This light and airy vanilla keto 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!
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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 some of my other mug cake recipes below.
- Keto Peanut Butter Mug Cake4 Minutes
- Keto Chocolate Mug Cake4 Minutes
- Keto Lemon Mug Cake3 Minutes
- Keto Mug Cheesecake (Microwave Recipe)8 Minutes
Keto 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.
Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating below!
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Recipe
Keto Vanilla Mug Cake
from Sugar Free LondonerNote: The servings slider only changes the first amount in each line and not any subsequent amounts. Please make your own calculations where necessary.
Equipment
- Microwave
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon almond flour use only 1 ½ if super-fine
- 1 tbsp coconut flour
- 1 tbsp butter melted
- 1 egg medium, room temperature
- 1 tbsp granulated sweetener
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp baking powder
Instructions
- Stir together the dry ingredients in a 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 @ 900W. (Baking times for different power levels are included in the notes below).
- Enjoy straight from the mug or invert onto a plate.
Video
Notes
- 600W = low power. 100 seconds.
- 800W = 90 seconds.
- 900W = 80 seconds.
- 1000W = 70 seconds.
Margaret Sonnemann
Very yum! Btw, Are your tablespoons UK (4 tsp) or US (3 tsp)? I’m using UK but I’m aware that a lot of Americans don’t know there’s a difference!
Katrin Nürnberger
I am using US tablespoons so 1 tbsp = 3 teaspoons.
Georgia Gidney
Hi
Thanks for the recipe I will be trying it soon !
Would this work with egg whites ?
Thank you
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes, that should work just as well.
sue
These little 'cakes' are a life saver ! They are around the same size as you would get in some restaurants. I add blueberries or raspberries and other flavourings such as lemon zest or almond extract ,turn them out onto a plate and add a little cream or yoghurt. My husband has a sweet tooth and we have given up carbs and sugar, so these are a regular feature on our menu!
Julia
I'm not sure what could have gone wrong with my batter. I followed the recipe exactly, but for the egg, I used sour cream as a substitute. However, the batter didn't seem to cook at all. Could using sour cream instead of egg be the reason for this outcome?
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes. The egg binds the ingredients and it also creates a fluffy texture.
Cj
If you altered the recipe and it didn't work out, it's not really fair that you gave the recipe only a 1 star rating. Maybe, make it the correct way and then revisit your rating?
Sandra Alston
Wow! Have just made this and am eating it warm from the mug, it really hits the spot, thanks
Dee Borcherding
Hi Katrin!
I don't have coconut flour. Can I use whole wheat flour or just more almond flour, & what measurement of each would you suggest? Sounds yummmmmmy!
Thanks much,
Dee B.
Katrin Nürnberger
Try using 4 tablespoons almond flour in total potentially 4.5-5 for ground almonds). It should work with a similar amount of whole wheat flour. I haven’t tried either option, but this would be what I would go for.
MM
Hi, I’ve been making this often lately. I just use 3 tablespoons of almond flour and it works out perfectly. I also use Pompeian BAKE olive oil (has a neutral flavor) to make it healthier and it’s delicious.
Fiona
I just wondered if this sponge recipe would work for the sponge base of a trifle if I turned it out and then cubed it?
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes, absolutely. I use a microwave sponge in my strawberry shortcake trifle and is works so well.
Grace Macwell
This is the very first mug cake I ever tried to make. It is absolutely perfect and so delicious! Thank you so much for providing this wonderful recipe!
Katrin Nürnberger
I am so happy you enjoyed this mug cake!
SUSAN
Thank you Katrin for this recipe. I thought I had seen all your recipes on your site and newsletters. I've been wanting to make a vanilla mug cake. I have a couple recipes. But not tried any yet. I'm not a big fan of eggs in a mug cake, but I will be trying this recipe. It looks so beautiful in your pictures. I buy pasture raised eggs, sometimes there is a smaller egg in the carton. Can't wait to try it. Can't give a rating until I try it. Will update when I can get one made. Vanilla mug cake recipes aren't as popular as flavored ones. I was so glad to see this one. Makes me want to do it right now, but I must get my work done first then maybe I can. Definitely, this week I will try it. I want to make that chocolate avocado cake so bad. But, I only have an air oven. I have made a couple cakes that came out very well. But not everything does. Definitely trying this one soon.
Katrin Nürnberger
Keep me posted! I would love to hear how this recipe turns out for you.
Kathy
I have this yummy mug cake quite often when my sweet tooth starts craving something sweet. I do add a tbs cream cheese; makes it a bit more moist & also add sugar free chocolate chips & top with strawberries slices. YUMMY!