Fluffy 5-Minute Gluten-Free Vanilla Mug Cake

recipe by: Sarah Menanix

yields: serving

prep time: 5

cook time: 2

total time: 7

With this easy microwave gluten-free mug cake recipe, you're just five minutes away from a fluffy dessert for one. With this gluten-free vanilla mug cake, you personal cake the toppings to your heart's content. Mix in sprinkles or cookie dough and top with whipped cream, fresh fruit, or ice cream!

5 from 6 reviews

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (or vegetable oil)
1½ tablespoons milk, dairy or non-dairy
1 large egg yolk
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons (21 g) super-fine blanched almond flour
2½ tablespoons (21 g) gluten-free oat flour
⅜ teaspoon baking powder
Optional: 1 tablespoon sprinkles
Optional for serving: Powdered sugar, whipped cream, and/or ice cream

INSTRUCTIONS

In a 12-ounce or larger mug, whisk together all the wet ingredients: oil or melted butter, milk, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. For a cleaner appearance, you can whisk together the cake batter in a separate bowl and then pour it into the mug to cook, or for fewer dishes, whisk it directly in the mug.
Add the dry ingredients and whisk until completely smooth. If you mixed the batter up in a separate bowl, pour it into the mug. Fold in any mix-ins of your choice that you want to be dispersed throughout the batter: sprinkles, nuts, fruit, etc. For add-ins such as chopped chocolate, peanut butter, nutella, or edible cookie dough, dollop these on top without mixing.
Microwave on high. For each cake, start at 1 minute, then add 15 seconds at a time until fully baked. Microwave 1½-3 minutes (on my microwave, it takes exactly 2 minutes 30 seconds). Let cool 2-3 minutes and serve with your favorite toppings, such as whipped cream or ice cream!

Notes

Can you bake this mug cake?

I knew you'd ask this, so I tried it. And while technically it works, the texture is not ideal. This recipe is specifically designed to work with a microwave.

For a small oven-baked cake, bake ⅓ of this recipe in a 6-inch round cake pan: Gluten-free vanilla cake

Storing Mug Cakes

Don't do it. Mug cake is meant to satisfy your instant cravings. Due to the nature of microwaving the cake, it has an optimum shelf life of about 30 minutes, after which point, the texture changes drastically. I don't recommend microwaving the cake in advance. Rather, microwave it right when you want it!

If you absolutely can't finish your mug cake, store it at room temperature and reheat it for about 10-15 seconds in the microwave to bring back some life to the texture.

Help! My mug cake is dry or chewy/rubbery?

If your mug cake turned out dry, chewy, or rubbery, the culprit is more than likely overcooking. Just 15 seconds can make a drastic difference, depending on the microwave. Start with less time on the clock, checking the cake for doneness, and adding more time in 15-second intervals as needed.