Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Mug Cake with Frosting
Enjoy my Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Mug Cake with Almond Butter Caramel and Cream Cheese Frosting. Made with almond flour, carrots, raisins, coconut, and maple syrup, this single-serving treat is quick and easy to make. It’s perfect when you crave something sweet without baking an entire cake, ready in minutes.
This Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Mug Cake with Almond Butter Caramel and Cream Cheese Frosting is one of my favorite treats to whip up when I’m craving something sweet but don’t want the hassle of baking a whole cake. It’s made with simple, wholesome ingredients like almond flour, fresh carrots, golden raisins, and coconut, and it comes together in just minutes.
The cream cheese frosting is the perfect finishing touch, and I love adding a drizzle of almond butter caramel for an extra bit of flavor. This recipe is one I make all the time because it’s quick, easy, and satisfies my sweet tooth without the extra work. Whether you’re enjoying it straight from the mug or turning it into mini-cakes, it’s a delicious gluten-free treat that I’m excited to share with you.
Why You’ll Love This Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Mug Cake With Frosting
- Quick and easy: Ready in minutes, perfect for satisfying a sweet craving without baking an entire cake.
- Gluten-free goodness: Made with almond flour and wholesome ingredients, great for those following a gluten-free diet.
- Single-serving treat: Enjoy your own personal carrot cake, or slice it into two mini cakes for a cute presentation.
- Delicious toppings: Cream cheese frosting and almond butter caramel make this mug cake feel extra special and indulgent.
Ingredients & Substitutions:
Here is everything you need to make the best-tasting carrot cake mug cakes in the microwave:
Carrot Cake Batter:
Egg: You can replace it with a flaxseed or chia seed egg as a vegan alternative. To make one, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and let it thicken for a few minutes.
Almond Flour: You can also use other gluten-free flours like oat flour or rice flour. You can also use all-purpose flour if you don’t need it to be gluten-free. Keep in mind that the texture and flavor may vary.
Maple Syrup: Honey or agave syrup can be used as a substitute for maple syrup.
Light Olive Oil: You can replace with melted coconut oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil.
Cane Sugar: Any granulated sugar like white sugar, coconut sugar, or brown sugar can be used instead of cane sugar. Or use your favorite type of sweetener.
Shredded Carrot: You can use a baby carrot, regular carrot, or purple carrot. If you don’t have shredded carrot, you can use grated zucchini or apple for a similar texture and sweetness.
Shredded Coconut: You can omit the coconut or replace it with chopped nuts or seeds for added texture.
Golden Raisins: You can use regular raisins or chopped dried fruits like apricots, craisins, or dates.
Apple Cider Vinegar: This makes the cake fluffier and adds the best flavor.
Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Ginger Spices: You can omit or adjust any of these spices based on your preference.
Almond Butter Caramel:
Almond Butter: Peanut butter or any other nut or seed butter can be used instead of almond butter.
Maple Syrup: Honey or agave syrup can be used as substitutes for maple syrup.
Milk: Any type of milk, including dairy milk or plant-based milk, can be used.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
Whipped Cream Cheese: You can use regular cream cheese or dairy-free cream cheese as alternatives.
Butter: Margarine or vegan butter can be used instead of butter.
Powdered Cane Sugar: You can also use regular powdered sugar or a powdered sugar alternative like erythritol for a lower-sugar option.
How to Make My Carrot Mug Cakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Make the Carrot Cake Mug Cake Batter
Shred the carrot and set it aside. Spray the inside of a microwave-safe mug with non-stick spray or coat with butter and set aside.
In a small bowl, add the wet ingredients, including egg, oil, apple cider vinegar, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and cane sugar, until well combined.
Then, add the dry ingredients, including almond flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt to the mug. Stir until the batter is smooth.
Fold in the shredded carrot and coconut, until evenly distributed in the batter.
Step 2: Microwave the Mug Cake
Pour half of the batter into the mug and drop in half of the golden raisins. Pour in the remaining batter and top with the remaining raisins.
Microwave the mug on high for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the cake is set and springs back when lightly touched. Cooking time may vary depending on the microwave.
Carefully remove from the microwave and allow to cool.
Step 3: Prepare the Almond Butter Caramel
Mix the almond butter, maple syrup, milk, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting
In another small bowl, mix together the whipped cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
Step 5: Assemble the Mug Cake
Once the mug cake is cooked and slightly cooled, you have the option of removing it from the mug and slicing it in half for two mini-cakes or eating it out of the mug.
Drizzle the almond butter caramel over the top. Spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting over the caramel. Sprinkle with toasted coconut or chopped pecans and enjoy!
Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Mug Cake Recipe Notes
Sweetness Level: Adjust the amount of sweetener to suit your taste. You can increase or decrease the maple syrup and cane sugar based on how sweet you prefer your cake, especially if you are concerned about it’s impact on your blood sugar level.
Microwave Variations: Microwave cooking times can vary, so keep an eye on your mug cake as it cooks. Start with 1 minute and then check every 15-30 seconds until the cake is done.
Frosting Texture: If the cream cheese frosting is too thick, you can thin it out with a little milk or cream until it reaches your desired consistency.
Serving Suggestions:
Add your favorite mix-ins to the batter, such as chopped nuts, seeds, or dried fruit, for added flavor and texture. You could also add 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder to increase the protein. To decrease the sugar, you can enjoy it with a dollop of greek yogurt on top for a quick little treat.
Do you love mug cakes? Check out more of my easy and healthier mug cake recipes:
Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Mug Cake with Frosting
Ingredients
Carrot Cake Mug Cake:
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons oil (light olive oil is my fave)
- 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon cane sugar
- 1/3 cup almond flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch dried ginger
- pinch nutmeg
- pinch salt
- 1 tablespoon shredded carrot (1 baby carrot)
- 1 tablespoon coconut
- 1 tablespoon golden raisins
Almond Butter Caramel:
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons milk
- pinch salt
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 2 tablespoons whipped cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Instructions
- Shred the carrot and set it aside. Spray the inside of a microwave-safe mug with non-stick spray or coat with butter and set aside.
- In a small bowl, add the wet ingredients, including egg, oil, apple cider vinegar, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and cane sugar, until well combined.Then, add the dry ingredients, including almond flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt to the mug. Stir until the batter is smooth. Fold in the shredded carrot and coconut, until evenly distributed in the batter.
- Pour half of the batter into the mug and drop in half of the golden raisins. Pour in the remaining batter and top with the remaining raisins.Microwave the mug on high for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the cake is set and springs back when lightly touched. Cooking time may vary depending on the microwave. Carefully remove from the microwave and allow to cool.
- Mix the almond butter, maple syrup, milk, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
- In another small bowl, mix together the whipped cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Once the mug cake is cooked and slightly cooled, you can remove it from the mug and slice it in half for two mini-cakes or eat it out of the mug.Drizzle the almond butter caramel over the top. Spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting over the caramel. Sprinkle with toasted coconut or chopped pecans, and enjoy!
Video
This was the perfect treat for my husband and I. Love the simple caramel
Thank you for sharing, Agatha!
Was looking for a quick sweet treat and this hit the spot!!!
Kay, I’m so glad this could bring some sweet when you needed it 🙂
Its so easy to make, I added more maple to make it sweeter, others may not need it.
Hi Lacey, that’s great you were able to sweeten it up a little 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Cake in a mug!!! It tastes just like carrot cake. I didn’t have cream cheese so I used some whipped cream instead. Great recipe!
That’s awesome, Dolores! Whipped cream is a smart, quicker solution 🙂