprinkles.

   • You don’t have to do this if you are making a regular vanilla cake.
   • A great alternative is to use mini chocolate chips.

5. 

   Microwave the cake for 90 seconds. Place the mug into the microwave, then cook it for 90 seconds, preferably at 70 to 80% power. If you don’t know how to set the power on your microwave, use full power and watch the cake closely.

   • If you’re worried about making a mess inside the microwave, place a paper plate or paper towel under the mug or over the mug before you cook it.

6. 

   Allow the cake to cool slightly before eating it. After 2 to 3 minutes, the cake will be cool enough to eat. You can eat it straight from the mug, or dump it out onto a plate. You can also serve it with whipped cream or ice cream.

   • For a fancier cake, cut it in half, then coat 1 half with jam. Put it back together, then frost it with buttercream frosting.

Add New Question

• Can I stir the egg before I put it in?

  
  

  Emily Margolis is a baking entrepreneur in Baltimore, MD. With over 15 years of baking experience, she founded Baking with Chef Emily in 2018, offering private baking lessons in the D.C. area.

  

• Can I increase the amount in a different container?

  
  

  Emily Margolis is a baking entrepreneur in Baltimore, MD. With over 15 years of baking experience, she founded Baking with Chef Emily in 2018, offering private baking lessons in the D.C. area.

  

• Can I use all-purpose flour instead of self-rising flour?

  

  Yes, you can use all-purpose flour. However, the cake will not rise and won’t be as fluffy as it would be with self-rising flour.

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• Top a chocolate cake off with marshmallows for a hot chocolate effect!

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Can coffee mugs go in the oven? Find out if your favorite coffee mug is safe to put in the oven, and learn how to keep it from cracking when you take it out.

Mug cakes are all the rage, but I don’t like to bake things in a microwave oven. Still, I’ve been unable to resist the temptation of a single-serving dessert. So after looking up a few recipes, I dug through my dishes to see if any of my coffee mugs were oven safe.

Can you put coffee mugs in a hot oven? How do you know which mugs can withstand high temperatures?

Stoneware mugs can go in the oven, and so can any mugs that are marked as “oven-safe” by the manufacturer. Don’t put normal porcelain, earthenware, or china mugs in the oven; they’ll crack either in the oven or when you pull them out to cool.

Some of my dishes just say “oven-safe” on the bottom, but most of them have no markings. I really wanted to make that cake, so I did the research – and now I’ll show you exactly how to tell if your coffee mug can go in the oven.

Table Of Contents

Can Coffee Mugs Go In The Oven? How To Tell If Your Coffee Mug Is Oven Safe

Coffee mugs that are oven-safe are usually advertised and sold for that feature. But if you’ve had a mug sitting in your cabinet for years, you can decide whether it’s oven-safe by checking the material and the manufacturer’s recommendations.

What Material Is Your Coffee Mug Made From?

Ceramics are categorized by the clay that was used and the temperature that the dish was fired at. Pottery fired at hotter temperatures is more likely to be heat-resistant and oven-safe. If you can’t identify the material, assume that you can’t put the mug in the oven.

• Stoneware: Stoneware mugs and dishes are heat-resistant and safe to put in the oven. Most stoneware mugs are thick and opaque; they either have a rough surface texture or a shiny, baked-on glaze.
• Porcelain: Although some porcelain is oven-safe, most porcelain coffee mugs cannot be put in the oven. This is because porcelain is thin and susceptible to thermal shock. Porcelain dishes have a uniform color and may or may not be glazed. However, most porcelain is microwave-safe, as well as dishwasher-safe.
• Earthenware: Earthenware is thick and heavy like stoneware, but it’s not safe to put in the oven. Earthenware mugs are usually painted and are prone to chipping; you’ll be able to see the plain white clay under the paint or on the bottom of the cup.
• Bone china: Delicate bone china mugs should never be put in the oven or dishwasher. These coffee mugs are thin and dainty and are painted or inlaid with intricate designs.
• Metal: A pure metal cup, like a camping mug, should be safe to put in the oven. Make sure there are no plastic elements on the cup; nonstick finishes will also react poorly to heat.
• Plastic or acrylic: All plastic mugs will melt if put in the oven. A mug with a plastic handle or grip will have the same problem.
• Glass: Although most glass is not oven-safe, some varieties have been designed to withstand the heat of the oven, like pyrex. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations before baking a glass mug.
• Decorated: Any coffee mug with textured decorations is probably not safe to put in the oven. These decorations are usually added after the firing process and will crack or break when exposed to heat.

