Almond Flour Mug Cake (Low-Carb, High Yum!)

Delightfully fluffy, nutty, and perfectly spongy, this mug cake is ready to eat in under two minutes and only requires one mug, so there are no dishes to clean up!

Almond flour mug cake is perfect for a quick and easy snack or dessert. It’s also perfect for those who are gluten-free or looking for a healthier alternative to traditional cake. Feeling extra fancy? Try this recipe in a mason jar to add some real flair.

This Almond Flour Mug Cake is …

• Gluten-Free

• Grain-Free

• Low-Carb

• High-Protein

• Keto-Friendly!

• A great comfort food!

And also super easy to make…

A Few Standout Ingredients to Make The Best Almond Flour Mug Cake

Almond Flour:  Almond flour is a gluten-free flour made from ground almonds. It is a good source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. It is also low in carbohydrates. Good-quality almond flour is a versatile ingredient that can add a nutty flavor and texture to your cake.

Almond Extract: Almond extract is a flavoring made from the oil of almonds. Almond extract has a strong, sweet flavor that is similar to the flavor of almonds. It can be substituted with other extracts such as vanilla extract or lemon extract, but the resulting cake will have a different flavor. (This can be fun for customizing, of course!)

Butter: Butter lends itself to this recipe in two ways. First, once it’s melted, it coats the cup, keeping the cake from sticking. Second, it adds that certain texture to the batter that we crave in cake. To make this recipe vegan, substitute coconut oil or olive oil.

Milk: Milk adds a touch of richness to the dish and gives the batter some movement. If you want to make this dish vegan, you can use water instead. For a richer finish, consider substituting coconut milk.

Eggs: Egg yolk adds flavor to the cake, while the egg white and baking powder add volume to the recipe.

To make this recipe dairy-free…

• Sub in coconut milk (or water, but really, I’d go for the richer stuff) for the milk;
• Substitute coconut oil or olive oil for the butter.

To make this recipe vegan…

Do everything I mentioned above, then:

• Sub in a vegan ingredient for the eggs (usually JustEgg, flaxseed, or a chia egg – although keep in mind, the cake may be a little shorter and denser);
• Sub in another sweetener for the honey (maple syrup is usually a safe bet).

How to Make Almond Flour Mug Cake

Here is a quick walkthrough on how to make this almond flour mug cake, with a few tips along the way. (The full directions are in the printable instructions below.)

Step One: In a microwave-safe mug, melt the butter. Once the butter is melted add in almond extract, milk, egg, honey and salt. .

Step Two: Add the dry ingredients (baking powder and almond flour) to the wet ingredients and stir until combined. 

Step Three: Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool for a few minutes before enjoying.

Try Your Mug Cake with These Additions

One of the best things about making this recipe in a mug is the amount of toppings you can add. A good rule of thumb is to add one tablespoon of additional ingredients to the batter, but you can pile on as many as you like on top. Some awesome additions include:

Nuts: Nuts are an excellent topper since they add different flavors and textures and can give a plain cake a lot of variety. Top this recipe off with crunchy hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts or almonds. Avoid adding the nuts to the batter since they can lose a little texture in the microwave.

Powders: Cocoa, espresso powder or even a matcha powder would all make a great bonus to make this cake’s color and flavor pop! One teaspoon is all you need mixed into the batter.

Fruit: A little fruit can make this recipe really stand out. Try layering on pineapple, sliced strawberries or handful of mixed berries to add some freshness between layers. Add a little extra sweetness with the addition of jams or jellies.

Dollops: Whether it’s Greek yogurt, coconut cream, whipped cream cheese or whipped topping (here’s a good vegan recipe), try adding a spoonful to your mug to add some cold contrast to your warm and spongy cake.

Glaze: Similar to donut glazes, there are many varieties that can be made with just two ingredients. If you like glaze, add one tablespoon of powdered sugar to an equal amount of milk and mix together. This sweet topper is the perfect addition to drizzle over and around your cake. Plus, it acts as an edible glue that helps keep your nuts and other additions in place.

Tips for Success

Keep it basic. Once you see how simple this recipe is to make and follow, you will understand that the sky’s the limit when it comes to customizing it. This recipe is the ideal foundation to build on, and you can easily change it up every day to keep things interesting.

For the Best Texture

For the best texture, keep an eye on your cake. When microwaving, avoid going overboard. Some cakes may require a little more time, while others may require a little less. When the cake has stopped rising and holds its peak for 20-30 seconds, it is done. After cooking, the cake will slightly deflate.

How will you know when your cake is done

To know if your mug cake is fully cooked, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, the cake is done. If the toothpick is still wet, microwave the cake for an additional 15-30 seconds and try again. (Every microwave is a little different…how annoying is that? But if you do things in 15-30 second increments, you’re in no danger of overcooking it).

FAQs

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