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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    The Best Gluten-Free Mug Cake (so easy!)

    Modified: Mar 13, 2025 • Published: Jan 21, 2024 by Dr. Erin Carter • This post may contain affiliate links • Leave a Comment

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    A chocolate gluten free mug cake topped with chocolate chips with a spoon in it.
    A chocolate gluten free mug cake topped with chocolate chips and with a spoon in it.
    A chocolate gluten free mug cake topped with chocolate chips with a spoon in it.

    You are going to love this gluten-free mug cake recipe! This single serving dessert is quick and easy to make in only 5 minutes, and has the most amazing dark chocolate fudgy flavour.

    A chocolate mug cake with chocolate chips on top and a spoon with a piece of cake on it resting on the cake.

    Mug cakes like chocolate almond flour mug cake are some of the easiest desserts you will ever make, which is why I am so excited to share another delicious mug cake recipe with you today!

    Table of Contents
    • Why you will love this recipe:
    • Ingredients and substitutions:
    • Recipe variations and add ins:
    • How to make gluten-free mug cake:
    • Top tips:
    • Gluten-free mug cake FAQs:
    • Other gluten-free desserts you will love:
    • Recipe

    Why you will love this recipe:

    • It's so quick and easy to make and is ready in less than 5 minutes. It takes way less time than baking a cake in the oven.
    • The taste! This chocolate mug cake is so rich and fudgy and has the perfect cake-like texture.
    • Besides being gluten-free this healthy mug cake recipe is also dairy-free and refined sugar free and I've included an option to make it egg free and vegan.
    • Kids love this double chocolate cake and can help you make it!

    If you love mug cakes you will also love my 3 ingredient chocolate mug cake recipe, vanilla protein mug cake recipe and snickers mug cake.

    Ingredients and substitutions:

    For the full ingredient list and exact measurements refer to the recipe card later in this post.

    Jump to the Recipe Card.
    The ingredients needed to make a gluten free chocolate mug cake separated into small bowls.
    • Coconut milk - to add the perfect amount of moisture to this chocolate mug cake. I recommend using full fat coconut milk for the best results.
    • All purpose gluten-free flour blend - There are many great brands that you can buy, but the one I use and love is Bob's Red Mills All Purpose Gluten Free Flour. If you are not gluten free you could swap this for regular flour.
    • Cocoa powder or cacao powder - either of these will work to give this gluten-free mug cake its rich dark chocolate flavour.
    • Maple syrup - is used to naturally sweeten this easy dessert while keeping it refined sugar free. You could swap this for honey. 
    • Chocolate chips - are added to turn this into a double chocolate gluten-free mug cake and give it a bit more sweetness. I recommend using dark chocolate chips and if you want to keep this mug cake refined sugar free be sure to use chocolate chips sweetened with coconut sugar.

    Recipe variations and add ins:

    • Instead of coconut milk you can use any type of milk that you like to make this gluten-free mug cake including dairy milk, almond milk, or cashew milk.
    • Add some nuts such as chopped pecans or walnuts to give this mug cake even more texture. 
    • To make this into a vegan chocolate mug cake: use a chia egg or flax egg instead of an egg.
    • You can add a pinch of ground cinnamon or sea salt to give this mug cake a different flavour.

    How to make gluten-free mug cake:

    A mug with cocoa powder and coconut milk in it.
    1. Step 1: First, add all the ingredients, except for the chocolate chips, to a large microwave safe mug. 
    A chocolate cake batter in a mug with a spoon in it.
    1. Step 2: Then stir the ingredients well until you have a smooth batter. 
    Chocolate cake batter topped with chocolate chips in a mug with a spoon in it.
    1. Step 3: Now stir in half the chocolate chips and heat the mug in the microwave on high heat for 110-120 seconds. 
    A chocolate cake in a mug topped with chocolate chips.
    1. Step 4: Remove the mug from the microwave and top the cake with the remaining chocolate chips and let it cool for a few minutes. Then serve and enjoy!