Check Your Mug’s Manufacturer Recommendations

Most coffee mug manufacturers print the material type and any care recommendations on the bottom of the mug. Expect to see text that says “dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe” on any mug that you can put in the oven.

If the cup doesn’t have any text printed on it, check the box that it came in. Many mug sets come with a small book of care instructions.

Most mugs and dishes have a maker’s mark that identifies the manufacturer. You may be able to see if your mug is oven-safe by checking the manufacturer’s website.

Stoneware: It’s Perfect For Baking!

Stoneware is a type of pottery that has been fired at temperatures between 2,010 and 2,370 degrees. The result is a dish that’s dense, durable, and oven-friendly.

Some types of porcelain can withstand temperatures up to 350 degrees. True stoneware can withstand any oven temperature without chipping or cracking.

Stoneware is also beloved by bakers because it retains and distributes heat evenly across the dish. This means that every part of your cake or casserole will cook at the same temperature and in the same amount of time.

Another reason that stoneware is so popular for baking is that it has a natural nonstick surface. This is because stoneware is nonporous, so there’s nowhere for the food to stick in the dish.

This nonstick surface makes stoneware easy to clean and maintain. I love baking with my stoneware mugs; they’re perfect for making a single-serving dessert.

Why Coffee Mugs Crack After Baking

Pottery that has been fired at hot enough temperatures should be safe to put in the oven. However, many bakers have noticed that their favorite ceramic dishes didn’t crack in the oven – they shattered while they were serving food.

So what’s going on? Pottery cracks when it’s exposed to sudden changes in temperature. If a cold mug gets hot, or if a hot mug gets cold, it could suddenly break apart.

This cracking process is known as thermal shock. Pottery, like most solid materials, will expand when exposed to heat and contract when exposed to cold. If this happens too quickly, the molecular bonds that hold the dish together will snap.

All types of pottery are susceptible to thermal shock. The stronger the dish is, the greater the difference in temperature will need to be.

How To Avoid Thermal Shock When Putting a Coffee Mug In the Oven

Porcelain mugs, stone dinnerware, and glass cookware can all crack when subjected to thermal shop. If you’re going to bake with your coffee mugs, you should know how to protect them.

• Know the maximum temperature for your dish. Some types of ceramics simply can’t get too hot or too cold. Delicate ceramics will shatter as soon as they’re heated.
• Let dishes rest on the counter. Whether you’re taking the dish out of the oven or out of the freezer, wait at least 10-20 minutes before you move it to the next environment. This will let the dish normalize to room temperature and prevent cracking.
• Don’t run hot cups under cold water. Even stoneware will crack if you take it out of the oven and drop it in the sink.
• Don’t move cups from the freezer to the oven. If your recipe calls for freezing, try wrapping the dough in oven-safe wax paper. When it’s time to bake, take it out of the freezer and put it in a room-temperature coffee mug.
• Don’t expose normal dishes to direct heat. An oven is a closed environment that heats its contents evenly. If you take an oven-safe cup and place it on the stove or over a fire, only one part of the cup will heat. The difference in temperature will cause cracking between the hot and cold areas.

When it comes to establishing, “can you put a mug in the oven?” you need the right cup to put in the oven without cracking. Basically, use either stoneware or anything marked with the label “oven-safe” when baking your next dessert inside of a ceramic mug.

However, if you want to keep your cup of joe warm, don’t worry about the oven, and don’t ruin your coffee by microwaving it either! Instead, consider buying a good coffee mug warmer or thermos for coffee.

