Tag

cake

Browsing

We LOVE a healthy sweet treat around here, and this gluten free mug cake fits right in! If you know me, you know I’m a total dessert person. I eat dessert quite literally every single night. Lately, my go-to simple dessert recipes have been my healthy gluten free cookie dough, or if I have a few extra minutes I’ll bake these one-bowl gluten free almond flour chocolate chip cookies (SO GOOD!). But now, I’m super excited to add this 6-ingredient gluten free mug cake to the rotation!

This recipe is gluten-free, paleo, and dairy-free! But still perfectly sweet and totally indulgent. It’s also one of those recipes you can customize however you’d like. I love adding a small handful of chocolate chips to mine for a chocolate chip mug cake. Or, when I’m feeling festive, I’ll mix in a tablespoon of rainbow sprinkles! However you serve it, I guarantee you’ll love it.

overhead image of healthy gluten free mug cake with chocolate chips on top.
Here’s a link to the microwave-safe mugs I used for this recipe!

What You’ll Need To Make A Healthy Gluten Free Mug Cake

Almond Flour: Almond flour serves as the base for this mug cake, providing a nutty flavor and tender texture. It’s also a great gluten-free alternative to traditional flour. I buy my almond flour in bulk, so I always have some on-hand for this recipe!

Maple Syrup: Sweeten your mug cake naturally with maple syrup, adding a touch of sweetness without refined sugars.

Egg: A large egg helps bind the ingredients together and provides structure and extra fluffiness to the mug cake.

Coconut Oil: Melted coconut oil adds moisture to the cake, resulting in a soft and fluffy texture. Feel free to use any oil or melted butter of your choice if coconut oil isn’t available.

Vanilla Extract: Enhance the flavor of your mug cake with a splash of vanilla extract, adding depth and richness!

Baking Powder: Baking powder is a pantry stables, and it helps this gluten free mug cake rise and become light and airy.

healthy gluten free mug cake ingredients laid out on a table.

Tips and Tricks

  • Ensure all ingredients are well combined to prevent any pockets of unmixed flour or egg in your mug cake. Use a fork or small whisk to thoroughly whisk the batter until smooth.
  • Microwave cooking times may vary, so keep an eye on your mug cake as it cooks. If the cake looks like it’s about to overflow, pause the microwave and allow it to settle before continuing to cook.
  • After microwaving, resist the temptation to dive right into your mug cake. Let it cool for a few minutes to avoid burning your mouth! Trust me, learn from my mistakes.

How To Bake It In The Oven Instead

  1. Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
  2. Whisk together all ingredients in an oven-safe mug or ramekin.
  3. Bake for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted down the center of the mug cake comes out clean.
  4. Let it cool for a few minutes, then enjoy!

Make This Gluten-Free Mug Cake Vegan (No Egg)

For a vegan version of this recipe, simply replace the egg with 2 tablespoons of apple sauce or 2 tablespoons of non-dairy milk. The cake won’t rise quite as much, but it’ll taste just as delicious!

gluten free mug cake with chocolate chips on top.
5 from 3 votes

Healthy Gluten Free Mug Cake

This gluten free mug cake is the perfect quick and easy sweet treat! Perfectly sweet, moist, and totally delicious. Throw this healthier dessert together with just 6 ingredients in 5 minutes.
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 serving

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup almond flour
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil, or any vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a mug and whisk until a batter comes together.
  • Microwave the mug for 2 minutes, then carefully remove from the microwave (the mug will be hot!) and let it cool for a few minutes.
  • Top with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream and enjoy!

Notes

  • Check the bottom of your mug to make sure it’s microwave safe before using it in this recipe!
  • This healthy cheesecake is light, tangy, and only tastes indulgent! It’s entirely vegan, gluten-free, and made with the healthiest ingredients. Enjoy a big slice of this healthy cheesecake with some fresh berries for dessert, a snack, or even breakfast – yup, it’s THAT healthy!

    close up overhead image of healthy cheesecake with fresh strawberries of healthy cheese

    I didn’t always love cheesecake. Most I tried were too dry, dense, and/or sweet. Therefore, in developing this cheesecake I made sure it was light, almost fluffy, and perfectly sweet! And it wouldn’t be a SDHB recipe if I didn’t make it healthier too. I took the best cheesecake recipes I could find, substituted a few simple ingredients, and voilà this better-for-you cheesecake recipe was born!

