Gluten Free Mug Cake

Side view of a gluten free chocolate mug cake in a white coffee mug next to a tarnished spoon.

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This simple microwave recipe takes a few basic ingredients and turns them into a delicious, moist, single-serving chocolate cake that's also entirely gluten free.

Prep: 5

Cook: 3

Total: 8

Recipe makes approximately 1 mug cake

Equipment Needed

medium mixing bowl (see Notes)
whisk
flour sifter (optional, see Notes)
microwave-safe coffee mug (8-ounce or 12-ounce mug)
Microwave
toothpick (or butter knife)

Ingredients Needed

For the Mug Cake

2 tablespoons neutral-flavored oil (avocado oil, refined coconut oil, etc.)
5 tablespoons milk of choice (whole, 2%, almond, coconut, etc.)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
¼ level cup gluten-free all-purpose flour (with xanthan gum, see Notes)
2 tablespoons granulated white sugar (or granular Swerve, or coconut sugar)
3 tablespoons baking cocoa powder
⅛ teaspoon fresh baking soda
⅛ teaspoon salt

Suggested Toppings (All Optional)

2 tablespoons chocolate chips

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Add 2 tablespoons neutral-flavored oil, 5 tablespoons milk of choice, and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract to medium mixing bowl. Whisk ingredients are fully combined.
Sift ¼ level cup gluten-free all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons granulated white sugar, 3 tablespoons baking cocoa powder, ⅛ teaspoon fresh baking soda, and ⅛ teaspoon salt into mixing bowl with wet ingredients. Whisk vigorously until ingredients are fully incorporated, forming smooth batter.
Transfer batter mixture into microwave-safe mug and top batter with 2 tablespoons chocolate chips if desired.
Place mug in microwave and microwave 60 seconds at full power. After 60 seconds, check doneness of cake. Insert toothpick or butter knife into center of cake, then immediately remove toothpick (or knife) and check for crumbs. If toothpick (or knife) is covered with wet batter or large amount of moist crumbs, return mug to microwave and microwave 10 seconds more. Repeat as needed until toothpick comes out of cake with very few or no crumbs.
Once mug cake is fully "baked", remove mug from microwave and let cool slightly. Enjoy mug cake warm or at room temperature.

Recipe Notes

Mixing Bowl: For less clean-up, you can mix the ingredients together right in your mug, instead of using a separate bowl. I just personally find it's easier to make sure everything's fully incorporated in the mixing bowl.
Flour Sifter: Totally optional - if you don't have one or don't want to use it, don't give it a second thought. Just make sure to break up any clumps or lumps in your dry ingredients before adding them to the wet ingredients so your ingredients mix completely!
Flour: We used King Arthur's Gluten-Free Measure-for-Measure Flour which contains xanthan gum.
Xanthan Gum: If your all-purpose gluten-free flour doesn't include xanthan gum, you do need to add some in separately. Your cake won't have the right texture if you don't use xanthan gum. For a recipe this small, you should only need a dash.
Bake Time: Every microwave is different. Our cake was ready after 60 seconds, but you may need additional time. Be careful not to microwave it too much or your cake will be very dry.
Make it Dairy Free: Use almond milk or coconut milk, and use dairy-free or vegan chocolate chips.
Make it Vegan: Use almond milk or coconut milk, and use vegan chocolate chips. Make sure your granulated sugar is 100% vegan and not filtered with bone char.
Make it Keto: Check out our keto mug brownie recipe!

Nutrition Info (Approximate)