Recommendations

Cutiset 15 Ounce Ceramic Lava Mugs, Unique Glazed Microwave Safe and Oven Safe Coffee Mug Set of 4, Multicolor

CorningWare 20-Ounce Oven Safe Meal Mug with Vented Lid, French White, Pack of 2

CorningWare Meal Mug with Vented Lid for Steam, 20-Oz Stoneware Soup Mug, BPA-Free Lid, Microwave, Freezer, and Dishwasher Safe, Blueberry

DOWAN Coffee Mug, Ceramic Soup Mugs with Handles, 17 Oz Wide Large Coffee Mugs Set of 2, Mug for Latte, Cappuccino, Tea, White Coffee Mugs Dishwasher & Microwave Safe

Cutiset 15 Ounce Ceramic Lava Mugs, Unique Glazed Microwave Safe and Oven Safe Coffee Mug Set of 4, Multicolor

CorningWare 20-Ounce Oven Safe Meal Mug with Vented Lid, French White, Pack of 2

CorningWare Meal Mug with Vented Lid for Steam, 20-Oz Stoneware Soup Mug, BPA-Free Lid, Microwave, Freezer, and Dishwasher Safe, Blueberry

DOWAN Coffee Mug, Ceramic Soup Mugs with Handles, 17 Oz Wide Large Coffee Mugs Set of 2, Mug for Latte, Cappuccino, Tea, White Coffee Mugs Dishwasher & Microwave Safe

FAQs About Can You Put A Mug In The Oven

How hot does coffee get?

Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Coffee is usually brewed between 195 and 215 degrees, and it’s best served anywhere between 120 and 175 degrees.

Can you reheat coffee in the oven?

Even if your coffee cups are oven-safe, you probably shouldn’t reheat your coffee in the oven. Your cup will heat up before the coffee and become too hot to touch. Try reheating your coffee in a pan on the stove over low heat; pull it off as soon as it starts to simmer. 
Alternatively, use a coffee mug warmer or thermos and avoid the problem altogether.

Related Articles:
Can You Reheat Coffee In A Kettle?
Is A Coffee Mug Equal To One Cup?
Can I Bring A Coffee Mug In My Carry On?

• 

  A E Inman is a direct response copywriter and humor blogger. When she’s not poking fun at her attempts to start a writing business, she can be found in the tea aisle of her local import store, arguing with strangers over the merits of rare tea varietals. She enjoys writing copy while consuming copious amounts of coffee and gunpowder tea.

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  Feb 18, 2021

How Do You Know if a Mug Is Oven-Safe?

To know if a mug is oven safe, look for the relevant label on the product or package. The symbol used for this purpose is three or more vertical wavy lines inside a square or rectangle resembling an oven. Many companies mention “Oven Safe” on the label.

If you don’t find the relevant manufacturer’s label or other explicit declaration, it is better to conclude that you cannot use the mug in an oven. You may delve into the materials and the other elements of the mug, but it is safer not to experiment.

When you want to bake small dessert portions, what mug should you choose? There are five oven-safe materials used to make coffee mugs. Let’s take a look at these materials.

Ceramics

Three types of ceramics are commonly used to make coffee mugs:

• Earthenware
• Stoneware
• Porcelain

Earthenware is the weakest among the three, but it’s sturdy enough to endure the high temperatures in an oven. All ceramics undergo multiple rounds of firing or burning during the manufacturing process.

The first transformation of clay into a ceramic involves firing at a temperature of up to 1945 °F (1063 °C).

• Earthenware can handle 1945 °F (1063 °C).
• Stoneware can withstand 2382 °F (1306 °C).
• Porcelain can endure more than 2300 °F (1260 °C).

Hence, all ceramics have exceptional heat resistance. However, there is a caveat.

Ceramics used for cookware and bakeware are thicker, stronger, and heavier than the relatively lightweight and slender earthenware, stoneware, or porcelain used for coffee mugs. You will feel and know the difference instantly if you are familiar with .

Borosilicate Glass

Ordinary glass tends to crack upon sudden exposure to high heat or significant temperature fluctuation, a phenomenon known as thermal shock.

Regular glass can fracture under temperature fluctuations ranging between 176 °F and 212 °F (80 °C and 100 °C). The low heat resistance is why glassware is typically not used as cooking utensils.

