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- What Is Keto Mug Cake?
- How To Make A Keto Mug Cake In The Microwave
- How To Make A Keto Mug Cake In The Oven
- Paleo Chocolate Mug Cake Ingredients & Substitutions
- Toppings For Paleo Chocolate Cake In A Mug
- How To Store Low Carb Chocolate Mug Cake
- Can You Store Paleo Chocolate Cake In A Mug?
- Can You Freeze Paleo Chocolate Mug Cake?
- More Mug Cake Keto Recipes
- Tools To Make Low Carb Keto Chocolate Mug Cake
- The BEST Low Carb Keto Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe
What do you do when you need a healthy dessert like NOW?! Keto chocolate mug cake!!! This easy keto mug cake (seriously, 2-minutes!) will save the day to satisfy all of your chocolate cake cravings. What do I love about this paleo chocolate mug cake? It’s single serving – great for portion control! It’s so rich and chocolate-y – great for those chocolate cravings. And, this low carb chocolate mug cake is made with nutritious ingredients – great news if you want to start your day off with a chocolate breakfast!
The entire recipe for paleo chocolate cake in a mug has only 4 grams net carbs, 1 gram of sugar, a good helping of protein, and even a quarter of your daily iron needs. It’s gluten-free and grain-free, too. With this kind of nutrition info, you can feel good making a meal out of it. (And trust me, I do.)
Of course, if paleo chocolate mug cake isn’t your thing, I hope you’ll at least try my other low carb mug cake recipes. The cinnamon swirl flax seed muffin in a mug and vanilla mug cake are both popular alternatives.
Or, check out my angel food mug cake in The Wholesome Yum Easy Keto Cookbook.
If you’re a chocolate lover like me, though, you have to try this version. It will really hit the spot for that chocolate craving – and fast.
Plus, making low carb chocolate mug cake is incredibly easy. Here, I’ll tell you all about it…
What Is Keto Mug Cake?
If you haven’t tried a low carb chocolate mug cake yet, you’re in for a treat. It’s moist and chocolate-y, and tastes like a real dessert. And the best part? This easy keto mug cake is ready in just a few minutes!
Keto chocolate cake in a mug is exactly what it sounds like… it’s a single-serve chocolate cake that’s made in a mug! Easy, fast, and made with common ingredients for anyone that likes gluten-free, paleo, or low carb cooking. All you need is salted butter, unsweetened baking chocolate, almond flour (make sure it’s blanched and finely ground!), sweetener, baking powder, egg, and vanilla extract (optional).
How To Make A Keto Mug Cake In The Microwave
The original recipe for how to make chocolate mug cake uses the microwave, making it ultra fast to prepare. If you prefer the oven, no problem! We’ll cover both ways, so you can decide what is best for you.
- Melt the butter and chocolate. You can make your paleo chocolate cake in a mug or in a ramekin, and melt the butter and chocolate right in there.
- Mix up the batter. Stir in almond flour, sweetener, baking powder, egg, and vanilla into the ramekin or mug.
- Cook. Microwave the mug cake for 60-75 seconds, until just firm.
TIP: This last step is really the only “trick” to the recipe. As long as you don’t overcook your low carb chocolate mug cake, it won’t be dry! You want it to be spring-y, but not dry.
How To Make A Keto Mug Cake In The Oven
You can also bake this paleo mug cake chocolate in the oven too.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Melt the butter and chocolate. Melt the butter and chocolate together in a double boiler.
- Mix up the batter. Stir in the almond flour, sweetener, baking powder, egg, and vanilla.
- Bake mug cakes. Transfer batter into ramekins and bake for about 15 minutes.
TIP: You’ll need either a large 12-oz ramekin or two small 6-oz ramekins. Make sure your ramekins are a lot bigger than the volume of the batter (about double the size), because the cake will rise as it’s baking.
Paleo Chocolate Mug Cake Ingredients & Substitutions
There are also some substitution alternatives, depending on your needs.
Keto Mug Cake Without Milk:
Unlike many other chocolate mug cake recipes, this one has no milk. Don’t worry – it’s not dry at all! The butter and chocolate in there keep it ultra moist.
In fact, it’s probably the moistest chocolate mug cake I’ve ever had. (And I’ve made plenty of them.)