    Ingredients such as vegan cream cheese, vegan yogurt, and a touch of maple syrup make for a more nutritient dense recipe. I wish I had recorded the look on my boyfriend’s face when I told him this cheesecake was SO healthy he could, in fact, eat it for breakfast! Once he processed the near too-good-to-be-true news, he excitedly inhaled a massive slice of this vegan and gluten-free treat.

    What You Need To Make Healthy Cheesecake

    Gluten-Free Graham Crackers – I used my own recipe for gluten-free graham crackers, though you can use your favorite store bought gluten-free graham crackers instead. To turn them into graham cracker crumbs you can either seal them in a ziploc bag and crush them with a rolling pin or heavy object, or add them to a food processor and give them a few pulses. Once all crackers have been ground into crumbs and no large pieces remain, you’re ready to use them in this recipe!

    Vegan Cream Cheese – I used and love the Kite Hill Plain Vegan Cream Cheese in this recipe! Though feel free to use your favorite vegan cream cheese instead. If not vegan, you can use regular cream cheese. However, be sure to avoid flavored cream cheeses, plain is necessary for this healthy cheesecake recipe.

    Vegan Yogurt – Similar to the vegan cream cheese, make sure your vegan yogurt is plain and unsweetened. Any added flavors or sugar would completely throw off the balance of this recipe. I used plain coconut yogurt and had great results, though any non-dairy plain unsweetened yogurt will work!

    Corn Starch – Most cheesecakes contain eggs to help bind the filling once baked. However, this cheesecake recipe is both healthy and vegan with the use of corn starch instead. Corn starch is imperative in getting this cheesecake to firm up and set to its perfectly light and soft consistency. If you don’t have corn starch, you can use arrowroot starch instead.

    Adjust This Recipe To Your Diet

    • Add Dairy: Use regular butter, cream cheese, and yogurt in this recipe if not vegan or dairy-free.
    • Make it Paleo: Use paleo graham crackers, coconut oil instead of vegan butter, and arrowroot starch instead of cornstarch to turn this into a healthy paleo cheesecake recipe!

    Healthy Cheesecake (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

    0 from 0 votes
    Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Intermediate
    Servings

    8

    servings
    Prep time

    10

    minutes
    Cooking time

    30

    minutes
    Chilling Time

    8

    hours

    This healthy cheesecake is light, tangy, and only tastes indulgent! It’s entirely vegan, gluten-free, and made with the healthiest ingredients. Enjoy a big slice of this healthy cheesecake with some fresh berries for dessert, a snack, or even breakfast – yup, it’s THAT healthy!

    Ingredients

    • For the graham cracker crust:
    • 1 1/2 cups gluten-free graham cracker crumbs, see Notes

    • 5 tablespoons vegan butter, melted

    • 1 tablespoon coconut oil

    • For the cheesecake filling:
    • 16 ounces plain vegan cream cheese

    • 2 cups plain unsweetened vegan yogurt

    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

    • 1/2 cup maple syrup

    • 3 tablespoons corn starch, see Notes

    • Pinch of salt

    Directions

    • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
    • Add all graham cracker crust ingredients to a large bowl and mix together.
    • Transfer crust to the springform pan, flatten into an even layer across the bottom, then bake for 7-8 minutes or until slightly golden brown.
    • Beat all cheesecake filling ingredients together in a large bowl then transfer to the pan and smooth over the crust.
    • Fill a pan with 1-inch of water and transfer it to the oven on the lower rack.
    • Place the cheesecake on the upper rack, above the water and bake for 30-35 minutes. Crack the oven door and allow cheesecake to cool in the oven for 1 hour.
    • Remove from the oven and chill in the fridge for at least 8 hours before slicing and eating.

    Recipe Video

    Notes

    • Gluten-Free Graham Cracker Crumbs: I made my vegan and gluten-free graham crackers, then turned them into crumbs by pulsing them in a food processor. However, you can use store bought gluten-free graham crackers instead if you’d like.
    • Corn Starch: Feel free to use arrowroot starch instead!

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share it and tag @samdoesherbest on Instagram!

    Like this recipe?

    Follow us @samdoesherbest on Pinterest

    More Healthy Recipes You’ll Love