However, borosilicate glass can withstand temperature fluctuations of around 297 °F (165 °C). Quartz glass can endure a temperature fluctuation of as much as 1832 °F (1000 °C). If you have a coffee mug made from borosilicate or quartz glass, then you can safely use it in an oven.

Bone China

Bone china is a type of ceramic.

Unlike earthenware and stoneware that are made from clay, bone china includes bone ash and other materials. Many companies and people refer to bone china as a type of porcelain, but the two aren’t identical.

Likewise, fine china is different as it doesn’t contain bone ash.

Bone china is subjected to very high heat during manufacturing, although just short of how porcelain is fired. The manufacturing process itself lends exceptional heat resistance to bone china.

Unless a coffee mug comprises additional materials, bone china is oven-safe.

However, like ceramic coffee mugs, the bone china used for a particular mug design or style may be slender and thus fragile to an extent.

The heat resistance is proportionate to the hardness and tensile strength of bone china.

Also, you should factor in the increasing pressure thrust on these materials if you are baking or cooking. Thinner walls of coffee mugs may fail to endure the expansion of foods and increasing pressure, which means that they may break or shatter in an oven.

Metal & Stainless Steel

Metal and stainless steel are hard and durable materials and are perfect for thermoses and sturdy coffee mugs you could carry with you. Both and stainless steel are oven-safe unless any material is used for embellishment that cannot tolerate high temperatures.

However, neither metal nor stainless steel is microwave-safe. Metal reflects microwaves, so you cannot heat or cook anything in them. They won’t shatter or blow up in a microwave oven, though.

Silicone

Silicone coffee mugs are oven-safe. You may also use them in a microwave. Silicone lids are safe, too, for both conventional ovens and microwaves. However, you must still check if the silicone mugs have any embellishment, paint, or other materials that render them unsafe in an oven.

Things You’ll Need

• 2 large bowls
• 2 microwave-safe glass pans
• Spoon
• Dough hook
• Kitchen towel

• 2 large bowls
• Microwave-safe bowl
• Spoon
• Silicone microwave-safe cake pan

• Large bowl
• Small bowl
• Spoon
• Kitchen towel
• Rolling pin
• Fork
• Wire rack

• Microwave-safe bowl
• Large bowl
• Spoon
• Microwave-safe glass pan

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Is It Safe to Put a Mug in the Oven?

It might not always be safe to put a mug in the oven. Certain oven-safe materials might be okay, but coffee mugs often comprise more than just the base material, such as decorative elements, embellished handles and bases, glazing, and adhesives.

You must verify if these additional elements are oven-safe, too.

Take the example of coffee mugs made of metals or alloys. Stainless steel is oven-safe, like cast iron. However, if a stainless steel coffee mug has any plastic or wood, it is not safe in an oven.

Rubber, like those used as grips for pans, is usually oven-safe, but it suffers discoloration over time. Besides, not all types of rubber can endure the high temperatures in an oven.

Similarly, if a mug is a fusion of two or more materials, then you should verify whether each of those elements is oven-safe. The fusion method, sealant, or adhesive is another critical factor. If a coffee mug is painted or has some glaze that cannot tolerate high temperatures, it is not safe in an oven.

Coffee mugs may use different adhesives.

Epoxy has a heat tolerance range of 450 °F (232 °C) to 600 °F (316 °C) depending on how many parts of the resin are used and the curing method. Silicone adhesives tolerate 400 °F (204 °C) to 572 °F (300 °C).

Sodium silicate can endure up to 700 °F (371 °C).

Many coffee mugs have acrylic paint on them that begins to melt at around 266 °F (130 °C). Baking temperatures are usually between 300 °F and 570 °F (approx. 150 °C and 300 °C). If you intend to use a coffee mug for baking, an otherwise suitable material will become unsafe due to acrylic paint.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ teaspoons (7.4 mL) dry active yeast
• ½ cup (118.3 mL) warm water
• 2 cups (473.3 mL) warm milk
• 3 cups (709.8 mL) flour
• 1 tablespoon (14.8 mL) sugar
• 2 teaspoons (9.9 mL) salt
• ¼ teaspoon (1.2 mL) baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon (1.2 mL) warm water

