Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List
Get It NowIf you like chocolate mug cake but are looking for a vanilla version, you’ll love this keto vanilla mug cake. It has all the rich flavors of my sugar-free vanilla pudding, but in cake form. It’s sweet and fluffy, with a delicate crumb and burst of vanilla flavor — perfect for any occasion. Whenever you have a craving for a quick, sweet low carb snack, it takes just minutes to prepare a vanilla cake in a mug!
Why You’ll Love This Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe

- Sweet vanilla taste
- Rich and moist cake texture
- Ready in 5 minutes (no oven needed, but there’s an oven option!)
- Sugar-free, gluten-free, grain-free, and keto, with dairy-free and paleo options
- Just 5g net carbs per serving
- The perfect single-serving treat

Ingredients make the difference between moist and delicate mug cakes and dry, rubbery ones. I use Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour and Wholesome Yum Coconut Flour because they both have a super fine consistency, and together create a better texture than one of them alone.
I use Besti Monk Fruit Allulose Blend to sweeten, because it naturally creates super moist cakes. Besti also works the same way in larger baked recipes (like a full-size keto cake) and other keto desserts!

Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for this vanilla cake in a mug recipe, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Coconut Oil – Be sure to measure the oil solid and then melt it. You can also use unsalted butter or ghee.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk – To keep this recipe dairy free, I use homemade almond milk, but you can use store-bought or any other keto milk you prefer.
- Vanilla Bean – I highly recommend using fresh vanilla — I use it sometimes in my almond flour pancakes and it takes the flavor over the top! Vanilla bean paste will also work, but make sure there is no added sugar. If you don’t have either of these, you can use 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract instead. This will be less vanilla flavor than using the bean directly, but adding any more extract would result in an aftertaste from the alcohol in the extract.
- Wholesome Yum Flours – You will need both Wholesome Yum Almond Flour and Wholesome Yum Coconut Flour for this recipe. The blend of these flours together improves the texture. If you’re allergic to one of these, you can just use 6 tablespoons almond flour total or just use 2 tablespoons coconut flour total, but the texture is much better using the combination.
- Besti Monk Fruit Allulose Blend – Makes the cake soft and moist, while tasting just like sugar. If you need a different sugar substitute, use my comprehensive sweetener conversion chart to use the right amounts, but keep in mind that most other options would turn out more dry. Coconut sugar is fine to substitute if you want a paleo mug cake.
- Baking Powder – Make sure it’s fresh so that your cake rises well, and if it’s important to you, double check that it’s gluten-free.
- Sea Salt
- Egg – Use a room temperature egg for the best results. I haven’t tried using an egg substitute, but it would probably work.

How To Make Vanilla Mug Cake
This section shows how to make vanilla cake in a mug, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Melt the coconut oil. Heat the coconut oil in a microwave-safe mug, small bowl, or ramekin in the microwave.
- Add wet ingredients. Stir in almond milk and scraped vanilla bean seeds.
- Add dry ingredients and egg. Add the almond flour, coconut flour, Besti, baking powder, sea salt, and egg. Stir batter until well combined. Smooth the top with the back of a spoon.


- Microwave. Heat in microwave until firm. Serve vanilla microwave cake in a mug with sugar-free whipped cream (or coconut whipped cream for paleo), or frost with your favorite frosting (see ideas below).