Dairy-Free Keto Mug Cake:
If you need the keto chocolate mug cake to be completely dairy-free, you can also replace the butter with ghee or coconut oil. When you substitute one of these, just add a pinch of salt to compensate for the salted butter.
Personally, I prefer grass-fed butter for the best flavor, if that works for you. Many people include it in a paleo diet, as well.
Low Carb Mug Cake Sweetener Options:
Regarding the sweetener, any granulated one will work for this easy chocolate mug cake recipe. I like erythritol or allulose but some paleo followers may prefer coconut sugar instead. Up to you!
Toppings For Paleo Chocolate Cake In A Mug
It’s delicious on its own, but my favorite way to enjoy this delicious mug cake is to add toppings. For the ultimate keto mug cake, top it with
- More (sugar-free) melted chocolate
- Chopped nuts
- Homemade whipped cream – you don’t even need sweetener, but can add some powdered sweetener if you like
- Sugar-free keto ice cream – my favorite topping!
- Peanut butter drizzle
How To Store Low Carb Chocolate Mug Cake
If you find yourself with some extra low carb flourless chocolate mug cake (I don’t know how this would happen!), you can store it at room temperature for a day, or in the fridge for 2-3 days.
This keto mug cake recipe is best fresh, but you can store it for a few days.
Can You Store Paleo Chocolate Cake In A Mug?
Yes, you can store these paleo mug cakes right in the mug if you’d like. Seal the top tightly with plastic wrap to avoid drying out.
Can You Freeze Paleo Chocolate Mug Cake?
Yes, you can freeze paleo chocolate mug cake. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in the freezer. Let it thaw in the fridge and then re-heat in the microwave or oven until just warm.
TIP: You can add a bit of butter or ghee on top before reheating to keep the mug cake moist.
More Mug Cake Keto Recipes
If you like this chocolate keto mug cake, you might also like some of these other keto low carb desserts and mug cakes:
- Easy Keto Paleo Vanilla Mug Cake – Classic vanilla cake flavors with the ease of mug cake.
- Low Carb Nutella Molten Lava Cake Mug – If you love nutella, you’re going to love this chocolate low carb mug cake.
- Low Carb Cinnamon Flax Seed Muffin In A Mug – Try this one for breakfast! 😉
- Angel Food Cake Mug Cake – Find it in The Wholesome Yum Easy Keto Cookbook!
Tools To Make Low Carb Keto Chocolate Mug Cake
Tap the links below to see the items used to make this recipe.
- Double Walled Insulated Mug Set – I love using clear mugs for my keto mug cake chocolate, vanilla, OR cinnamon!
- Measuring Spoons – A must for baking.
- Easy Whipped Cream Dispenser – You’ll want to top your paleo chocolate mug cake recipe with whipped cream and this gadget makes it easy to have whipped cream at any moment… without chemicals.
Low Carb Paleo Keto Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe - 6 Ingredients:
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The BEST Low Carb Keto Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe
This EASY keto chocolate mug cake recipe takes just 2 minutes, with 6 ingredients + 4g net carbs! Paleo low carb chocolate mug cake is rich, moist and delicious.
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GET BESTIInstructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
Microwave Instructions
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Melt the butter and chocolate together in a mug or large 12 oz (355 mL) ramekin in the microwave (about 45-60 seconds, stirring halfway through). Be careful not to burn it. Make sure the ramekin is at least double the volume of the ingredients, because the mug cake will rise.
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Add the almond flour, sweetener, baking powder, egg, and vanilla (if using). Stir everything well until completely mixed together.
- Microwave for about 60-75 seconds, until just firm. (Don't overcook, or it will be dry.)
- Serve with whipped cream (or coconut whipped cream for paleo), and/or drizzle with more melted chocolate stirred with sweetener.
Oven Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).
- Melt the butter and chocolate together in a double boiler on the stove. Be careful not to burn it. Remove from heat.
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Add the almond flour, sweetener, baking powder, egg, and vanilla (if using). Stir everything well until completely mixed together.
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Transfer the batter to a large 12 oz (355 mL) oven-safe ramekin (or two smaller 6 oz (178 mL) ones). Make sure the ramekins are at least double the volume of the ingredients, because the cake will rise. Bake for about 15 minutes, until just firm.
