Carrot Cake Mug Cake

A closeup of carrot cake in a mug with cream cheese frosting and shaved carrot on top.

Make this easy vegan carrot cake mug cake in the microwave in minutes. You'll love this soft and tender cake that you can make for impromptu weeknight desserts. Serve it as is, or add your favorite toppings, such as powdered sugar or a drizzle of cream cheese frosting.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Diet Vegan

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 2

Resting Time 1

Total Time 5

Servings mug cake

Calories 346kcal

Author Marly McMillen

Ingredients

¼ cup whole wheat flour (substitute all-purpose flour_
1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar (substitute granulated sugar)
¼ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon finely chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons grated fresh carrots
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (canola or melted coconut oil)
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Toppings: Chocolate chips, peanut butter, almond butter, etc.

Cups - Metric

Instructions

Using a 12-ounce mug, add the dry ingredients from the flour to the chopped nuts and stir to combine.
Create a well in the middle of the flour mixture. Pour in the grated carrots, vanilla, vegetable oil, water, and vinegar. Stir the wet ingredients, then gradually incorporate the flour mixture to create a batter.
Cook in the microwave for 60 to 90 seconds (depending on your microwave), until the center of the cake is set.
Let the mug sit in the microwave for a minute or two to cool. Then serve your mug cake as is or add a dollop of coconut whipped cream, vegan cream cheese frosting, or even a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Notes

This cake is amazing when freshly baked. However, it can keep for up to 2 to 3 days in the fridge.

Cooking Tips: Cooking time will depend greatly on the size of the mug you use and your microwave. I used a 1200-watt microwave and cook these mug cakes for about 90 seconds on average.

The power of your microwave has a big impact on the amount of cooking time required for your mug cakes. Most microwaves fall between 800 and 1200 watts. Here's how to understand how to make this mug cake based on your microwave:

Cook for 60 Seconds — Many mug cakes will be done at this point, especially if your microwave falls within the average 800 to 1200 watts.
Check for Doneness — If your cake has a little dome, or you can press your finger gently on the top and it springs back, your mug cake is done.
If you need to Cook it Some More — If your mug cake is not quite done yet, cook it for 15 more seconds. Check it again and repeat until it's done.

Easy Cream Cheese Frosting

1 tablespoon dairy-free cream cheese

1 tablespoon vegan butter

1/4 cup powdered sugar.

Nutrition