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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.
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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.
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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

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163 Comments
Quandasia
1Recipe didn’t come out like the picture. It was very “eggy” and wet on the inside. Also not that sweet. I followed the directions to a tee. Won’t be trying this one again. I was just looking for a simple vanilla Keto Mug Cake.
Christina
0So eggy! And too wet. I made it exactly as directed and have used this mug for many (non keto) mug cakes and they’ve always risen just fine. Not sure I’d make this recipe again.
Dana
0Agreed, I doubled it and only used 1 egg. I have tried oven and air fryer. It still takes a long time to cook and browns a lot on outside for the inside to be done. Next time I might try more oil/butter.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0If it was wet inside then you didn’t cook it for long enough – it can vary based on your mug, your microwave, etc. That would also make it taste more eggy and likely affect the sweetness. I hope you’ll try it again to see if you like it when fully cooked.
Kelly
1I doubled this recipe and used my mini cupcake pan and made 12 mini muffins. These were amazing! Baked in the oven for 12 minutes on 350 degrees. Thanks for the recipe.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am so happy to hear that, Kelly! Thank you!
Mary
0Delicious. Batter seemed a little thin so added extra coconut flour. Perfect.
Julie Berg
0Your recipe looks so good until I read that egg is added in. I am allergic to eggs as well as wheat, dairy & soy. What can I use in place of the egg? Is the egg for rise? Can I use something else?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Julie, You can use a flax egg or one of my other suggested egg substitutes instead of the egg.
kimber4230
0This hit the spot. It turned pefectly moist, not rubbery. First time using your sweetener. Yum!!!
Suj
0Wow these turned out amazing! I tried it with paleo biscotti from “The greater goods snacking Co” It turned out amazing
Jonathan
0This was the first Keto Mug cake , which actually tastes like the ordinary one. My son could not tell it’s low carb 🙂 Will be making this on a regular basis. Thanks!
Allen
0Hi. Interested to try this recipe. I don’t have a microwave. Can I do it in a conventional oven? If so, what temperature and for how long?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Allen, Yes, you can use an oven. You’ll find those instructions in the post.
Becca
0This was so easy to make and amazing flavor. I have picky eater so it’s hard to find delicious options. I served I with Blueberries. Just wow!!!!
Rose
0I love 5 minutes treat and this mug cake is exactly what I was looking for on a late night craving.
Kris
0So easy, tasty and satisfying! Will make again!
Rebecca
0These are the perfect quick little treats when a craving for something sweet hits! My husband and I have made them probably way too many times. ? They are irresistibly easy and so delicious!
Addison
0This mug cake was so quick and easy! Such a great little dessert.
Claire
0Amazing! I ordered your almond flour and your coconut flour and I think they made all the difference! The cakes were light and fluffy.
Mary
0Made this for breakfast this morning. Served with strawberries. Very filling.
Mar
0Delicious and so easy to make ?
Sunny
0I really liked this recipe, except for a few things. I didn’t really want the “paleo”, so I substituted the oil for butter and the almond milk for cows milk.. HOWEVER, I have yet to find a keto mug cake recipe that taste eggy or bitter (if it’s chocolate)… why do none of these recipe add enough artificial sweetener? I use swerve; should I be using monkfruit instead?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Sunny, I suggest using my Keto Sweetener Guide to make sure you are using enough sweetener. If it is not sweet enough feel free to add a little extra sweetener.
Philip Blosser
0This is the first time I’ve given a rating, but my daughter and I have decided that you are the Julia Childs of Keto! There’s nothing on you site that we’ve made that isn’t absolutely ambrosia! Even this simple microwave-oven recipe. God bless you!
Eric
0As someone who can’t eat sugar, these recipes are phenomenal… I used this as a base for a strawberry shortcake and it turned out fantastic.
Anna
0I followed this recipe with vanilla extract and am not sure if because I used a mini ceramic casserole dish instead of a mug that it wasn’t baking properly on the bottom. It was mushy on the bottom part even after microwaving an additional minute. So I removed it and flipped it on a dish and microwaved another minute. Still was a bit mushy but tasted good and added whipped topping. I will try again in a mug because I know that was definitely the issue.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Anna, You may have to microwave longer because all microwaves cook a little differently.