- Serve with whipped cream (or coconut whipped cream for paleo), and/or drizzle with more melted chocolate stirred with sweetener.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 mug cake (entire recipe)
- For a dairy-free or paleo version, use ghee or coconut oil, and add a pinch of salt.
- The original version of this recipe used erythritol, but the monk fruit allulose blend makes a far superior, super moist mug cake. Paleo followers may prefer to use coconut sugar for the sweetener.
Video Showing How To Make a Chocolate Mug Cake:
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208 Comments
Christal
This is an awesome recipe I added extra sugar free chocolate chips and cocoa instead of unsweetened baking chocolate and cut back on sweetener to 3/4 Tbsp making it again for sure. Yummo!!!
Elizabeth
This recipe is very easy and good.
Kathy Barnhill
Just fixed this recipe. It was amazing. Got thumbs up from my husband!
AngieStella
Loved it, quick, easy and so yummy
Cheryl
Perfection! Because of a nut allergy I used sunflower seed flour. I also did not have any baking chocolate so I read on another website that for 1 oz of baking chocolate you can mix 3 Tbl of cocoa and 1 Tbl of butter into a paste. I used about 3/4 of it in this recipe. It came out moist and delicious!! I will definitely make again. Thank you Maya!!
Cinthia Meza Reyes
So delicious!!!!
Sarah
yummy and super easy to make. I used the Natvia brand of monk fruit sweetener and noshu chocolate baking chips. I did add some chocolate chips on top of the batter before I put it in the microwave. It’s nearly like a self sauce pudding. Mine was lite moist and had a bit of sauce in the bottom of the mug. Yum
Amiryssa Helland
I have made this a few times now and it never fails to impress me! I am not keto but i am low carb due to pregnancy and this mug cake has been a God send! The latest that i made I added peanut butter to the middle and it is amazing! Peanut butter lava cake, Im not 100% sure if pb is keto but if you have one you can use add it! So good! I do follow the recipe exactly except i add a little more butter and coco chips because i tend to like it a little more moist and that makes cleaning the mug so much easier!
Lissa
Terrific recipe as usual. I had to make a couple of tweaks based on what I had on-hand. I used 1tbsp cocoa powder, 1tbsp coconut flour and 2tbsp of straight-up allulose. Even with this, the cake was amazingly moist and tender. Maya’s recipes never fail to impress.
Sonja
This mug cake was fabulous!!! (I used Earth Balance and erythritol rather than butter and monk fruit.). Thank you so much for helping me satisfy my sweet tooth. ❤️
Angie Mortimer
Can I use cocoa powder if I don’t have unsweetened baking chocolate?
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Angie, Sorry, cocoa powder would make this recipe too dry.
J
Another poster said they mixed it with melted butter and it worked well. They said they used 3 Tablespoons cocoa and 1 Tablespoon of butter and mixed it into a paste before they added it.
It was Cheryl’s post on August 2021, if that’s any help. 😀
Kerri
Followed the recipe and it was delicious! Used Lily baking milk chocolate chips (keto friendly) and monk fruit for the sweetener. Much better than other chocolate mug cakes that I have had that have weird aftertaste
Tony
I tried the chocolate version (obviously) and it was amazing! Very indulgent and one of the best recipes I’ve ever tried.
I used 85% Lindt chocolate (not for baking) which melted well with the butter and “cooked” it for exactly 60secs in a 800w microwave to perfection!
I didn’t have any cream: which is a shame, although perhaps excessive for my breakfast muffin alternative!
It was a little sweet for my (British) tastebuds, so I’ll halve the sweetener next time.
I’m looking forward to trying the peanut one next!
Thank you very much
Yolanda
Awesome. Was craving chocolate. Ideal desert share, will make this again. Hubby loved it as well
Ava
can you use coco powder instead of chocolate?
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Ava, Sorry this recipe needs bakers chocolate to work.
Glad
Do you think I can use unsweetened cacao powder in place of the bakers chocolate? Thanks.
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Glad, Sorry, these ingredients are not interchangeable. Your mug cake would likely turn out very dry using cocoa powder.
Melissa
Omg!!! Just made this for myself and my 11 year old diabetic son. Added a spoonful of peanut butter to the center of the batter before baking and a scoop of whip cream on top after. I’m loving it and he just yelled out “omg this is so good!!” Kid tested and mom approved:)
Vlatka
Delicious recipe, quick and very satisfying. Love your webpage, so much useful information and great recipes! Best wishes from Croatia.
