This Mini Keto Gluten-Free Mug Cake is actually a Pumpkin Cake recipe made Sugar-Free, Grain Free, and Nut Free. It's layered with Sugar-Free Maple Cream frosting between perfect pumpkin spice cake! Just 4 g net carbs per serving!
Easy Keto Pumpkin Mug Cake
This pumpkin mug cake is made in minutes and tastes like all the fall flavors you love! It is heavenly all by itself, but adding some Sugar-Free Maple Cream Frosting between those layers of perfectly moist pumpkin cake is even better!
I don't know who it was who dreamed up the idea for mug cakes made in minutes in the microwave, but whoever it was, I am eternally grateful!
I love mug cakes and love creating new flavors and combinations! This delicious keto mug cake is my favorite for this time of year!
Baking instructions are included in the directions on the recipe card below if you're not into using a microwave. Printable recipe card and nutrition information are all at the bottom of this blog post.
Quick Low Carb Pumpkin Mug Cake
I'm a busy homeschooling mom who runs a full time business from home and is on a keto diet. I don't have a whole lot of time on my hands to make beautiful traditional cakes and I have very few on my blog as a result.
I only make traditional, large portion cakes for birthdays and holidays and that is it.
One of the biggest reasons is that I have a problem with portion control. Once keto desserts are there sitting on the counter or in the fridge I can not seem to control myself wanting a piece each day. Keto mug cake recipes are made for people like me.
I think the orginial mug cake idea was probably made for just one single serving. And I have a bunch of them on my blog because that's how I roll.
Make it. Eat it. Forget about it. No more going back for seconds because there isn't any with a single keto cake made in a microwave-safe mug, you make it once and it's done, no leftovers. That works for me.
But it's also a good idea for my whole family. My children have got that sweet tooth like their momma. They need portion control just like I do.
In comes my idea for a low carb mug cake made for more than one. More like 2-4 depending on your portion control issues.
Can I swap the low-carb sweetener?
I use a variety of sugar free sweeteners. When it comes to keto recipes, using a combination of two different sweeteners helps to not have any aftertaste.
I avoid sugar alcohols like Maltitol, Sorbitol because they cause me GI distress. I have used erythritol but since studies have come out about health concerns, I am trying to steer clear of using it in my recipes knowing that many of you are questioning using it as well.
Lately I have been using a blend of monk fruit and allulose sweetener which is working well in my recipes. I also love liquid monk fruit and liquid stevia.
If you don't have cinnamon liquid stevia, clear or vanilla stevia is fine to use as well. You could also just use more granulated sweetener if you prefer not to use liquid, just taste and adjust as needed for the frosting.
Here's my Sweetener Guide & Conversion Chart.
Healthy Mug Cake Recipe
Make two perfect little mug cakes. Make frosting. Layer just like you would for a regular large cake.
The first time I tried this idea was for my hubby. It was a Red Velvet Valentine's Couple's Mug Cake and it was what has gotten me to love the whole layering mug cake idea.
I've been on a crazy mission ever since making these layered mug cakes!
- Tiramisu Layered Mug Cake
- Carrot Cake for 2
- Cannoli Layered Mug Cake
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Layered Mug Cake
- Keto Chocolate Mug Cake
- Keto Peanut Butter Mug Cake
And now this!
While it's still a delicious low carb dessert, it's just mini!
Slice into 4 sections. The great thing is I get one piece and each of my 3 kids get a piece. No leftovers and that is the best thing if you have portion control issues.
Afternoon time once school is done, this is the perfect little snack. No sugar, not a whole lot of calories so it won't ruin their dinner and it's made in minutes. Nothing sweeter to a mom like me then some extra time on my hands instead of slaving in the kitchen making cake!
Healthy Pumpkin Mug Cake with Maple Cream Frosting
Sugar-Free Pumpkin Spice Maple Cream Layered Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup heavy cream or coconut milk for dairy free
- ⅓ cup canned pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- ⅓ cup Monk Fruit Allulose sweetener
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or use ¼ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon cloves
- pinch salt
Maple Cream Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ teaspoon maple extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon liquid stevia
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 2 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Whisk first 3 wet ingredients together in a small mixing bowl until combined.
- Stir in remaining dry ingredients.
- Grease 2 ramekins or you can use a coffee mug. I used quiche ramekins which are more shallow.
- Divided batter among 2 serving mugs or ramekins.
- Cooking time will vary depending on your microwave wattage. Microwave one cake at a time 1 minute then check with a toothpick in center, if it comes out clean it's done if not cook another 30 seconds more then check again.
- Allow to cool completely before frosting.
- Not into microwave or don't have one? Bake these in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
- Make the frosting by placing all ingredients into a stand mixer and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust sweetener if needed. Frost cake and enjoy!
- Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Video
Notes
- Nutrition Info does include frosting.
- This recipe was first published in September 2016 and updated with video in October 2018.
Nutrition
About Brenda
Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.
Christy
Looks nothing like that. Turned out like a quiche. Spongy and egg like. I did use almond flour because I'm allergic to coconut.
Brenda
So almond flour can't be evenly swapped with coconut. 1/4 cup coconut equals about 1 cup almond flour because coconut needs more liquids and eggs.
Debbie
I've made these forever but have never commented on your site. Just made them again and wanted to say this recipe is sooooooo good. I tweaked a little and used honey as sweetener. My husband loves it. Thanks a bunch for a great recipe!!
Kathy
I used sugar-free almond milk
JOEL CRAYNE
Brenda, I'm sure someone must have remarked on this earlier, but the print button on the Sugar-Free Pumpkin Spice Maple Cream Layered Mug Cake recipe doesn't work.
This forces you to print 23 pages or cut and paste 4 pages for the recipe into Word.
Not a good choice.
Other than that I love the site and the recipes.
I've made some of the mousses, and my wife who's sugar free and a celiac besides loves them.
I'm a hero thanks to you (btw, her name is Brenda also).
Brenda
Thanks for letting me know about the print button, I'll ask my tech person to fix it, thank you!
Darlene Finnigan
Can you use pure maple syrup instead of the extract?
Brenda
Sure
Patty Gutierrez
Hi the recipe says heavy cream but the video says half and half
,I’m about to make it and have both but can you please clarify
Thank you
Brenda
Nutrition info is using the heavy cream as per recipe ingredients. Either can be used.
Paula
I don't see how to make the frosting. Maybe I'm supposed to figure it out myself but I'm not sure of myself with this
Brenda
I just updated the recipe instructions for the frosting.
Christy
Can this be made dairy free? This looks delicious, but can't have dairy
Nicole
Just curious if you have frozen these? I'm a single woman with no one to share with... Would hate for it to spoil. And to avoid over eating temptation, freezing is there best option.
Nicole
I've frozen them and they are perfect
Connie
Nicole when you say that it can be frozen, with icing as well? TIA
Nita
I made this and it is really good. I love pumpkin cookies with chocolate chips so I added a couple Tablespoons to the cake. I will be making this again.
Kim Beaulieu
Oh my gosh, I'd eat the heck out of this cake. Love mug cakes, they are so simple and tasty.
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
This is such a cute little cake! And what a great idea to use two ramekins.