• 3 ¼ cups (768.9 mL) flour
• 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) baking powder
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) baking soda
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) salt
• 2 sticks of butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups (473.2 mL) buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon (14.8 mL) vanilla

• ½ cup (118.3 mL) warm water
• 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) sugar
• 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) instant yeast
• 1 cup (236.6 mL) flour
• 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) salt
• 2 tablespoons (29.6 mL) cooking oil
• Pizza sauce
• Cheese
• Pizza toppings

• 3 fluid ounces (89 mL) unsweetened chocolate
• 1 stick of butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup (236.6 mL) sugar
• ½ cup (118.3 mL) flour
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) baking powder
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) salt

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   • You can find a silicone, microwave-safe cake pan online or in the baking section at your local shopping center.
   • If you want to bake a personalized cake in a mug, fill a mug a third full with batter instead.

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   • Place the bowl of dough in a warm place to help it rise faster.

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   • If your microwave didn’t come with a wire rack, look for one online or at your local shopping center.

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    Cut the pizza into slices and serve. Transfer the pizza from the wire rack to a plate using a spatula. Use a knife to divide the pizza into even slices.

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   • For an even better-tasting brownie, sprinkle chocolate chips on top of the batter before you bake it.

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Add New Question

• How do I make tea?

  

  If you mean in the microwave, you can just heat a cup of water for about 2 minutes (times will vary based on microwave wattage) and then place the teabag inside.

• Can you use regular chocolate instead of unsweetened?

  

  Yes, but you may want to add less sugar as a result. Try seeing if you can subtract the amount of sugar labeled on the nutrition facts relative to the serving size.

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About This Article

To make a cake in the microwave, add your dry ingredients to a large bowl and then mix in your wet ingredients with a hand mixer or spoon. Transfer the cake batter into a shallow microwave safe dish and microwave for 3-4 minutes. Then, check the cake with a toothpick to see if it is done. If the toothpick comes out wet, continue microwaving in 30-second increments. You can also make a single serving of cake by adding cake batter to a large coffee mug and microwaving for 50 seconds or until done. For ideas on how to frost and decorate your cake, scroll down!

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About This Article

To bake bread in the microwave, combine the yeast, water, and milk in a bowl and set it aside. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, sugar, and salt together. Next, combine the flour and yeast mixtures, beat them until a smooth dough forms, and let the dough rise for 1 hour. Then, separate the dough into 2 greased pans and let it rise for another 45 minutes. Finally, microwave each pan for 6 minutes on high, rotating at the 3 minute mark, and let the bread cool before slicing it! For tips on baking cakes, pizza, and brownies in your microwave, read on!

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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 131,746 times.

Things You’ll Need

• Mixing bowl
• Forks
• Spoons
• Electric mixer
• Microwave
• Microwave safe baking dish
• Rubber spatula

About This Article

To make cake in a mug, start by spraying the inside of a microwave-safe mug with cooking spray, which will prevent the cake from sticking to the mug. Then, combine flour, sugar, and baking powder in the mug. Once you’ve combined the dry ingredients, stir in milk, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil. Finally, microwave the cake for 90 seconds and let it cool before eating it. To get more tips from our Baker co-author, like how to make a lemon or red velvet cake, keep reading the article!

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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,126,297 times.

Things You’ll Need

• 12 to 16-ounce (350 to 475-mL) microwave-safe mug.
• Fork
• Spoon
• Microwave
• Cooking spray

Reader Success Stories

• 

  Mar 30, 2022

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons self-rising flour
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• 2 tablespoons chocolate chips

• 3/4 cups margarine
• 3/4 cups sugar
• 2/3 cup self-rising flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons of milk
• 3 medium eggs
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1. 

   Create the cake mix. Add two tablespoons of brown sugar or honey to the mug. Add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and then 3 tablespoons (44.4 ml) of flour.

   • It is okay to use regular flour if you don’t have self-rising, but the cake will end up more like a brownie in texture.

2. 

   Crack an egg into the mug. The great thing about mug cakes is that there is virtually no cleanup; just toss the shell in the compost or trash.

3. 

