This coconut flour Keto Peanut Butter Mug Cake is healthier, gluten free and paleo (with almond butter substitute). It also is ready in a flash to satisfy your need for a sweet fix almost instantly.
Have you tried making mug cakes before?
They are these single servings of cake that aren't baked in the oven but in the microwave. So essentially you can have a small-sized dessert in less than 5 minutes.
It sounds perfect for those sudden after-dinner sweet cravings, but I'll be the first to admit that the idea of cake made in the microwave just didn't sound right to me.
So until just a couple weeks ago I had never tried a mug cake.
First-Time Mug Cake Maker and Immediately Loved It!
But then I just did it. No cake pan, no mixer, no leftovers to deal with. And I managed to put all (from scratch) ingredients away and wipe the counter in the 2 minutes the cake was 'baking'.
How did it taste, you wonder? Awesome!
Fresh warm cake, rich and fluffy, just melting on my tongue.
I was so intrigued that I set out to develop my own, healthier version of a mug cake with coconut flour. And to my surprise, I found it was even better than the original.
Baking in the Microwave Works Really Well
Coconut flour, in its ability to absorb tons of liquid, can result in dry baked goods.
But somehow the microwave baking results in a very moist cake texture, with fine crumb and that amazing melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
This coconut flour mug cake is gluten-free with a low carb or keto option. If you replace the peanut butter with any other seed or nut butter (like almond), it is even paleo-friendly!
How to Make this Keto Peanut Butter Mug Cake in the Oven
If you don't have a microwave or prefer not to use one, you can also bake this mug cake in the oven. There are 2 options for baking the keto mug cake:
1. Bake in a Mug
Prepare the mug cake batter as usual and bake it in the oven at 350°F until baked through. The baking time will vary depending on the shape of your mug and thickness of the walls.
It could be anywhere from 20-40 minutes. So check on the gluten-free mug cake frequently. Insert a toothpick in the center and when it comes out no longer with wet batter on it. Moist crumbs is perfect, as you also don't want to overbake the mug cake.
2. Bake as Muffins
A much faster way to bake this peanut butter cake is as muffins. Divide the batter into 2-3 lined muffin cavities and bake at 350°F for about 12-15 minutes.
Coconut Flour eBook
By the way, I recently came out with an eBook full of delicious coconut flour recipes.
--->>> Check it out here!
Recipe
Coconut Flour Peanut Butter Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coconut flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter*
- 1-½ tablespoons coconut oil melted
- 1-½ tablespoons maple syrup or low-carb sweetener of choice **
- 1 tablespoon coconut milk or almond milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl whisk together coconut flour, and baking powder.
- Add egg, peanut butter, coconut oil, maple syrup, coconut milk and vanilla and mix thoroughly to combine.
- Fill into a large mug and microwave on high for about 1.5-2 minutes. Start checking at about 1 minute. Let sit for a couple minutes before eating.
- Oven option: Bake the coconut flour peanut butter mug cake at 350°F for 20-40 minutes. Check frequently as bake time depends on mug shape and thickness.
Or fill the batter into 2-3 lined muffin cavities and bake for 12-15 minutes. - Optionally top with chocolate chips or crushed peanuts.
Notes
Substituting maple syrup with sugar-free sweetener brings the carb amount down to 8.6g (4.4g net carbs), 0.9g sugar, 263 calories
Nutrition
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Products used in this Coconut Flour Peanut Butter Mug Cake Recipe:
Random Questions
Coconut flour can make baked goods dry due to its high absorbency. Ensure you're adding enough moisture, like eggs and nut butter, and not overcooking the cake.
The carb count depends on the ingredients used. Using sugar alternatives and low-carb flours like coconut flour can significantly reduce the carb content.
Mug cakes offer quick satisfaction with minimal effort. The moist, fluffy texture results from the rapid microwave cooking process, making them a convenient and indulgent treat.
Mug cakes typically consist of flour (like coconut flour), eggs, a fat source (such as nut butter), sweetener (like stevia or erythritol), and other flavorings. They're mixed in a mug and microwaved.
