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, and only 2.5g net carbs!
READER REVIEW: "Oh my God this is unreal. So so easy and quick. I had it with strawberries and cream and it was just like a large slice of sponge cake. Definitely a keeper." (Geraldine)
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Ingredients
Here's what you need to make this easy low carb mug cake. I've included some substitution ideas. For ingredient amounts, see the recipe card.
- Almond flour - I'm using ground almonds. This is equivalent to regular 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
It's really easy to make a keto mug cake. Here are the basic steps. See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
STEP 1
Stir together the dry ingredients in a small bowl - almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, sweetener. Take care to break up any lumps.
STEP 2
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.
STEP 3
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!
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 tablespoons of 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!
Recipe FAQs
Yes. To make this recipe in the oven, bake at 180 C / 350F for 12-15 minutes.
Yes. Use 4 tablespoons of almond flour in total and omit the coconut flour.
Make my coconut flour mug cake recipe instead.
This mug cake stays fresh in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. But since it's so quick to make, I always prefer to eat it straight away.
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
Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating below!
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Recipe
Keto Vanilla Mug Cake
Equipment
- Microwave
Video
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.
Notes
- 600W = low power. 100 seconds.
- 800W = 90 seconds.
- 900W = 80 seconds.
- 1000W = 70 seconds.
Janice
Delicious! I've been making this every weekend for months as I love anything vanilla. So easy and quick.
Julieta
OMG I LOVE THIS! If you are keto or sugar free and are struggling to find I recipe that is actually legit. This is for you. I could not believe it when I first bite into this. Even my non keto friends loved this. They could not believe it was keto... and... neither can I!
Lindsey Roche
I have made this cake and I added some freeze dried raspberries to it. I absolutely loved it. Thank you so much for sharing your recipes
Jo
This is my go to mug cake. Light, fluffy and filling!
Ann Cannon
Why does it say 2.5 net carbs then at the bottom where it says nutritional details, say 5.1 carbs?
Katrin Nürnberger
Hi Ann, it's 5.1g total carbs minus fibre = 2.5 net carbs.
Katherine
This mug cake is sooooo good! And it doesn't stick to the side of my ceramic bowl like other recipes. I think it would be perfect with a dollop of cream since it's easy to dry out before cooling down, or maybe I can add a bit of water. Otherwise it's super fluffy and you'd never guess it comes from the microwave!
P. Coffman
So easy to make, less than 2 minutes to bake in microwave & is delicious with fruit, plus just 2.5 total net carbs!!
Ox
That was seriously amazing.
Thanks very much!!
Lori Bennett
If using an oven to bake it what temperature and time please?
Katrin Nürnberger
I would bake at 180C/350F. It will probably take between 12 and 15 minutes
Pattianne
New to your recipes but they’re the best I’ve tried so far!! can’t wait to keep trying more. Thank you