   Add butter. Soften a stick of butter on the countertop and scoop a tablespoon into the mug. You can use salted or unsalted butter, or margarine.

4. 

   Add a tablespoon or two of chocolate chips (optional). Adding the chocolate chips will create a chocolate flavored mug cake. If you prefer a vanilla cake, you can add an additional tablespoon of vanilla extract instead.

5. 

   Mix it all together. Use a spoon to stir up the contents of the mug. Stir until the chocolate chips are folded in, or all the contents are combined. Don’t worry about the top edges of the mug getting messy, your cake will rise up in the microwave anyway.

6. 

   • Take care not to overcook. If you microwave the cake for too long, it will dry out. It shouldn’t need to be cooked for any longer than 2 minutes.
   • Don’t worry about the toothpick creating a hole in the cake, you won’t be able to see that when you frost it later.

7. 

   Let the cake sit. Microwaves often don’t distribute heat as evenly as ovens do. Let the cake sit on the counter for 1-2 minutes after baking, giving time for the heat to distribute throughout the mug.

8. 

   Enjoy! Take a spoon and dig in. If you’d like, frost and decorate the cake first.

   • Be careful when removing the mug from the microwave. Use a hot pot holder or a towel to lift it out. It will probably be too hot to grab.
   • Top your cake with a scoop of ice cream for an even sweeter treat.

1. 

   Mix the cake batter. In a large bowl, combine 3/4 cup softened butter or margarine with 3/4 cup sugar and 2/3 cup flour. Stir together with a spoon or rubber spatula.

   • It’s okay to use regular flour if you don’t have self-rising, but the cake will end up more like a brownie in texture.

2. 

   Add in the rest of the ingredients. Pour in 3 tablespoons of milk. Crack in 3 medium eggs, and add 1 teaspoon of baking powder and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

   • You can use whole, fat free, 2%, or whatever type of milk you prefer.

3. 

   Flavor the cake. For a chocolate cake, add 1/3 cup cocoa powder. For a vanilla cake, add another teaspoon of vanilla extract.

4. 

   Mix together. Stir well with a fork or use an electric mixer to mix for about 4-5 minutes or until smooth. If you have a food processor, you can add all of the ingredients to the food processor for about 60 seconds to mix instead.

5. 

   Spoon the cake batter into a microwave safe dish. This is important––never use a metal baking pan for microwave baking.

   • A shallow dish will probably give you the best results.

6. 

   • Check to see if the cake is baked by sticking a toothpick straight down into the center. The toothpick should come out clean. If there is gooey cake residue on the toothpick, put the cake back in the microwave and cook it in 1 minute increments until done.
   • Take care not to overcook. If you microwave the cake for too long, it will likely dry out.

7. 

   Enjoy! Served warm, this cake is super moist and totally irresistible. Top with frosting and decorate if you’d like.

1. 

   Pick whatever frosting you desire. You can use store bought, or make your own frosting. Try chocolate, vanilla, lemon, or any flavor that you like the most. Experiment with different flavors to find your favorite.

   • Cool the cake fully before trying to put on icing, or the icing will melt.
   • Make sufficient frosting. It would be better to end up with leftover frosting than to run out before you are done decorating.

2. 

   Frost the cake. Have the frosting at room temperature. Use a long rubber spatula or spoon to spread frosting over the surface of your cake.

3. 

   • You can substitute the strawberries for fresh mango, banana, or any softer fruit you desire.
   • If you’re using fresh fruit, add it at the last minute. If the fruit is wet, it could cause the frosting to move or melt slightly.^[4]
     

4. 

   Add some sprinkles. Sprinkles are a fun way to make a colorful confetti cake. You can also add a pinch of sprinkles to your cake batter before baking.

5. 

   Pack on the sweets. Sprinkle a handful of mini marshmallows on top of the cake for a super sweet addition. Dust the marshmallows with a pinch of powdered sugar.

6. 

   Add extra chocolate. If you want a chocolate cake with some crunch, break your favorite candy bar into small pieces and drop some on top of the cake. You could sprinkle chocolate chips instead.

7. 