    Top tips:

    • Use a large mug to make this cake. If you use a short mug it might overflow when you cook it.
    • Be sure to use a microwave-safe mug or it might shatter in the microwave.
    • Be sure to stir or whisk the ingredients well so there aren't any clumps remaining in the batter before you cook it. 
    • Do not cover the cake when you heat it in the microwave - it will become more slimy if you do this. 
    • Don't overcook the cake - if you cook it too long it will turn out more dry and crumbly rather than moist and fudgy.
    • The mug will be hot when you take it out of the microwave so be careful and use oven mitts if you need to.
    • Be sure to let this cake cool for a couple minutes after it's finished cooking - this will give it the perfect cake texture. If you try to eat it right away it will be more slimy rather than cakey.
    • Storage: this cake is best served right away but you could cover it and store it in the fridge overnight.
    • Serving tips: this gluten-free cake is delicious served as is, but you could also top it with ice cream, coconut whipped cream, vanilla yogurt, chocolate sauce or even more chocolate chips to make it even more decadent.
    A chocolate mug cake with chocolate chips on top of it and a spoon with a piece of cake resting on it.

    Gluten-free mug cake FAQs:

    How do you keep mug cakes from getting rubbery?

    Adding too many eggs or too many liquids can make a mug cake rubbery so the key is balancing the ingredients. As well, when you first take a mug cake out of the microwave it will be a little more rubbery, but if you let it cool for a few minutes it will develop more of a cake like texture.

    How do you add moisture to a gluten free cake?

    You can add moisture to gluten free cakes many different ways including adding eggs, liquid sweeteners, applesauce, milk, or dairy free milks.

    Can you eat raw mug cake batter?

    If your mug cake batter contains an egg then it is not safe to eat raw. However, if your mug cake batter is egg free then it would be safe to eat raw.

    Is this mug cake paleo?

    No it is not.

    Can I bake this cake in an oven?

    If you want to bake this mug cake in the oven be sure to use an oven safe mug or a large ramekin instead. Prepare the batter as you would for the microwave method and then place the mug or ramekin on a baking sheet, and bake it for 15-20 minutes at 350° Fahrenheit. Top it with the remaining chocolate chips and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

    Can I freeze this mug cake?

    I do not recommend it no.

    Other gluten-free desserts you will love:

    • A stack of five chocolate raspberry cups and the top one has a bite out of it so you can see the raspberry filling.
      Chocolate Raspberry Cups
    • One large piece of a dairy free brownie with caramel drizzled on it.
      The Best Dairy-Free Brownies with Caramel (gluten-free & paleo)
    • A stack of four pieces of chocolate coffee banana bread with a plant behind them.
      The Best Chocolate Coffee Banana Bread (gluten-free & dairy-free)
    • A stack of chocolate almond butter bars and the top one has a bite out of it.
      Chocolate Almond Butter Bars (gluten-free)

    Since you made it this far we are basically best friends so be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook where I share even more recipes and healthy living tips! And don’t forget to leave this recipe a star review before you go!

    Recipe

    A mug full of a chocolate gluten free mug cake topped with chocolate chips and with a spoon in it.

    Gluten-Free Mug Cake

    This is the best chocolate gluten-free mug cake! It's so quick and easy to make and has the most rich, moist and fudgy flavour.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 4 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 578kcal
    Author: Dr. Erin Carter

    Equipment

    • Large microwave safe mug

    Ingredients

    • 1/4 cup coconut milk (or other milk of your choice)
    • 3 tablespoon maple syrup
    • 1 egg
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1/4 cup all purpose gluten free flour
    • 3 tablespoon cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
    • 2 tablespoon chocolate chips

    Instructions

    • Add all the ingredients, except the chocolate chips, to a large mug.
    • Stir the ingredients well until you have a smooth batter.
    • Stir in half of the chocolate chips.
    • Place the mug in the microwave and heat it on high for 110-120 seconds.
    • Top the mug cake with the remaining chocolate chips and let it cool for a few minutes. Then serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    1. Nutritional values are an estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients you use. 
    2. Be sure to let the cake cool for a few minutes before you eat it - this will allow it to become more cakey in texture. 
    3. Do not cover the cake when you cook it in the microwave - it will become more slimy if you do this. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 578kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 77mg | Potassium: 595mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 238IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 139mg | Iron: 6mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @pureandsimpleno or tag #pureandsimpleno!

    DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

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    My name is Dr. Erin Carter and I am so thrilled you are here. I am a physician with specialties in both internal medicine and rheumatology, and I believe that food and healthy living are forms of medicine. In my spare time I share health information and delicious, healthy recipes here on Pure and Simple Nourishment.

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