Easy Keto Chocolate Mug Cake! With just seconds of cook time and a few ingredients, you can have a fudgy, chocolatey mug cake made from start to finish.
It's perfect for when those occasional emergency chocolate cravings hit, and only has 4 grams of net carbs.
Another great recipe to quickly curb your cravings is our keto hot chocolate mix. Within in a few minutes, you can be enjoying some creamy hot cocoa.
This cake is gluten-free, sugar-free too and uses a handful of ingredients and is made with a couple of simple steps.
Do you enjoy making fun keto desserts? You might like keto chocolate fudge and keto brownies.
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Why you'll love this recipe
Beginning a low-carb lifestyle can take some adjustment when you have a sweet tooth, but the good news is that you can still have a sweet treat every now and then.
A low-carb chocolate mug cake is a satisfying solution, thanks to its soft and fudgy texture and decadent rich chocolate flavor.
It's made with keto approved ingredients like almond flour and coconut flour, so you can feel satisfied knowing you made a nutritious choice, that won't ruin your keto diet.
Mixing butter and egg into the batter gives this chocolate keto mug cake a fluffy texture. If you need to be mindful of dairy, you can make this dairy-free too.
Top with a dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of sugar free chocolate sauce, nuts, berries or some sugar-free chocolate chips sprinkled on top are tasty garnishes.
Key ingredients
Butter - We love using melted butter in keto cakes and it helps keep this super tender. It adds healthy fats and flavor. You can use oil if you like, but we recommend sticking with the butter.
Sweetener - Lakanto Monk fruit Sweetener and Swerve are two of our favorite keto granulated sweeteners. We haven't tried liquid stevia in this recipe yet, but if we do we will update this post.
Egg - Egg not only helps with the fluffy texture, it adds a touch of protein and fat to this recipe.
Vanilla - Even though this is a chocolate cake we like to add a touch of vanilla. It adds depth and flavor. You can always switch up the extracts to play with the flavors, if you like.
Almond Flour - We love baking and cooking with almond flour. It adds body, texture, flavor, protein, and fat. For another dessert made with almond flour, try our keto carrot cake bars.
Coconut Flour - A touch of coconut flour adds to the texture without adding too much of a coconut flavor.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder - To take this recipe to the next level and give it it's rich chocolate profile.
Baking Powder - A little leavening agent goes a long way in helping this rise.
Have a question about the ingredients in this recipe? Please leave it in the comments below and we will get back to you.
You can make your own sugar-free chocolate chips and sprinkle on top or melt them and pour melted chocolate over the top of your keto mug cake.
Substitutions
You can turn this keto mug cake into a dairy free dessert by switching out the butter for another vegan/dairy free butter of your choice.
You could also try coconut oil, but keep in mind that it may change the texture slightly.
Looking for another dairy-free dessert, give our vegan avocado chocolate pudding a try.
Variations to try
Chopped Nuts - Walnuts, almonds or pecans. You can stir chopped nuts into your batter.
Berries - Keto-friendly fruits like raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries. We love to top our no bake keto cheesecake with berries also.
How to make a keto chocolate mug cake
Step 1: Place butter and sweetener in a large microwave-safe mug (10-14 oz.) or ramekin. Heat in the microwave until butter is melted, approximately 30 seconds.
Step 2: Add the egg and vanilla, and stir until combined.
Step 3: Add the almond flour, coconut flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder. Stir until combined and no lumps remain.
Step 4: Microwave for 40-60 seconds or until risen and firm on the top.
Serve warm with keto ice cream, sugar free whipped cream, or your favorite keto frosting.
You can find the printable recipe card below with the full ingredients and steps.
Expert tips
Use a large mug and don't fill it more than half to ⅔ full. You'll avoid a mess and a cake that doesn't set in the middle. You can make two servings by splitting your batter into two ramekins or mugs.
Always start with the lowest necessary cooking time. You can add a few seconds at a time if needed until your cake is firm in the center, but don't go over one minute.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.
Looking for other mug cake recipes? Try this keto pumpkin mug cake next.
FAQs
Mug Cakes can become rubbery if they are overcooked, so that's why we suggest starting with the lowest necessary cook time.
Using oil instead of butter may also lead to a rubbery texture
Yes, you do not 'need' the vanilla extract but it adds a depth of flavor to your keto mug cake.
Yes, you can bake this cake in the oven. You'll want to use a ramekin and bake it at 350 degrees F, for about 10 minutes. Make sure to check it for doneness throughout, so it bakes up exactly the way you want it.
Storage instructions
Not exactly sure how it's possible to have any leftovers, but if you do. Simply cover the mug and leave on the counter for the rest of the day. If you manage to not be tempted to finish it, you can then place it in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
You can reheat your in the microwave. Simple put a small piece of butter on top and microwave for 10 seconds. The butter will stop the cake from drying out.
It can also be stored in the freezer. Ensure it is wrapped tightly with plastic wrap before placing in the freezer. Defrost in the fridge before reheating.
More Keto Chocolate Desserts:
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Did you make this recipe? Please come back and leave us a comment telling us what you thought.
📖 Recipe
Keto Chocolate Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons sugar-free sweetener we used Swerve or Lakanto
- 1 large egg
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons almond flour
- 1 teaspoon coconut flour
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Place butter and sweetener in a large microwaveable mug cake (10-14 oz.) or ramekin. Heat in the microwave until butter is melted, approximately 30 seconds.
- Add the egg and vanilla and stir until combined.
- Add the almond flour, coconut flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder, then stir again.
- Microwave for 40-60 seconds or until risen and firm on the top. The time may vary depending on the size and shape of your mug. I recommend starting with the lowest time and adding more time if needed.
- Serve warm with keto ice cream, keto whipped cream, or your favorite keto frosting.
