Keto Mug Cake Recipe

This rich and moist Keto Mug Cake is the perfect dessert to eat when craving sweets on a keto. Quick and easy to make, this almond flour mug cake comes together in just 2 minutes.

“What if I crave cake but I’m on a keto?…Can I eat sweets during keto? How do you fix a sweet tooth on keto?“

If those are your questions, I’m happy to tell you that eating delicious desserts is possible also if you are trying to cut carbs. And no worry, I’m not saying to buy expensive diet foods at the grocery store. With the right recipes and the right ingredients you’ll be able to make all your favorite treats at home. Same taste, but sugar-free and keto!

Over the years I have come to master the art of low carb baking and today I’m happy to share all my creations with you. Keto fudgy brownies, keto banana bread and now even even keto cake in a mug, here on my blog there is a recipe for everyone!

Why you will love this recipe?

• Moist and delicious. Dig your spoon into a heaven of pleasure. This single serve keto cake is soft, moist and insanely rich of flavors.
• Quick and easy. Made in a mug in just 2 minutes, this recipe is an effortless way to satisfy your cravings for sweets.
• Simple ingredients. You’ll only need a handful of basic ingredients that you probably already have at home. And if something is still missing, I have included plenty of replacement options. 
• Keto and sugar-free. Made with almond flour and no sugar, this mug cake recipe fits the need of low carb dieters.  
• Customizable and versatile. Mix in some chocolate chips, nut butter or cocoa powder and you’ll end up with a cake tailor-made to your preferences.

The ingredients and substitutes

Egg. Use a large fresh egg. This is key for making a keto mug cake that is rich and moist without banana, applesauce or sugars. In this recipe, the role of egg is to bind the batter while enhancing taste and texture.

The closest low carb alternatives are flaxseed egg and vegan egg replacements. Mashed banana or applesauce will indeed work, but at the cost of additional carbs. 

Almond flour. With under 17 g of carbohydrates per 100 g, almond flour is a gluten-free low carb alternative to grain based flours. This is by far the best option for keto mug cakes. Not only it produces a moist texture similar to normal flour, but it also adds a delicious flavor. You can purchase it from the store or make your own at home by grinding nuts into a fine powder.

The best replacements for almond flour are hazelnut flour, peanut flour and sunflower seed flour (great for nut allergies). You can also make keto mug cake with coconut flour, but you will need a lesser amount (about 1 1/2 tablespoon instead of 1/4 cup). I still recommend nut or seed flours; desserts baked with coconut flour tend to be slightly dry. For a high protein treat, replace 1 tablespoon of flour with protein powder. 

Keto granular sweetener. I recommend erythritol, it substitutes sugar 1:1 with no net carbs and no weird taste. Other great options are xylitol, allulose and keto monk fruit sweetener. 

If keto sweeteners are out of reach, use whatever granular sweetener you have at hand. Brown sugar, cane sugar, coconut sugar or confectionary sugar will still work, but your dessert won’t be low carb anymore. 

Butter. A great ally to keto dieters, butter makes the magic happen. It allows you to prepare a single serve low carb cake that is as moist and delicious as the original. For the best taste and nutrients, use grass-fed butter.

This ingredient can easily be replaced with nondairy butter or coconut oil. Do not omit the fat component or your mug dessert will come out dry and tasteless.

Additional ingredients

• Baking powder. This ensures your keto cake in a mug rises and gets soft. Replace with a hint of baking soda if necessary, but don’t omit. 
• Vanilla extract. You can add a splash of vanilla extract to add taste and make an irresistible low carb treat. 
• Salt. The role of salt is to balance sweetness and bring out all flavors. 
• Chocolate chips. Optional but recommended, choose sugar-free chocolate chips or extra dark chocolate with minimal carbohydrates.

How to make keto mug cake

Make the batter. In a microwave-safe mug, beat the egg and combine with melted butter, vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Whisk until combined. Once smooth, add almond flour, keto granular sweetener and baking powder. Mix all ingredients until you get a smooth mug cake batter and fold through the chocolate chips, if desired.

To cook it, you have two options: the microwave method and the baking method.

• Microwave. Place the mug in the microwave and cook on high for approximately 45 seconds to 1 minute, or until the cake has risen and is set in the center. Microwaves may vary, so adjust the cooking time accordingly. Carefully remove the mug from the microwave and allow the cake to cool for about a minute before serving.
• Bake. Transfer the batter to an oven-safe ramekin and bake in hot oven at 180°C (360°F) for 12 to 18 minutes. Enjoy warm, on its own or with your favorite toppings.

5 different ways to make keto mug cake

• Dark chocolate. Add one tablespoon of cocoa powder and adjust with a splash of milk in case the batter gets too thick. Nothing better than keto chocolate mug cake!
• Cookie dough. Mix in a tablespoon of your favorite nut butter, I recommend peanut butter and almond butter. Or use sunflower seed butter if you are allergic to nuts.
• Banana bread. Elevate your taste experience by incorporating a quarter of a ripe mashed banana, a hint of cinnamon and and a handful of crushed walnuts if desired.
• Pumpkin pie. Perfect for a cozy Fall dessert, mix in about one and a half tablespoon pumpkin puree and a mix of pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves).
• High protein. Replace 1 tablespoon of the almond flour with protein powder and adjust with a splash of milk if the batter is too dry or with some more almond flour if it is too liquid.

Serving ideas

For a rich and fluffy almond flour mug cake, I serve it directly after making. When warm, this cake is incredibly moist and the chocolate chips deliciously gooey. You can enjoy it alone or with extra toppings. Here are some ideas for you:

• Peanut butter
• A scoop of keto ice cream
• More keto chocolate chips
• A dollop of Greek yogurt
• Low carb whipped cream
• A drizzle of sugar-free maple syrup

Why is my mug cake not fluffy?

There are five main reasons why mug cakes come out dry and hard. Keep on reading, take notice and keep them in mind next time you get cooking.

• You may be using the wrong flour. Stick to almond flour whenever possible. Differently from coconut flour, this is the best low carb alternative to starchy flours. 
• You may be skipping the butter. Think twice before omitting butter or oil to save calories. A fat component is needed if you want to get the perfect cake texture. 
• You may be skipping the egg. As before, the use of egg is a nonnegotiable step in making a good almond flour mug cake.
• You may be overcooking the cake. As simple as it sounds, the longer you microwave (or bake) it, the drier it gets. 
• You may be eating at the wrong time. Mug cakes taste better if served warm, right after making. This is when the texture is at the moistest.

Recipe tips

• Use high quality almond flour. Almond flour is the best low carb flour to make cakes that are as soft and most as the original. Select a good one and you’ll be amazed at the result.  
• Do not skip butter. Butter is essential because it gives keto mug desserts a moist texture and extra taste. In case you don’t want to use it, replace with melted coconut oil or dairy-free butter. 
• Customize your dessert. Experiment and stir in the batter some extra ingredients such as keto chocolate chips, peanut butter, walnuts or pecans.  
• Do not overcook. Microwave for about 45 seconds and check the texture. Should it still be raw, microwave for additional 10 to 20 minutes, but no more than that. If cooked for too long, mug cakes get though and dry.
• Serve warm. For a soft and moist texture, be sure to enjoy your low carb mug cake right after making. On it’s own or with some toppings.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

More low carb desserts

• Frozen protein dessert
• Greek yogurt brownies
• Keto banana bread
• Protein cookies with Greek yogurt
• Keto brownie mug cake
• Protein cookie dough
• Low calorie cheesecake
• Cottage cheese chocolate ice cream
• 3 ingredient chocolate mug cake