This keto mug cake is deliciously rich, moist and the perfect easy low carb dessert that’s ready in less than 10 minutes. Only 6 ingredients for this single serving recipe and perfect for those late night chocolate cake cravings. Sugar free, paleo, gluten free and just 4 NET carbs per serving.
REASONS WE LOVE THIS MUG CAKE:
This keto cake recipe is made with just a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry and takes less than 10 minutes to make.
If you’ve been missing a real chocolate cake, this gooey keto mug cake is exactly what you need! It’s moist, rich, chocolate-y and definitely satisfies that devil’s chocolate cake craving but without the sugar or the carbs.
And the best part? This portable chocolate lava cake is also gluten free, sugar free, paleo and ready in just a few minutes!
It’s our go-to chocolate cake recipe and totally satisfies that brownie craving. All you have to do is pop it in the microwave and you’re ready to enjoy a real dessert.
My husband is a self-proclaimed chocoholic and can make this almond flour mug cake on his own anytime he’s craving something sweet. It’s perfect for any day of the week when you don’t want an entire cake.
Plus, it’s low carb and keto friendly at just 4 grams NET CARBS per serving.
SO WHAT IS A MUG CAKE?
Mug cakes are the best way to whip up a chocolate cake in a jiffy. They are single-serving cakes that you make in a mug and take less than 10 minutes to put together, from start to finish. Gooey mug cakes are perfect when you are craving something sweet after dinner and don’t want to bake an entire cake.
Easy DIY mug cakes are the quickest and easiest dessert you can make! Plus it’s practically no bake – just grab your favorite mug along with a spoon and you’re good to go! If you’re a mug cake fan, be sure to check out our Carrot Mug Cake, Blueberry Mug Cake, Lemon Mug Cake, Strawberry Mug Cake, Banana Mug Cake, Vanilla Mug Cake, and our yummy Chocolate Mug Cake.
WHAT IS KETO MUG CAKE?
A Keto Mug Cake is just like a regular chocolate mug cake with a lot less carbs. For this keto chocolate mug cake, we used almond flour instead of all purpose flour and monk fruit instead of sugar.
INGREDIENTS YOU NEED:
Mug cakes are typically made with a combination of all purpose flour, butter and granulated sugar.
Since we want to make a sugar free mug cake, our recipe for the best keto mug cake is made with just 6 main ingredients (some affiliate links included):
- Eggs: help to give the mug cake structure and bind everything together
- Ghee: adds flavor & moisture. You can also use coconut oil or grass-fed butter if you’re not dairy free.
- Powdered monk fruit sweetener: a low-glycemic sugar-free sweetener that resembles the taste of powdered sugar but is keto-friendly, diabetic-friendly and paleo friendly. If you don’t have powdered monk fruit sweetener, you can swap with another low carb powdered sweetener like SWERVE, erythritol or stevia. And if you are not low carb, confectioners’ sugar would work as well.
- Almond Flour: I used almond flour for this chocolate mug cake. Be sure to use superfine blanched almond flour and not almond meal. Almond flour is the main nut flour providing most of the bulk. Measure properly using the spoon and level method. If you are allergic to nuts, I’ve also used coconut flour successfully but with only a third of the amount.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder OR cacao powder
- Just a 1/2 tsp Baking powder: helps the mug cake rise
- OPTIONAL: Vanilla extract, salt and sugar free chocolate chips (Lily’s): makes this low carb mug cake delicious and brings out the flavors from all the other ingredients.
HOW TO MAKE KETO MUG CAKE:
Melt the butter in a large (14 oz) heat-safe mug or (12-14 oz) ramekin in the microwave.
Whisk in the almond flour, sweetener, 1/2 tsp baking powder, egg, and vanilla (if using) until the batter is completely mixed together and has no clumps.
Place mug on a small plate (in case of spillage) and microwave for about 60-75 seconds. Check on the cake to see that it’s done. (You may need to microwave for less or an additional 5-10 seconds depending on how powerful your microwave is.)
Serve with coconut whipped cream, melted chocolate, berries or chopped nuts.
TYPE OF MUG TO USE
You want to use a large (14 oz) mug or (12 oz) ramekin to prevent overflowing as the cake will rise quite high during cooking before sinking back down.
