Keto Vanilla Mug Cake

This light and airy keto vanilla mug cake satisfies all urgent cake cravings! It's ready in just 4 minutes from start to finish and comes in at only 2.5g net carbs. We love it as a quick everyday sugar free dessert. With its fluffy crumb it is delicious as is, but I've included lots of ideas how to jazz it up in the post! Gluten free and low carb.

Baking proper cakes is lots of fun - if you have the time and energy for it. But some days I really just want to eat one portion of cake - quick. I don't want to turn on the oven, I don't want complicated prep, and I don't want 11 more slices tempting me over the next few days.

That's where mug cakes come in! This vanilla keto mug cake is so easy to make and just hits the spot. I love that you can stir it together with a fork. And that it cooks in just 80 seconds. It's an almost instant treat full of flavor!

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Best container for mug cakes
• Instructions
• Baking times for different power levels
• Oven Instructions
• Recipe Variations
• More mug cake recipes
• Recipe

Ingredients

Here's what you need to make this easy low carb mug cake. I've included some substitution ideas.

• Almond flour - I'm using ground almonds. This is equivalent to regular almond flour in the US. Ground almond are coarser than super fine almond flour. If you want to use super-fine, reduce the amount to 1 ½ tbsp.
• Coconut flour - The mix of coconut and almond flour works really well in gluten-free, low carb recipes.
• Butter - You could replace this with coconut oil for a dairy free version.
• Egg - Use a medium egg if you can. I did try making this recipe with a large egg and found it a bit eggy.
• Sweetener - I used a granulated erythritol monk fruit sweetener blend that's a 1:1 sugar substitute. Allulose and xylitol would work as well. 1 tablespoon was just right for me, but if you prefer a sweeter cake add more.
• Baking powder and vanilla extract.

Best container for mug cakes

I've had my fair share of microwave mug cake accidents! If your mug, ramekin or dessert bowl is too small, the batter will overflow as it rises and make a mighty mess.

It's important that your vessel has a volume of at least 200 millilitres and is wider rather than narrow and tall. Mugs or ramekins should not be filled with batter more than half. Always, always have a few fingers of free space between the batter and the rim.

Instructions

This section contains step-by-step instructions and photos that show how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Stir together the dry ingredients in a small bowl - almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, sweetener. Take care to break up any lumps.

In a second bowl, whisk the egg using a fork. Then add the melted and cooled butter plus the vanilla extract and whisk until combined.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir until a smooth batter forms.

Grease a mug or ramekin with butter and fill in the batter. Microwave for 80 seconds @ 900 Watts.

Enjoy straight from the mug or invert onto a plate. I served it with a dollop of sugar free whipped cream.

Baking times for different power levels

My microwave operates at 900 watts and my cake took 80 seconds to cook. Here's a quick overview of recommended baking times for this low carb vanilla mug cake recipe: 

• 600W = low power. 100 seconds. 
• 800W = 90 seconds.
• 900W = 80 seconds. 
• 1000W = 70 seconds. 

Check the cake 10 seconds before it's finished and see how it's getting on. If it's still undercooked, add increments of 10 seconds. Just keep in mind that cakes continue to cook in the hot cup after you take them out. So don't be tempted to overcook!

Oven Instructions

To make this recipe in the oven, bake at 180 C / 350F for 12-15 minutes.

Recipe Variations

Here is how you could jazz up this keto mug cake:

• Stir berries into the batter - blueberries, raspberries or chopped strawberries. Crushed nuts such as pecans or walnuts would also be great
• Add sugar free chocolate chips or chipped 90% chocolate
• Turn it into a Victoria sponge cake! Turn it out onto a plate, slice in half and add sugar free strawberry jam and whipping cream
• Top with a simple keto cream cheese frosting - 2 tablespoon cream cheese mixed with a splash of vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon powdered sweetener
• Add 1-2 teaspoon of cocoa powder for a chocolate version
• Slather it with Vegan Keto Caramel Sauce!

More mug cake recipes

Love quick & easy sugar free cakes? Me too! See my other mug cake recipes below. Simply click on the image titles to go straight to the post.

Triple Chocolate Mug Cake - A deliciously moist nut free keto chocolate mug cake studded with sugar free chocolate chips and topped with a creamy chocolate sauce.

Keto Peanut Butter Mug Cake - Sometimes only a moist, fluffy chocolate peanut butter mug cake will do! This is a super popular recipe.

Microwave Mug Cheesecake - The perfect sugar free dessert if you crave cheesecake but don't want to make a large cake.

Sugar Free Lemon Mug Cake - Big flavor, light texture and with a deliciously zingy lemon glaze. 

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Recipe

First published May 2021. Updated August 2022.