Michelle
Really satisfying. I added a pinch more sweetener. It really satisfied desire for chocolate cake. Making one serving at a time reduces the urge to overindulge. And speed at making it was a big plus. I don’t like baking or cooking.
Payme
This looks like a very delicious recipe, one that I definitely will try. My only “constructive criticism” is that your suggestions of equipment .. fancy cream maker and double-walled mugs .. are expensive and never will be on the shopping list of people who can’t afford them. I would appreciate seeing some affordable alternatives that have been tested to work. example .. a straight-sided wide-mouth mason jar for the “mug” and a hand blender for the whipping cream. Of course, we, your readers, can figure these things out, but I, for one, find it somewhat offensive that the assumption appears to be that everyone can afford the fancy items. It’s hard enough to put food on the table, and keto-specific ingredients are spendy. The recipes can be made without the fancies. You include alternative ingredients to change up flavours so it would be reasonable to include alternative equipment that will do the job at an affordable price. Thank you P.S. Its perfectly fine if you don’t publish this comment … I didn’t know how else to message you.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
I share the equipment that I personally use, and the price points vary. This is a mug cake, you can use any mug you like. Hope you enjoy the recipe.
Gina
I made this twice this week. The first time was for my birthday – I wanted chocolate cake as part of my celebration, but I didn’t want to “fall off the keto wagon” in the process. I made it late in the evening, and enjoyed it immensely, especially because it took so little time to make it. I made it again tonight and it was every bit as good – moist, tasty and just ther right amount of chocolate. Yummy!
Gina
I absolutley loved this mug cake! I made it for my birthday, and did not even need the whipped cream! My first mug cake, and boy did it knock it out of the park!
KATHY
Yum Yum Yum!!! Soo good! 🙂
Gloria
Hi! Is there a way to make this less chocolate intense? Can I cut back on the chocolate to maybe 1/2 ounce? Should I then increase the butter a bit? Thanks!
P.S. I am loving all your recipes!
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Gloria, Yes that would work just fine!
Kathy
The best cake I’ve tasted so far. I used 2 tbs of hot cocoa and 1 1/2 tbs of swerve granular. I added small slices of cream cheese on the cake mix before I put them in the microwave. Super delicious! Thank you for this chocolate cake recipe!
Kathy
I meant 2 tbs of cocoa powder not hot cocoa. Lol!
Tammy
Perfect dessert loved it!
Betsy
I’m a diabetic who has to watch my saturated fats, so I tweaked this recipe a bit. I used 2T of dark chocolate cocoa powder and substituted avocado oil for the butter. And since there’s no butter, I added a pinch of salt to bring out the flavors. Can I just say I am in LOVE with this cake. It’s going to be my new favorite!
Janet
FOR REAL!!!! I cant believe how good this was…how fast and so so chocolately without the bitter taste of unsweetened chocolate!!! OH MY!!!!
Stacey
Love this!! Just made it tonight and it was perfect!! I used Lilly’s semi sweet baking chips since it was what I had and didn’t add any additional sweetener. 60 seconds did it and came out awesome. Thank you!!
Julie
This was so easy and so amazingly good!! I added a few lily’s white chocolate chips once it was cooked and still hot, they melted on top and just added to this delicious treat. This without a doubt will be my new go to desert. This is a desert that makes you really feel like you’re not missing a thing, because you’re not!
Thank you so much for sharing this chocolaty delight. 🙂
bren037
I just made this tonight and all I can say is OMG! I did not have any unsweetened baking chocolate so I used unsweetened cocoa powder instead. I added a little coconut oil just to be sure it wouldn’t be too dry and I was not disappointed. So flavorful and perfect. Just the dessert I needed! Once again Maya you have produced a tasty and easy recipe to follow. Thank you.
Anne
This recipe is just great. It taste like regular cake to me and I don’t feel that I am missing out anything.
Beth Harrison
This is a very tasty dessert. It is tender, and has just the right amount of chocolate flavor. Low carb ice cream served with enabled my husband, and I to share.
Shannon Green
This was great! Thanks so much for this recipe. It is a keeper.