TIPS TO MAKE THE BEST KETO MUG CAKE:
- You should use a wide microwave-safe mug (14 oz) or 12 oz ramekin that can hold at least 12 oz of liquid. If you don’t have a large mug or ramekin – you can also place the mug on top of a plate in the microwave to catch any spillage
- Mix the batter well until there are no clumps
- The cook time will vary according to your microwave – check after 50 seconds then pop it back in the microwave in 10 second increments if not done – do not overcook or mug cake will be dry
- Lightly coat ramekin with ghee or baking spray if you want to bake the mug cake in the oven.
HOW DO YOU BAKE A CAKE IN A MUG?
TO MAKE A BROWNIE MUG CAKE IN THE OVEN:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Mix all the ingredients together in a medium bowl or measuring cup. Transfer the butter to a large 12 oz ramekin. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
CAN I BAKE A MUG CAKE IN A MICROWAVEABLE BOWL?
Yes, you can mix all the ingredients for this flourless mug cake in a microwaveable bowl or ramekin.
CAN I HAVE CHOCOLATE ON KETO?
Yes! You can eat chocolate on the Ketogenic Diet. Everybody’s carb tolerance is different but it helps if you choose higher quality chocolates that have a high cacao content, and zero cane sugar. Our favorite chocolate bars are Lily’s – they have several flavors with great flavor, great texture, and no added sugar!
HOW MANY CARBS IN A MUG CAKE?
The macros for one chocolate lava cake is:
- 408 calories
- 4g NET Carbs
- 10g Total Carbs
- 6g Fiber
- 14g Protein
- 35g Fat
Disclaimer: We used an online calculator for reference based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your percent daily values total may vary and to ensure accuracy, please refer to your preferred calculator.
SUGAR FREE TOPPING IDEAS:
You can top your keto cake:
- melted sugar free chocolate
- whip up some heavy cream to make whipped cream
- coconut whipped cream
- cream cheese frosting
- strawberries
- mixed berries
- chopped nuts.
MUG CAKE VARIATIONS:
There are tons of delicious mug cakes you can make when that dessert craving hits.
There are vanilla mug cakes, snickerdoodle mug cakes, peanut butter mug cakes, lemon mug cakes and chocolate chip mug cakes!
Low Carb Chocolate Chip Cookies
This low carb keto mug cake is deliciously rich, moist, chocolatey and ready in less than 10 minutes. Only 6 ingredients for this single serving recipe and perfect for those late night chocolate cake cravings. Sugar free, paleo, gluten free and just 4 NET carbs per serving.
- 2 tablespoons ghee , (can sub grass-fed butter or coconut oil for dairy-free)
- 3 tablespoons superfine blanched almond flour
- 1.5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons powdered monk fruit sweetener
- 1/2 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Lily's no sugar-added chocolate chips OR chopped chocolate
Melt the butter in a large (14 oz) heat-safe mug or (12-14 oz) ramekin in the microwave.
Whisk in the almond flour, sweetener, baking powder, egg, vanilla and salt (if
using) until the batter is completely mixed together and has no clumps. Top with chocolate chips, if desired.
Place mug on a small plate (in case of spillage) and microwave for about **50-65 seconds. Check on the cake to see that it's done. (You may need to microwave for less or an additional 5-10 seconds depending on how powerful your microwave is.)
Serve with coconut whipped cream, melted chocolate, berries or chopped nuts.
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Lightly coat a large 12 oz ramekin and transfer batter into the ramekin. Bake for 11-14 minutes or until cake is set.
**The cook time will vary according to your microwave - check after 50 seconds then pop it back in the microwave in 10 second increments if not done - do not overcook or mug cake will be dry
Alan Lindquist -
I made this and it was fast and to my surprise very good indeed. I’m going to use a bigger mug and double the recipe and cook time. This is my go to mug cake also keto and good for diabetes
Heather -
I made this tonight. It was amazing! Completely shocked that it is wheat flour free! I used Swerve Confectioniers. It tastes like real chocolate cake! I added Lily’s dark chocoloate chips (too many) and it was a total dream come true. I made a single serving for myself and then the kids caught me, so I doubled it in my 4 cup pyrex and microwaved for 2 minutes. they goobled it up. This is will be my go to sweet tooth fix! Thanks!
Sarah -
This was amazing! Thank you for a delicious mug cake we can make daily now!
Megan - The Emotional Baker -
This may be the best mug cake I’ve ever seen!
Emma -
I’ve been experimenting too with mug cakes, they are a great idea to satisfy that cake craving without leaving mass amounts of cake laying around the house! This one looks lovely 😀