Overcooking can cause a mug cake to become rubbery. Ensure you're following the recommended cooking time and power level for your microwave, and don't overmix the batter.
The quick cooking in the microwave creates a moist, soft texture. Ingredients like coconut flour and eggs provide structure, while the microwave's heat rapidly evaporates moisture, resulting in the cake's light and fluffy texture.
More Low-Carb Dessert Recipes
Check out these similar low-carb, coconut flour/mug cake concoctions for your next round of baking!
Kay
Very good and moist. I reduced the recipe to a smaller serving for one. The maple syrup and peanut butter played well off each other. I use egg whites and not full eggs to cut down on the eggy taste. Adding to my favorites.
Jennifer @ Leelalicious
Thanks for your wonderful review, Kay! 🙂
Mimi Rippee
This sounds wonderful! My grand kids would have a blast making these!
Jennifer @ Leelalicious
Hi Mimi! Let us know how it goes if you make this recipe with your grand kids. I'm sure they would love it! 🙂
Lynn
I didn’t have natural peanut butter but was desperate so I used my husband’s regular PB. And I added some unsweetened cocoa (about 2-3 Tbsp) because I love chocolate and PB together. I didn’t check it until 1 minute 15 seconds, and I think 1 minute would be about right in my microwave. Next time I’ll use at least 3 Tbsp peanut butter and 2 healthy squeezes of liquid stevia (I only used 1.) I’m not experienced with stevia so I have to learn. It had a very grainy texture, but if I get the flavors right, I’m fine with that. Is that due to the coconut flour? This was my first time using it. Also, I will divide it into 2 ramekins, because the entire thing was too much for me (and I’m usually able to eat a large portion of dessert.). Overall, I think this recipe is a great starting point, and we can adapt it to suit our own tastes.
Kelli J Kreienkamp
I follow a Paleo diet 80/20 (after losing 55 pounds on a strict Paleo diet). Instead of almond mild I used Organic Valley Organic Pasture-Raised Heavy Whipping Cream (only one tablespoon!). I also used MaraNatha Almond butter. Since I am not a big chocolate fan, I sprinkled chopped almonds on top of the batter before I baked the cake. The cake turned out moist and delicious! I will make it again!!
Regina
Thanks for your great feedback Kelli. I am happy to hear you enjoyed the mug cake
KetoCakeEater
It's good but it's got to be more than 300 calories.
Kirkland Natural Peanut butter 2 tbsp is 200 (Smuckers is 180), and egg is 70 (minimum) bringing you to 270 calories. 1.5 tablespoons of butter or coconut oil is normally 150 calories (195 with Carrington Farms which you use) so you're already at 465 calories with the wet ingredients and that doesn't include the coconut/almond milk.
The dry ingredients would add negligible calories (about 30) provided you use 0 calorie sweetener.
So we're already over 500 calories by conservative estimates on this cake.
If you want it to match what you're saying, you'll need to cut all ingredients by half (and also switch to less calorie dense ingredients).
Your carb/net carb count seems about right.
Regina
Hi there, yes you are correct. The nutritional values are for 1 out of 2 servings per mug cake. I believe that infor got lost when I updated to new recipe format. It's fixed now
Katie
Great recipe!! Only change I made was to use honey. Better than most flour mug cakes, and now that I’m gluten free dairy free I can’t have them any way. I’ll make this again for sure!!!
Lindsey
Id say add more pb, sweetener and milk. But ita not bad
Amberli
I gave 2 stars instead of one because I was looking for a recipe that tasted like flavored eggs like a lot of low carb or Keto recipes I’ve tried. This one doesn’t taste like eggs, thank goodness, but I don’t think it tasted much like anything. Barely a peanut butter flavor and not sweet at all. I used truvia instead of maple (I did refer to a conversion chart) and I even put double the sweetener than what was called for. What a waste of not cheap ingredients and I’m still jonesing for a sweet-tooth fix! 🙁
Amberli
*looking for a recipe that DIDN’T taste like flavored eggs
Dzilla
I used peanut butter powder PBFit. And used two extra tablespoons of coconut milk. I thought it was great. Of course I also topped it with a scoop of chocolate halo ice cream. Delicious!
