Keto Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe « Easy + Healthy Clean & Delicious (2024)

Home » Recipes » Diet » Low Carb + Keto » Keto Vanilla Mug Cake

(updated April 12, 2021)

4.62 from 49 votes

By Dani Spies

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This easy vanilla mug cake recipe is ready in just 2 minutes! If you want a keto mug cake that’s simple to make and super delicious, give this keto (and paleo!) vanilla mug cake a try. It’s sure to do the job.

Keto Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe « Easy + Healthy Clean & Delicious (1)

Easy Vanilla Mug Cake

This keto (and paleo) vanilla mug cake is made with almond flour, vanilla bean, coconut oil and monk fruit. It’s a delicious, grain-free mug cake recipe that comes together in just minutes.

Ever find yourself wanting a piece of cake BUT not wanting to deal with an entire cake? This is where mug cake enters the room.

Mug cake is a single serving of cake, made in a mug and cooked in the microwave.

A great way to indulge a sweet tooth without having to rely on highly processed options from the grocery store.

Ingredients for an almond flour mug cake:

This healthy vanilla mug cake recipe is made with just seven simple ingredients you probably have in your pantry right now. Here’s what you need:

  • Almond flour – The base of this mug cake is almond flour, which keeps the cake gluten-free and adds protein and healthy fats.
  • Monk fruit – We’re naturally sweetening this mug cake with monk fruit. Feel free to sub with any granulated sugar you have on hand.
  • Coconut oil – To add a bit of moisture to the batter. You can sub with any oil or even melted butter.
  • Vanilla – Use vanilla seeds or vanilla extract to give this vanilla mug cake that classic vanilla cake flavor.
  • Egg – You’ll need one egg to give this mug cake structure and the perfect texture.
  • Baking powder – To help the mug cake fluff up and rise.
  • Pinch of salt – Pulls the flavors together. You’ll only need a tiny bit.

How To Make Paleo Vanilla Mug Cake

Brace yourself. This recipe is crazy easy to make!

  1. Grease an 8-ounce microwave-safe mug with coconut oil (butter or cooking spray would work as well).
  2. Add almond flour, monk fruit, coconut oil, egg, vanilla (beans are best but you can also use extract), baking soda and salt. Stir until you have a beautiful, rich cake batter.
  3. Pop in the microwave for one minute or until the cake is set through and springy on top.
  4. Cool and enjoy!

I love this mug cake topped with whipped cream and fresh berries but it’s also delicious as-is.

Keto Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe « Easy + Healthy Clean & Delicious (2)

Tips For Making Keto Vanilla Mug Cake

Skipping refined flours and sugars is the key to keeping this vanilla mug cake paleo and keto-friendly.

  • Almond flour. Rich in healthy fats and protein, almond flour is naturally a low carb flour option that creates and super moist, low carb mug cake
  • Fresh vanilla beans. While this mug cake can be made with vanilla extract, fresh vanilla beans take the flavor to a whole new level. The flavor of fresh vanilla beans is beyond any other vanilla flavor, so I highly recommend you use them if you can. Look for vanilla beans that are plump and shiny, you definitely don’t want them to be dried out.
  • Monk Fruit. An all-natural sweetener, with zero-calorie, monk fruit has been on the rise. I have been experimenting with it a bit in my baking and really like it. If you don’t need to keep the recipe keto-friendly and prefer not to use monk fruit, any granulated sugar can be swapped in 1:1.

Keto Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe « Easy + Healthy Clean & Delicious (3)

What makes this almond flour mug cake so amazing?

Not only do I LOVE how easy and delicious this almond flour mug cake is, but I also love that’s it’s much more nutritious than your everyday cake. This vanilla keto mug cake is:

  • Packed with healthy fats and fiber from the almond flour to keep you full and satisfied.
  • Almond flour is also a wonderful source of calcium and vitamin E.
  • Naturally gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free and keto-friendly.
  • Low in sugar, so your blood sugar won’t spike after you eat it.

