Keto mug cake is perfect when you need a delicious dessert in a flash. There’s nothing easier or more comforting than this easy sugar-free snickerdoodle cake. Only 5 minutes, start to finish!
Mug cakes were an absolute revelation for me when I first started food blogging. Wait…what? You mean you can make cake in 5 minutes flat? And you can just do one or two servings? You can have cake any old time?
I could hardly fathom it. In my experience, baking a cake took quite a bit of time and effort. So when I tried making my first keto mug cake, I was totally floored
Done right, it’s just as airy and delicious as cake baked in the oven. And since this Snickerdoodle Mug Cake has long been one of my most popular recipes, I think I’ve done it right!
If you love cookies make sure sure to also check out my Keto Snickerdoodles.
Why you will love this recipe
If you’re a dessert lover who’s short on time, keto mug cake is the way to go. And there are so many great ways to make it, with just about any flavor you want.
You can make keto chocolate mug cakes, peanut butter mug cakes, and even blueberry lemon. I also have a wonderful recipe for a gooey keto mug brownie. The possibilities are endless.
They take a handful of basic ingredients that you likely already have in your keto pantry. You only need a little flour, some sweetener, eggs, oil, and liquid to make them.
They are also easily adapted for any dietary restrictions, such as nut-free or dairy-free. So everyone can enjoy these quick and easy cakes.
Reader testimonials
Outstanding! Just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy that cake craving!The only difference is I used golden monkfruit instead of Swerve granular.I will definitely be making this again, thank you! — Kathy
Best keto mug cake recipe I have ever tried! And I have tried many. I only made one serving and used the whole egg instead of trying to split it. Haha. Was out of cream so I put water in its place. Was still delicious! I am sure it would even be better if I could have followed it to a t. — Sarab
Ingredients you need
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- Almond flour: To make it nut free, swap out almond flour with sunflower seed flour.
- Coconut flour: This helps the consistency of the cake and also reduced the carb count.
- Sweetener: Use your favorite granular sweetener. This recipe works with Swerve, BochaSweet or allulose.
- Ground cinnamon: You can’t have snickerdoodles without plenty of cinnamon!
- Cream of tartar and baking soda: Snickerdoodle cookies are made with baking soda and cream of tartar. They give the cookies a unique tangy flavor, so that’s what I used in this keto mug cake as well. If you don’t have these ingredients, you can use ½ teaspoon of baking powder.
- Kitchen staples: Eggs, butter, cream, vanilla extract, and salt.
Step by step directions
1. Cinnamon “sugar”: Make this first so that you can sprinkle it into the middle of the batter as well as on the top. In a small bowl, whisk together sweetener and cinnamon for the topping. Set aside.
2. Combine the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, sweetener, cinnamon, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
3. Add the wet ingredients: Stir in the egg, butter, whipping cream, and vanilla extract. If your batter is overly thick, add water, 1 teaspoon at a time. It should be just barely pourable.
4. Assemble the mug cake: Divide half the batter between two coffee mugs or ramekins. Sprinkle with half of the cinnamon mixture. Divide the remaining batter between mugs and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon mixture.
5. Cook: Microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes, until puffed and just barely cooked through. Remove and let cool 5 minutes.
Expert Tips and FAQ
Mug size: When baked in the microwave, these snickerdoodle keto mug cakes rise very rapidly. Make sure your mugs or ramekins are large enough to accommodate this. You want them to be at least 3/4 cup capacity and you don’t want to fill them more than two-thirds full.
Oven-baking: You can also make them in an oven or toaster oven too, but they will take longer. Bake it at 325ºF for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut oil or avocado oil in place of the butter, and coconut milk in place of the heavy cream.
Nut-Free Option: Use sunflower seed flour in place of the almond flour. But remember to add a little lemon juice (1 tablespoon) to offset the funny green reaction.
This keto mug cake recipe has 7.4g of carbohydrate and 3.7g of dietary fiber. Thus it has 3.7g of NET CARBS per serving.
Because they cook so quickly, it’s easy to overcook mug cakes. I like to take mine out when the center still looks a little wet, to ensure that it’s not dried out. For these keto mug cakes, 90 seconds on high works well.
Yes, you can make these cakes in advance. Cover them tightly and store at room temperature for 1 day. You can also store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, place it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds until just warm.
Serving suggestions:
- I eat keto mug cake right out of the mug, but you can also flip them out onto a dish. Make sure you grease the ramekin or mug very well if you plan on doing this.