VARIATION: Bake in the oven instead.
Make sure to use an oven-safe ramekin or mug, and simply bake at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Vanilla keto mug cake can store uncovered at room temperature for one day, or in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
- Reheat: Eat cold or at room temperature, or reheat in the microwave and spread a thin layer of butter on top to prevent drying out.
- Freeze: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in the freezer. Let it thaw in the fridge and then reheat in the microwave until just warm.
Toppings For Keto Vanilla Mug Cake
This cake in a mug is scrumptious all on its own, but for a truly decadent dessert, top it off with the ultimate sugar-free toppings:
- Whipped cream – To keep this keto friendly, use sugar-free keto whipped cream rather than regular whipped cream.
- Frosting – Try keto cream cheese frosting, classic sugar-free buttercream frosting, or even keto chocolate frosting.
- Sweet Sauces – Drizzle sugar-free chocolate syrup, creamy sugar-free Nutella, runny peanut butter, or gooey sugar-free caramel syrup over the top.
- Ice Cream – Top this vanilla cake in a mug with your favorite keto ice cream. Try chocolate or strawberry, or for dairy-free options, coconut milk ice cream or almond milk ice cream.
- Fresh Berries – Sliced strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries are all keto friendly.
- Sprinkles – For a colorful finish, top with keto chocolate chips or sugar-free sprinkles!
More Mug Cake Recipes
If you liked this recipe for vanilla cake in a mug, you’ll want to try some of my other mug cake recipes:
Recommended Tools
- Mug – As the name suggests, all you need is a mug. Alternatively, you could use a ramekin.
- Measuring Spoons – These are my absolute favorite measuring spoons. They nest together for storage and fit inside spice jars.

Almond Flour Vanilla Mug Cake
This keto vanilla mug cake recipe takes just 5 minutes, with healthy, simple ingredients like almond flour, coconut oil, and vanilla.
Instructions
[ See step photos ]Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
-
Add the almond flour, coconut flour, sweetener, gluten-free baking powder, sea salt, and egg. Stir until well combined. Smooth the top with the back of a spoon.
-
Microwave for about 90-120 seconds, until firm. Serve with sugar-free whipped cream (or coconut whipped cream for paleo), or frost with your favorite frosting.
Did you make it? Leave a review or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 mug cake (entire recipe)
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
Add Your Notes Your Notes
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Vanilla Mug Cake