More Mug Cake Recipes:

  • 2-Minute Chocolate Mug Cake
  • Grain + Gluten Free Chocolate Mug Cake

More Healthy Dessert Ideas:

  • Mango Blueberry Crisp
  • Healthy Almond Flour Brownies
  • Matcha Energy Balls

Thanks so much for reading! You can watch the video down below and if you make this recipe I would love for you to give it a ★ rating below. And be sure to follow me onYouTube,Pinterest,InstagramandFaceBookfor more healthy food inspiration!

Keto Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe « Easy + Healthy Clean & Delicious (4)

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4.62 from 49 votes

Keto Vanilla Mug Cake

This delicious vanilla mug cake is made with almond flour and monk fruit making it both keto and paleo-friendly. Try doubling the recipe, to make a fun weeknight dessert for the family.

Course: cake, dairy free, DESSERT, DIET, gluten free, low carb + keto

Cuisine: American

Author: Dani Spies

Prep Time1 minute min

Cook Time1 minute min

Total Time2 minutes mins

Servings: 1

Calories: 262kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup almond flour, extra fine
  • 2 tablespoons monk fruit*
  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil
  • 1/8 teaspoon vanilla seeds or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • pinch kosher salt

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Notes

*Monk fruit is an all-natural, no-calorie sweetener that can be subbed 1:1 with white sugar when baking (or making pancakes!). This is the brand I like to use.

Nutrition

Serving: 1mug cake | Calories: 262kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 64mg | Potassium: 162mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 238IU | Calcium: 127mg | Iron: 2mg

About Dani Spies

Dani Spies is the founder and host of Clean & Delicious; a weekly cooking show on YouTube and a healthy eating blog that celebrates real, whole foods! She takes a holistic approach to health and wellness and is loved for her approachable, down to earth style both in and out of the kitchen.

Learn MoreWork With Me

Reader Interactions

Yum! I love this recipe.

    Leave a review

    Comments

  1. Meghan says

    Keto Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe « Easy + Healthy Clean & Delicious (10)
    I was so excited to finally see a paleo vanilla mug cake. Most mug cakes are chocolate and since I’m not a big chocolate fan, this is perfect for me. I used vanilla bean paste in mine (1/2 tsp) and it tastes fantastic! Thank you Dani!

    Reply

  2. Lanie says

    Keto Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe « Easy + Healthy Clean & Delicious (11)
    Thank you for this great recipe! Just sharing my little innovation: I omitted the vanilla bean and used vanilla essence (per recipe). Then I added 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and half a teaspoon of lemon zest. Instant lemon cake! Super yum!!

    Reply

    • Dani says

      YUM! I can’t wait to try this for myself. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply

      • Heidi says

        Keto Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe « Easy + Healthy Clean & Delicious (12)
        This was very nice! I followed the recipe to a “T” except I used 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract for a lovely almond mug cake. It paired nicely with a cup of tea!

        Reply

  3. Sherbear says

    Keto Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe « Easy + Healthy Clean & Delicious (13)
    Been craving vanilla cake but trying to be healthy. This recipe is AWESOME!! It has the perfect amount of carbs and protein to not mess with my blood sugar. I used vanilla bean paste

    Reply

    • Dani says

      So glad you enjoyed it Sherbear! Thanks for taking the time to share and rate.

      Reply

  4. Anaiz says

    Keto Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe « Easy + Healthy Clean & Delicious (14)
    Dani, you have the best healthy recipes!
    I have done a few other mug cake recipes and have always been like…this is not a real cake!. But your recipe is amazing! I feel like I am eating a “real” cake, minus the unnecessary and unhealthy ingredients.
    I am so happy to have found you! Thank you for sharing all your knowledge.

    Reply

    • Dani says

      Awe, thank you for the review! So glad you are enjoying the recipes.

      Reply

    • Melinda says

      Keto Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe « Easy + Healthy Clean & Delicious (15)
      This is such a great recipe! I made a few changes though. I’ve been trying for months to like almond flour but couldn’t get past the grittiness. Finally found cashew flour and WOW.
      Anyways, I swapped for cashew flour, and used Splenda (off brand), vanilla extract, and added some sugar free chocolate chips I got.
      SO GOOD! The fact that this takes 2 seconds to make makes it more delicious!

      Reply

  5. Maple says

    Thank u so much!! So moist ! I didnt have monk fruit so used maple syrup (not keto) I know. Anyway so good!! Love it so delicious. Best mug cake recipe ever. Gonna make chocolate and snickerdoodle too soon!