- Take your cakes to the next level with a little whipped cream or keto ice cream.
- The Mini Snickerdoodle Cookies from High Key looks so adorable on top.
- If you really want to gild the lily, try drizzling it with some of my keto caramel sauce!
Keto Mug Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Cinnamon Filling/Topping:
- 2 tsp Swerve Sweetener
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Mug Cakes:
- 5 tbsp almond flour
- 1 tbsp coconut flour
- 2 tbsp Swerve Sweetener
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp baking soda
- 1/8 tsp cream of tartar
- Pinch salt
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp melted butter, (try avocado oil for dairy-free)
- 1 tbsp heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- Water to thin batter, if necessary
Instructions
Filling/Topping:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sweetener and cinnamon. Set aside.
Mug Cakes:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, sweetener, cinnamon, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
- Add the egg, butter, whipping cream, and vanilla extract and stir until well combined. If your batter is overly thick, add water, 1 tsp at a time. It should be just barely pourable.
- Divide half the batter between two coffee mugs or ramekins. Sprinkle with half of the topping mixture. Divide the remaining batter between mugs and sprinkle with the remaining topping mixture.
- Cook on high in microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, until puffed and just barely cooked through.
- Remove and let cool 5 minutes. Serve warm with lightly sweetened whipped cream, if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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We don’t have a microwave. How long would this need to bake in a toaster oven or conventional oven and on what heat?
You will need to experiment! I’d bake on 325F.
Thank you! This dessert was EXACTLY what my heart wanted. Kept me from sneaking in sweets that aren’t good for me. It will be my go to when I am craving sugar. ????????
I really got a sweet tooth and being Keto this has been heaven sent. Thank you
These are so yummy! Just enough and I don’t have to eat more than I need.
Just made the snickerdoodle mug cake
for my husband and I and we just loved them topped with whipped cream
Delicious! Thanks so much
I thought this was easy and delicious!!
Will make again!!
Hello. Love to watch the videos for demonstration. However in the video you used one tablespoon of butter and the recipe says two. Can you get by with one? Thanks.
It should be 1 tablespoon. You are the first person to catch that!
Lovely, hit the spot. Per my norm I lightened the swerve a bit. My dh thought it was great as well. I use these recipes occasionally to keep him on track. Greatly appreciate all your hard work Carolyn!
OH my goodness, THIS is perfect. I’m always looking for something simple that I can make for just at the moment I’d like something sweet. The only change I made was I uses a mixed sweetener of Erythritol and monk fruit. It’s a bit sweeter than swerve. I say this all the time, Carolyn knows exactly what I need. Thank you Carolyn for all you do to make my low carb/keto lifestyle sustainable. You are the Queen!!
Outstanding! Just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy that cake craving!
The only difference is I used golden monkfruit instead of Swerve granular.
I will definitely be making this again, thank you!
Can you bake in the oven if you don’t have microwave.
Yes, but be sure to use oven-safe dishes! Coffee mugs aren’t always oven-safe. I recommend 325f. Not sure of the timing, probably similar to cupcakes so 18 to 25 min?
This is nothing but perfect! Snickerdoodles are my absolute favorite. Thank you for this wonderful, easy recipe!
The absolute best snickerdoodle mug cake ever! X2 I will make this again & share with family. Thank you kindly for this recipe
Absolutely delicious! Will be making often.
This is just the perfect little cinnamon treat.
You need this! You just don’t know it yet! It’s comfort flavors that I have missed in a keto legal form! Yummy!
Hi Carolyn,
Mug cakes are just the best, and this one sounds divine! I’m also going to make your Lemon Blueberry mug cake, as I love that flavor combination. Thanks so much for sharing this delicious single serving desserts! 🙂
This was so good. I have 3 of your books but didn’t see a mug cake in them, so I looked at your site and found this recipe with great reviews (not really knowing what a snickerdoodle was as I’m a Brit living in USA). It was amazing, and it made my husband so happy knowing we could do this at the drop of a hat. Thank you so much, Carolyn!!
Used this recipe in the Dash Bundt maker – delicious!! Made 2 Wrapped and freeze for later.
Best mug cake recipe I have ever tried! And I have tried many. I only made one serving and used the whole egg instead of trying to split it. Haha. Was out of cream so I put water in its place. Was still delicious! I am sure it would even be better if I could have followed it to a t.