   Press in coconut shavings. Coconut can be baked in a cake or used to decorate it too. It’s a healthier version than sugar sprinkles or sweets and looks great on a cake. Cover the cake in a light frosting and then press coconut into it.

   • Coconut is so light it can be added to many cakes, from lighter flavors like vanilla and lemon to richer cakes like chocolate and carrot cake.

8. 

   Dust the cake with nuts. You can cover the whole cake, top to bottom or you can sprinkle some on top of the cake.

   • If you’re making a chocolate cake, sweet pecans be a good match.

Add New Question

• Is it important to add vanilla in the cake?

  

  Not necessary but it gives the cake a nice smell and flavor.

• Can I use a glass bowl to bake the cake?

  

  Yes, you can. Glass bowls and cups are the best alternative for microwave safe dishware.

• How long do I microwave a store-bought cake mix to make a cake in a mug?

  

  Depending on the watts amount of your microwave, microwave for no longer than 1:30. It may be a good idea to stand and watch your cake and end the microwave when it is fully done. It is always better to cook less as you can always cook more but it’s not possible to undo an overdone cake.

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• To finish cakes baked in the microwave, always leave them to stand for a minute or two. This allows the heat to be distributed evenly around the cake.

• The total preparation, baking, and cleanup time should clock-in at about 20 minutes. That means you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the delicious dessert you’ve prepared.

Show More Tips

• Very hot, handle with care.

Oven-Unsafe Coffee Mugs

There are four materials used to make coffee mugs that are unsafe in an oven. Let’s take a quick look at these.

Paper

Coffee cups made from paper aren’t oven-safe.

While paper can’t endure high temperatures, the glue and plastic films used in such cups are toxic when subjected to oven or microwave heat. Most paper cups are disposable, and you shouldn’t reuse them unless a particular variety is washable.

Plastics

Government regulators and industries use resin id codes to classify plastics. Recyclability and other properties, such as microwaveable or not, are based on the code.

There are 7 resin id codes for all commonly used plastics: 

• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
• High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Polystyrene (PS)
• Other plastics

No plastic is oven-safe. Propylene (PP) is microwave-safe, as well as HDPE and LDPE with resin id codes 2 and 4, respectively.

PET and PC with codes 1 and 7 are not ideal for microwave ovens. PVC and PS with id codes 3 and 6 are unsuitable for microwaves. Resin code 7 is for miscellaneous plastics. Any plastic in this category is neither oven-safe nor microwaveable.

Like paper, plastic coffee cups are also meant to be disposable. Even if a hard plastic doesn’t readily melt in a microwave, it can exude toxic fumes that will not only make a food or drink inedible but shall also be harmful upon inhalation.

Plastic bags used in baking ovens have code 7. Such plastic is microwave-safe. But any plastic in this category that doesn’t explicitly say that it’s oven-safe should not be presumed to be so.

Plastics with code 7 may be a bio-plastic, a new kind of plastic, or a combination of different materials that haven’t been clearly defined. A plastic may contain polycarbonate, or there could be a presence of Bisphenol-A (BPA). Both are harmful.

Melamine

Melamine is widely used to make utensils, dinnerware, and other kitchen essentials.

The material is a nitrogen-based hard plastic and durable for many applications. However, it’s not an ideal cooking vessel. Melamine isn’t oven-safe. Also, you shouldn’t microwave melamine mugs or cups until you receive more clarity from the . 

Polystyrene Foam (Styrofoam)

Polystyrene foam is cheap plastic. Styrofoam shot to fame due to its ability to keep coffee warm.

In reality, polystyrene foam is a toxic substance, and you shouldn’t use it to store or carry hot and acidic foods. Not only is polystyrene foam oven-unsafe, whether or not you may microwave coffee mugs made of the material is also a grey area.

Polystyrene is considered microwave-safe if the product label or package says so.

Coffee mugs made from polystyrene are usually disposable. While the material may endure some heat it’s exposed to in the microwave, substances used in the manufacturing may seep into the drink or food, and the risk is grave.

Conclusion

Safety is paramount. Always verify if the material is oven-safe. Also, not every oven-safe coffee mug can endure high temperatures with equal ease. Choose appropriate temperature settings depending on the material you have.

References

References

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