    Reply

  6. Michelle says

    Keto Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe « Easy + Healthy Clean & Delicious (16)
    I was making a latte & wanting something cake/muffin like but didn’t want to spend an hour making a recipe. My sister mentioned trying a mug cake but others I’ve tried weren’t grain free. So I searched & stumbled on your recipe. I use Krisda & only added 1 TBSP & took another reviewers advice but used lime zest & lime juice (didn’t have lemons) & added grated fresh nutmeg & cinnamon. So good. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Dani says

      That sounds great, Michelle! Love how you made it your own.

      Reply

  7. Michelle says

    Keto Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe « Easy + Healthy Clean & Delicious (17)
    The kids are really getting into baking these days with me and today we made our first mug cakes! While we were enjoying them after dinner, my 6 year old said, “Take a picture and send it to Dani!” He seemed so confident as if he knew you first hand! It was cute! Thanks again for making it a gluten free mug cake since I am celiac. P.S We made both chocolate and vanilla since we couldn’t decide xoxo

    Reply

    • Dani says

      Awe, I love this! Thanks for sharing and thank your son for thinking of me 🙂

      Reply

  8. Sanya says

    Keto Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe « Easy + Healthy Clean & Delicious (18)
    Hi! If I don’t have a microwave but an oven, how long do I bake in the oven for?

    And if I use a mug that is double the size so double the ingredients?

    Thanks xx

    Reply

    • Dani says

      I can’t say for sure but start with 8 minutes or so and check as you go!

      Reply

      • Bri says

        Keto Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe « Easy + Healthy Clean & Delicious (19)
        Hi thanks!!! Totally love this recipe!!! Lol I use gluten free flour instead

        Reply

        • Dani says

          You’re so welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.

          Reply

  9. Valerie k Minor says

    Keto Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe « Easy + Healthy Clean & Delicious (20)
    This is by far the best mug cake recipe! Thank you!

    Reply

    • Dani says

      Amazing!! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review + I’m so glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply

  10. Olya says

    Keto Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe « Easy + Healthy Clean & Delicious (21)
    So delicious and so easy! Ingredients are so perfect! Thank you! We made one, and then right away made another one 🙂 We also added chia seed for some crunch!

    Reply

    • Dani says

      Love the addition of chia seeds, so clever!

      Reply

  11. Susan Riley says

    I don’t have coconut oil. Is there a substitute to use? I am cooking it for a type 1 diabetic child. Carbs are the main concern.
    Thank you.

    Reply

    • Dani says

      You can swap some butter!

      Reply

  12. Julie says

    Just made this and my first mug cake recipe. I used olive oil and worked perfectly. Used almond meal that wasn’t that Fine but still an amazing cake. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Dani says

      So glad to hear that Julie!

      Reply

  13. Allie says

    Keto Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe « Easy + Healthy Clean & Delicious (22)
    Wow!! I was really craving a sweet dessert as the rest of my family was enjoying sandtarts so I looked on your site for a quick recipe and landed upon this one! I tried it and it was AMAZING! Super quick & hit the spot! Exactly what I was looking for! Thank you so much! I did use regular sugar instead of monk fruit since that’s all I had on hand.

    Reply

  14. Tracey says

    Thanks for your recipes they are very helpful. Please clarify, you stated monk fruit can be used as a 1 to 1 sweetener but didn’t mention that it must be combined with another ingredient in this case erithotyl in order to replace sugar on a 1 to 1 ratio.

    Reply

    • Dani says

      Yes, that’s true. I use a brand called Lakanto which is a blend of monk fruit and erithotyl.

      Reply

  15. Amber says

    I blended this in my little blender and topped with low carb sugar free chocolate sauce that I found at the grocery store and a little cream and it was awesome. I used butter in place of coconut oil and I added a little almond extract. I’m so happy that I found this recipe since I have to be fully grain free and sugar gives me migraines so a sugar free, grain free treat is almost impossible to find. Thanks for sharing this recipe

    Reply

    • Dani Spies says

      It’s my pleasure! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply

Keto Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe « Easy + Healthy Clean & Delicious (2024)

FAQs

Why did my mug cake turn out rubbery? ›

A rubbery mug cake is indicative of being overcooked, or incorrect measurements. Please be precise with the measurements and stop cooking once the cake is soft but not wet on the top.

