If you’re looking for a quick, indulgent and healthy snack, this egg-free mug cake is ideal! Made in less than a minute with few ingredients, gluten-free and sugar-free, it’s also perfect for those with wheat intolerance. Soft, fluffy and irresistible, it will satisfy your chocolate cravings without sacrificing health! To be honest, to obtain a mug cake that is both soft and indulgent I made several tests, so I recommend avoiding white wheat flour; in my opinion it would make this cake-in-a-mug bland. After various ingredient rebalances I arrived at the recipe I wanted and I’m happily sharing it with you. Try it and let me know in the comments if you found it delicious and soft.
What is a Mug Cake?
The mug cake (egg-free version) is a single-serving cake prepared directly in a mug using the microwave. You can of course make it with an egg as well; in any case it’s a super quick solution for when you crave something sweet but don’t want to fuss. The name “mug cake” comes from the English word “mug” (meaning cup) and “cake” (meaning cake). A dessert ready in minutes and without mess!
But now let’s make this wonderful fluffy Mug Cake in 1 minute, it really is child’s play!
Also try other tasty sugar-free recipes you can make in 5 minutes.
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 1 Minute
- Portions: 1
- Cooking methods: Microwave
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Summer, All seasons
- Energy 165.36 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 20.55 (g) of which sugars 3.89 (g)
- Proteins 5.67 (g)
- Fat 10.80 (g) of which saturated 3.50 (g)of which unsaturated 1.54 (g)
- Fibers 5.65 (g)
- Sodium 3.55 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 90 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon rice flour (about 10 g (about 0.35 oz))
- 3 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder (about 15 g (about 0.53 oz))
- sweetener (or 2 teaspoons of regular sugar for those who prefer)
- 5 tablespoons milk (about 75 ml (about 3 fl oz). A plant-based milk is fine if preferred)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (about 15 ml (about 0.5 fl oz))
- 1 pinch baking powder (for desserts)
Tools
- microwave oven
- microwave-safe mugs for Mug Cake
Preparation
In a mug or a glass, combine the rice flour, the unsweetened cocoa, the baking powder and the sweetener.
Add the oil and the milk (or plant-based drink). Mix well until you obtain a smooth, homogeneous batter. If you want to make it even tastier, you can add a small square of dark chocolate into the batter before cooking.
Place the glass in the microwave and cook at maximum power (on my microwave set to High) for about 35 seconds.
After cooking, let it cool slightly
and then enjoy it in all its softness and indulgence!
Storage of the egg-free Mug Cake:
The mug cake is made to order and should be enjoyed immediately to maintain its softness and freshness. If there are leftovers, you can store it in the fridge for up to 1 day, but I recommend reheating it briefly in the microwave before eating, or moistening it slightly with something warm like coffee or almond milk — it will become as soft as when freshly made.
Variations
To make the egg-free Mug Cake, you can substitute the sweetener with your favorite option: coconut sugar, agave syrup or honey. For milk you can use regular milk or plant-based milk depending on your tastes or needs. If you want to replace rice flour, you can do so without problems; the ones I recommend are almond flour or lupin flour—both are naturally sweet, gluten-free and make batters soft.
Questions and Answers
Is this egg-free Mug Cake suitable for a diet?
Yes, this egg-free Mug Cake is perfect for those following a ketogenic or low-carb diet. Thanks to the low carbohydrate content and a good supply of healthy fats, it’s ideal for those who want a sweet treat that doesn’t compromise their nutritional goals. Also, it’s sugar-free, so it’s suitable for those avoiding added sugars or who have gluten intolerance if you use rice flour or the almond or lupin alternatives.
Can I omit the oil when preparing this egg-free Mug Cake?
You can omit the oil, but it’s important to consider that the oil helps make the Mug Cake moist and tender. Without oil, the texture may be drier and less fluffy. If you prefer an oil-free version, you can replace it with another moistening ingredient such as Greek yogurt or a small amount of applesauce to maintain the desired texture.
I’d like to try this egg-free, sugar-free Mug Cake: can I cook it another way instead of the microwave?
Yes, you can also bake the Mug Cake in the oven at 356°F (180°C) for about 12-15 minutes. Alternatively, you can cook it in a covered pan over low heat for 5-7 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick.