Video
Notes
- You can use your sweetener of choice.
- Use dairy-free butter to keep this keto mug cake dairy-free.
- Use a large mug and don't fill it more than half to ⅔ full. You'll avoid a mess and a cake that doesn't set in the middle. Or divide the batter into two smaller ramekins to make two keto mug cakes.
- Don't skimp on the baking powder. A keto mug cake needs a leavening agent, so ¼ teaspoon baking powder is necessary to make your cake rise. Otherwise, you may end up with a spongy, flat disk instead of a fluffy, springy cake.
- Always start with the lowest necessary cooking time. You can add a few seconds at a time if needed until your cake is firm in the center, but don't go over one minute.
Nicki
I was so happy when I saw calories were under 300...but your calories have to be wrong. From memory, 1 tbsp of butter is 100 calories and you use 2, so that's 200. Then 1 large egg is 70-80 calories. Those two ingredients are 270 and that is over your 240 calories for one serving. Should it be 2 servings or are the calories really wrong? Thanks
Four Score Living
Hi Nicki,
It makes 1 large mug cake that is two servings, or two smaller mug cakes. I hope that helps.
Ashlee
Delicious. I somehow missed adding my baking powder (I had it out but I didn't add it) and after a brief freak out, I remembered brownies rarely use leavening. So instead of a yummy cake, I ended up with a decadent brownie. No mistakes here, just happy accidents
Four Score Living
Brownie's are good too! I am so glad you liked it. Thank you for taking the time to stop back by and let me know.
Harley G.
Was wanting to try this recipe but I need to know what I can use in place of the egg. Got any suggestions?
Four Score Living
You can use a flaxegg.
Marlene
I just made these and I added half a dozen sugar-free chocolate chips on the top and I can’t wait to dig into them after dinner! They smell soooooo good!
Aprilstilskin
This is my favorite chocolate keto mug cake recipe so far. I halfed the recipe since it seemed like it was going to be big. I beat an egg in a measuring cup, it always makes a quarter cup, and then I just pour half of the amount in. I subbed coconut oil for butter because I'm allergic to dairy, and I used one whole teaspoon of vanilla without alcohol. It came out great!
Four Score Living
I am so glad you like it. Thank you for sharing what you used.
Stephanie
Ok I NEVER comment on recipes but OMG! I have tried alot of low carb or keto mug cakes and never really been super impressed but WOW! This is the Best mug cake I haver ever tried! I put a few sugar free chocolate chips in it and whipped cream and I am in heaven! Thank you so much for this recit is a keeper!
Four Score Living
I am so glad you liked it. Thank you for letting me know.
Em
Just starting this Keto, and I am a sugar hound, so getting used to the sweetener and nogluten is going to take me a while.
Just wondering though, can you add a little liquid, in my case, milk before cooking it? I found the texture very dry and I didn’t have ice cream or whipped cream to cut through it. Icing would have been wonderful, but haven’t tried any Keto icing recipes yet.
Four Score Living
Hi Em,
This mug cakes shouldn't be dry. Maybe try cutting 15 seconds off the microwave time, and see if that helps. Microwaves can sometimes run hot. With that said, you can add a tablespoon or two of water or milk if you like. It will change the texture slightly.
If you like pumpkin and haven't tried our keto pumpkin mug cake, that would be a great next mug dessert to try.
Angella Peterson
Just tried this for the first time. It was absolutely wonderful!! I put sugar free chocolate chips and whipped cream on top after it was done. Perfect cure for the sweet craving!!
Four Score Living
I am so glad you liked it. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and let me know.
Tatiana
This is my first mug cake, I've only been on Keto for about 2 weeks, while it's different than chocolate cake made with wheat it comes very close to it.
Thank-you for sharing.
Four Score Living
I am glad you like it! Thank you for taking time to stop back by and let me know.
Nicole S
Yum! This has become my go-to dessert. I don't feel sad or deprived when others are eating sugary desserts, because I can have this.
Silvana
I made this and it’s DELICIOUS and very easy! Loved
Four Score Living
I am so glad you liked it. Thank you for letting me know.
Toni
I have just made this, so quick and easy and such a rich chocolate flavour. I had this with zero carb ice cream and a drizzle of zero carb Chocolate sauce. What a wonderful sweet treat.
Four Score Living
I am so glad you loved it, Toni. Thank you for letting me know.
Ali
I just started keto roughly 4 weeks ago. I am still stocking up on keto friendly ingredients and do not have coconut flour yet. Could I use an extra teaspoon of almond flour instead? Thanks!
Four Score Living
Hi Ali,
Yes, you can use an extra teaspoon just note the texture will be slightly different.
Casey
This is the best tasting keto mug cake recipe I’ve found yet, and I’ve been doing keto since January 2019! Thanks for such a great recipe.
Four Score Living
You are welcome! I am so glad you like it. Thank you for letting me know.
Michael
Is there an alternative for the coconut powder. A member of my family lives with a coconut allergy. My mother uses tapioca starch when she uses almond flour. Would this substitution work with this recipe?
Four Score Living
I haven't tried subbing tapioca for the coconut, but I would imagine it would work.
Joann
So yummy! I just made this and it’s so good. I did use less sweetener because I didn’t want to over due it as I used a different sweetener than your recipe. I put unsweetened whipped cream on top and it’s perfect! Thanks so much for sharing.
Four Score Living
I am so glad you liked it. Thank you for stopping back by to let me know.
Dawn
Hi. Making this for dessert this evening and I’m wondering how many carbs per serving . Thank you in advance ?
Four Score Living
Hi Dawn,
Sorry, I'm just seeing this. For some reason the nutrition info disappeared. It's updated now. 4 net carbs per serving.
Amanda
Does the butter have to be salted or unsalted?
Four Score Living
You can use either.