Are mug cakes okay to eat? ›

To make a double portion, we recommend using two separate mugs! Are microwave mug cakes safe to eat? Yes! Mug cakes are completely safe to consume.

Why is my mug cake so dry? ›

Many protein mug cake recipes suffer from dryness because they don't contain enough fat. They use wheat or oat flour, protein powder, and no eggs or oils. Naturally, it's going to be very dry with these ingredients.

What is a keto cake made of? ›

Eggs: Eggs are a staple in keto baking as they add structure and moisture to the cake while providing essential fats and proteins. High-fat ingredients: Keto cakes often contain high-fat ingredients like butter, coconut oil, or heavy cream. These ingredients provide richness and help maintain the desired texture.

Why don't mug cakes use eggs? ›

It's easy to see why—most classic cake recipes call for two or three eggs and serve at least 10 people. So for a single-serving mug cake, just skip the egg; a whole egg will overpower the small amount of batter (and it's pretty tough to divide an egg in quarters).

Why does mug cake become hard? ›

Leaving the cake inside the microwave after baking -

Overheating the cake is one of the reasons why your cake turns out to be hard and tight.

Why does my mug cake taste bitter? ›

One of the most common misfortunes among bakers is that they are using too much baking soda or baking powder. Know that too much baking soda or baking powder in cakes will not just lead to a metallic and bitter taste, but it can also make a big mess in the oven as it will rise beyond expectations.

Can you eat raw mug cake batter? ›

Let's make this simple: No. Eating uncooked dough or batter can make you severely sick. The primary risk comes from flour.

Do mug cakes work in plastic cups? ›

Certainly! A mug is just a convenient size, and has a handle. I'd probably stay away from plastic, since sugar can stay hot for a while and might cause the plastic to warp.

Can you use water instead of milk in mug cake? ›

It is entirely possible to change this recipe to make it without milk. If it is an issue with lactose intolerance or other dietary restrictions, you can use almond milk, cashew milk, or oat milk. An almond cashew blend is my particular favorite. If you'd prefer not to have any milk at all, you can use water instead.

Why did my mug cake fail? ›

Don't overfill your mug with ingredients

Even with the perfect mini whisk, things can still go wrong when making a mug cake. One big mistake involves overfilling the mug. Just like with any other baked good, mug cakes rise during the cooking process.

Are keto cakes healthy? ›

Keto desserts are very nutrient-dense because of their focus on healthy fats, quality protein, and no sugar. Those are the bites that count, even if they're dessert.

Why is it called Elvis Presley cake? ›

Before it's served, you'll add a layer of cream cheese frosting and sprinkle candied pecans on top for some crunch. Internet lore would have you believe this pineapple-topped concoction was Elvis Presley's favorite cake, that he even asked his grandmother to make it for him as a kid.

Is cream cheese keto? ›

Cream cheese: Cream cheese is very popular in the keto diet. At only 84 calories per 1 ounce serving, it has 1 gram of carbs and 2 grams of protein but packs 8 grams of fat per serving. It can be a keto-friendly snack or meal addition when more fat is needed.

Why did my cake come out rubbery? ›

If you mix incorrect measurements of sugar, butter, and eggs, the cake will become rubbery. You will notice that you have overmixed, the batter when the dough produces a smooth or watery texture. When the dough is overmixed, the air bubbles trapped in the mixture will be lost.

Why is my mug cake chewy? ›

The unfortunate rubbery texture of some mug cakes usually comes from either too much oil or from overcooking the cake itself. Most recipes call for some sort of milk as well.

Why did my cake turn out gummy? ›

Why does my cake have a gummy streak in the center? Developing too much of the flour's gluten can make the cake rise beautifully in the oven, but sink as soon as you pull it out. The sinking part is what makes the dense and gluey streaks. This can be result of over-creaming the eggs, butter and sugar.

Why does my cake feel chewy? ›

Over-beating

Not only does it make your cake chewy, it also beats the air out of your batters and makes your sponge cake not spongey at all.

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