Chocolate Mug Cake

This six-minute sugar-free microwave mug cake will hit all the right chocolate notes while also keeping blood sugars in check.

A mug cake is the perfect way to satisfy a little after-dinner craving. It’s quick, easy, and fun to make – and it doesn’t produce an entire cake that will sit around tempting you with its carbohydrate siren song. Plus, this particular mug cake is quite low in carbs to begin with, thanks to the substitution of erythritol and almond flour for the more usual sugar and flour.

Two small caveats: First, there’s a bit of a learning curve with the timing, because it really depends on the wattage and the strength of your microwave. Just try to remember for next time what ended up working. And second, I’m saying this makes 2 servings, and I realize it’s a single cake in a mug. But you can just spoon half of it into a different mug for your cake partner. (Or you can divide the batter and bake it in two mugs or ramekins.)

Recipe Details: Chocolate Mug Cake

From Catherine Newman

Active time: 5 minutes

Total time: 6 minutes

Makes: 2 servings

Total carbohydrates: 17 grams per serving (Note that 12 of these are from the erythritol, which will not raise your blood sugar)

Recipe Note

If you’re looking to lower the fat: Substitute 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds mixed with 3 tablespoons water for the egg. To lower the salt, use unsalted butter, and omit the salt.

Lower the salt: Use unsalted butter; omit the salt.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons granulated erythritol, such as Swerve
1 egg
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons almond flour
Pinch of salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Unsweetened whipped cream (optional)

Instructions

Put the butter and Swerve in a microwave-safe mug and microwave until the butter is just melted, about 15 to 30 seconds, depending on your microwave.
Stir the butter and Swerve with a fork, then add the egg and mix well. Add the remaining ingredients (except for the whipped cream) and mix well with the fork.
Microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute and 30 seconds, stopping to check at 30 seconds and then after every 10 seconds until the cake is puffed and just set, but still looks sticky on top. (Undercooking is better than overcooking, in my opinion.)
Top with whipped cream if you like and eat right away.

Photo credits: iStock (top); Catherine Newman (bottom).