Also, there is a no bake cheesecake recipe that’s fantastic. With walnut crust. It’s been a hit. Good luck!
Sparky Balboa
I have been readings LOTS of Keto chocolate mug cake recipes and finally came up with the following, with (haven't tried it) optional peanut butter addition. You can start here and tweak with sugarless? chocolate chips or 85% chocolate pieces (don't have any).
1.5 Tbsp coconut flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 egg
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
3 Tbsp heavy cream
1 packet of Stevia (not a fan but all I have)
I add all wet together in mug and then add in dry. Microwave 70 sec. or more depending on your microwave. Optional Add: 1 Tbsp natural peanut butter...next time I make it and hoping for yummy results. Macros are:
273 Cal. 22.5g Fat 5.13g Net Carb 10.28g Protein
If you add peanut butter then add: 90Cal, 1 Carb, 8 Fat, 4 Protein
All the best in your quest! Sparky
Farzi
This was a great recipe, very moist but too little cocoa for me XD very moist though tnx <3
Angela
This was by far the best mug cake recipe I have ever made! I was leary at first, afraid it was going to be too dry because of the coconut flour. But this was super moist!! I used almond butter instead of peanut butter, added 85% cocoa chips and topped with some coconut whipped cream. Completely solved my sweet tooth! Definitely recommend!
AmyT
This is delicious, so quick and easy! Never made any baked good in micro before. This is amazing and will be repeated! Thanks for such a great recipe!
Jen
This chocolate mug cake is probably the best dessert I've had on my keto diet. It's so amazing, moist and satisfying. I used sf maple syrup as my sweetener and added almond extract. Split in half and topped with whipped cream. Seriously the stuff dreams are made of. Thank you!
Regina
Wow what a great review! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment Jen
Andre
Can I use almond flour instead of coconut flour? If so, is it the same ratio?
Regina
I am sorry I completely missed your comment. In case someone else wonders the same. I doubt almond flour will work here as this recipe was specifically developed for coconut flour, which is quite unique in its characteristics.
Carolyn
This is one of the best low carb mug cakes! My go to mug cake. Most others are either too dry, dense or flavorless. This is super moist and yummy! Thanks for the great recipe!
Regina
How wonderful! It's so great to hear this awesome feedback
Lana
I made this mug cake today. It is everything you said it was. I will make this often. Thanks!
Regina
Awesome! Thanks for the great feedback Lana. Happy you enjoyed this mug cake
Sandy
What is the calorie count on these
Regina
I am sorry Sandy, I don't count calories. But it should be easy to plug the ingredients into any calorie calculator
Sarah
Made this mug cake as a quick snack and IT IS THE BEST MUG CAKE I'VE EVER TRIED! Bonus: it didn't even stick to the mug! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe 🙂
Regina
Hi Sarah, thank you soo much for sharing your experience. I am super happy you enjoyed this mug cake as much as I do 🙂
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai
YUM’d! This looks delicious. A definite must try! Please come share your blog posts over at the Home Matters Linky Party! We’d love to have you for a visit. The Door is OPEN. http://lifewithlorelai.com/2015/06/04/home-matters-linky-party-40/ 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Regina
Tardy me, I think I missed this week. Will have to try to remember next week.:)
sophie
I don't have a microwave, but like the ingredients and would like to make this.
Do you have any idea at what temperature and for how long I would need to bake this?
Regina
Hi Sophie,
if you are going to bake this, I wouldn't recommend doing it in a mug. Instead I would make 2-3 cupcakes out of it. Try 375 F for 15 minutes. But start checking at around 10 minutes. Baking time will depend on the size of pan you use.
Olivia @ livforcake
This looks so yummy! I've never tried a mug cake before, but you may have convinced me. The ease of making and cleanup is a huge bonus!
Regina
I know you make this awesome beautiful cakes, Olivia. But if you just need a simple cake fix mug cakes are perfect. I love that it is still from scratch but takes very little time.