Shop
My
Custom











163 Comments
Eric
0I made an anise icing for this mug cake. Tablespoon of sweetener teaspoon of water quarter teaspoon of anise extract and one-and-a-half tablespoons of cream cheese. I allowed the mug cake to cool a bit inverted it on a plate, and drizzled the icing over it. With a mug of coffee it was excellent. I found that waiting a few minutes before microwaving the mug cake, it Rose a little higher in a mug making it lighter in texture.
Ginny
0I did a trial run on the Vanilla Mug Cake using the suggested amount of vanilla until I can get the beans and everything else as listed. The icing was great and the cake flavor pretty good (I really am looking forward to those vanilla beans)! But I think the texture of mine turned out a bit spongy compared how the photo looks. Any suggestions for that cakier texture?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Ginny, If you are looking for a cakier texture, you can add a small amount of coconut oil or butter. Around 1 tsp should help.
Chantelle Weiss
0This is one of our favorite family desserts, it’s so easy to throw together and tastes amazing. I make some homemade whipped cream to out on top, the perfect afternoon sweet treat or fantastic dessert. Yum!
Kisa
0We have made this several times. My daughter and her best friend (they’re 13) just made these for a family dinner and everyone but the dads wolfed them down. To say they’re delicious is an understatement.
Ivie
0I was so suspicious of this mug cake concept but I must say it is actually THE best keto pastry I’ve ever had! I’ve bookmarked this recipe to my home screen. Ugh I’m in love
April
0Tried this today but instead of using vanilla I used a little less than 1/2tsp banana extract and added about 4 walnut halves chopped. First taste of banana I’ve had since starting keto 6 months ago. Super moist and tasty! Thank you
Sierra
0I tried this and it turned out a bit eggy! What type of sweetener (powdered or granulated) should I have used? Even though it was eggy, it still tasted good. Just had a strange texture!
Wholesome Yum A
0Hi Sierra, this recipe uses granulated monk fruit allulose blend (I always specify powdered if a recipe calls for it, though). The texture is definitely different than a conventional cake because of the rapid cook time.
Kassandra S Hunt
0I absolutely adore all of your recipes. The mug cakes (chocolate and now vanilla) have really made a huge difference in keeping me on a low carb diet. Wholesome Yum is my go to website to find delicious food that complements my lifestyle. I have preordered your book and look forward to having all of those yummy recipes at hand. Thank you! Thank you!
Maureen
0Hope you can help me. In a lot of your recipes you put ‘tablespoons’ Do I put a heaped tablespoon in or just a level one? I follow a lot of your recipes but that is the one thing that fazes me ! Therefore I’m a little unsure when it comes to this recipes or any cake making. I’ve ordered your book off Amazon just hope it comes through to the U.K , can’t wait !!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Maureen, It would be a measuring spoon sized 1 tablespoon, and you’d measure it level, not heaped. Hope this helps! Thank you SO much for ordering my book – it means a lot to me – and yes, it’s available on Amazon UK as well. 🙂
Yvette
0Oh my goodness this recipe is fantanstic!!
I was searching to make my husband a treat for his birthday but still stay Keto and this hit the nail on the head!
Thank you so much.
Julia
0This was the best texture keto mug cake recipe!!! I have tried many-all of which are too oily, too dry, or flavorless! This recipe hits the nail on the head. 10/10
Mela
0Best vanilla mug cake i have ever make!! So fluffy and delicious. The flavour and texture is so incredible i wish i could eat 3 more haha! I only put half tbs of sugar as i added 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. And turned out perfect! I can definitely see myself making this every weekend.
Kathy
0It raised really awesomely in the first minute, then collapsed. Any thoughts as to why?
Wholesome Yum
0Hi Kathy, the sudden temperature change in the batter helps your cake rise quickly, but it can also cause sinking. It can also happen if your baking powder is too old, so check to make sure it’s fresh!
Marsha
0If I won’t use coconut flour, should I increase the almond flour a bit?
Wholesome Yum
0Hi Marsha, I’ll share my reply from another commenter who asked the same question: “To replace the coconut flour with more almond flour, you’d need to reduce the almond milk. Coconut flour absorbs a lot of moisture, so the batter would be very liquid without it unless you omit some (or possibly all) of the milk. Unfortunately I don’t have an exact amount to use, since I haven’t experimented with that version yet.” Let me know if you try it!
Carin
0I made this cake for my desert and normal box cake for my children. I left out the whipped topping and added chopped peaches. My son ended up eating half of my cake and peaches and will not stop talking about how great the taste was!
Staci
0Sounds great! Looking forward to making this for my birthday since I have no other friends who are low-carb, my only regret is you didn’t include a SMALL frosting recipe to go with it. All the ones I can find make far too much. Thanks!
Wholesome Yum
0Hi Staci, try halving my cream cheese frosting recipe! You can scale it down right in the recipe card.
Erica D
0Any way to make these egg-free? Have you tested using a flax egg sub?
Liz
0Would not recommend the flax egg!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Erica, I haven’t tried that. It would probably work, with a slightly different taste/texture.
Misjanuary
0Needed a vanilla cake type dessert (not a huge chocolate fan and everything Keto seems to be chocolate!) but didn’t want to make an entire batch so found this. Omg it was tasty! I don’t think I cooked it quite enough as it was a bit eggy with a custard flavor (creme brûlée is my favorite dessert so I didn’t mind!!) but was soooo good anyways! I made a quick cream cheese Keto frosting and it was so good but such a big portion that I couldn’t even finish it all!!! I will be making this again!!! Thank you!
Helen
0I made this as a quick tiramisu base. I cut it into 3 slices when it was cooked, soaked them in some organic decaf coffee and layered it with organic creme fraiche and cocoa powder. I had tiramisu in 15 mins and it was delicious.
Staci
0Have you tried baking this in the oven? I’m really not in a hurry, just looking for 1-3 servings instead of a WHOLE CAKE for my birthday. Thanks!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Staci, Yes, you can bake it in the oven at 350 degrees if you’d like.