Best Keto Brownie Mug Cake

4.6 stars, average of 82 ratings

By Martina Slajerova, updated March 26 202021

Keto mug cakes are ideal for busy health-conscious dieters who follow a whole foods based paleo approach. They can be prepared in a fraction of time and are great when you crave something sweet.

Compared to traditional mug cakes, this cake is rich, chocolatey and tastes just like your favourite brownie. It's low in net carbs, high in fibre and high in healthy fats. To keep this treat moist, I used grated dark chocolate, ground chia seeds and coconut oil. Remember to add a dash of cinnamon and coffee - they do make a difference as they both enhance the flavour of any chocolate treats.

The #1 Keto Diet App

Free Download

1,500+ delicious keto recipes

Trialed & tested for best results

Optimized for nutrition

Never feel hungry

Planner & tracker

Track all macros including net carbs

Scan products

Create your own meals

Advanced tracking

Track ketones, blood glucose & lipids

Stay hydrated with water tracking

Track your mood & energy levels

Macro calculator

Calculate your ideal fat, protein & carb intake

Set any goal: weight loss, maintenance or weight gain

Your macros update based on your progress

Progress

Monitor your macros, water intake, mood & energy

Body weight, body fat and body measurements

Ketones, blood glucose & lipids

Evidence-based content

Expert articles to help you make informed choices

Guides & free diet plans

New daily content

And so much more...!

Complete Keto Diet guide

Integrated shopping basket

Restaurants & guide to eating out

Free Download

App Store

Google Play

App Store

Also available on Google Play

Google Play

Also available on App Store

0 days, 0 hours, 0 minutes

Hands-on 10 minutes Overall 10 minutes

Nutritional values (per mug cake)

Net carbs6.5 grams

Protein8 grams

Fat38 grams

Calories406 kcal

Calories from carbs 7%, protein 8%, fat 85%

Total carbs14.4 gramsFiber7.9 gramsSugars2.7 gramsSaturated fat27.2 gramsSodium413 mg(18% RDA)Magnesium82 mg(20% RDA)Potassium308 mg(15% EMR)

Ingredients (makes 2 mug cakes)

2 large squares dark chocolate, grated (20 g/ 0.7 oz) - I used 85% dark chocolate
¹/₄ cup cacao powder (22 g/ 0.8 oz)
2 tbsp ground chia seeds (16 g/ 0.6 oz)
¹/₂ tsp cinnamon
1 tsp gluten-free baking powder
pinch sea salt or pink Himalayan salt
4 tbsp Erythritol or Swerve (40 g / 1.4 oz)
1 large egg
¹/₄ cup freshly brewed regular or decaf coffee (60 ml/ 2 fl oz)
¹/₄ cup melted virgin coconut oil (60 ml/ 2 fl oz)

Tips:

Optionally, add a dollop of whipped cream, coconut cream or creme fraiche
Not sweet enough? If you just started following a low-carb diet, then you may find some recipes not sweet enough. You can add a few extra drops of stevia or a little more erythritol or Swerve to suit your palate.
Avoiding caffeine? If you're using decaf coffee, opt for naturally caffeine-free chicory coffee or Swiss water process decaf coffee which is chemical-free.

Instructions

Place all the grated chocolate and dry ingredients in bowl and combine well.
Add the egg, coconut oil and coffee. Mix until combined.
Divide the mixture between 2 mugs. The mug cake will raise when cooked so use a large enough mug or cup (fill it up to no more than half).
Microwave on high for 70-90 seconds, until cooked through.
Tips for cooking in the oven: If you don't have a microwave, I suggest you make 4-8 servings at once. Preheat the oven to 175 °C/ 350 °F and cook for about 12-15 minutes or until cooked in the centre. You can optionally top the mug cake with whipped cream or creamed coconut milk and or creme fraiche.

Ingredient nutritional breakdown (per mug cake)

Net carbs	Protein	Fat	Calories
Dark chocolate, 85% cocoa (cacao)
2 g	1.1 g	4.6 g	53 kcal
Cocoa powder, raw (cacao)
2.2 g	2.1 g	1.5 g	25 kcal
Chia seed meal (ground chia seeds)
0.4 g	1.6 g	2.6 g	41 kcal
Cinnamon, spices
0.2 g	0 g	0 g	2 kcal
Baking powder, gluten-free
0.5 g	0 g	0 g	3 kcal
Salt, pink Himalayan rock salt
0 g	0 g	0 g	0 kcal
Erythritol (natural low-carb sweetener)
1 g	0 g	0 g	4 kcal
Eggs, free-range or organic
0.2 g	3.1 g	2.4 g	36 kcal
Coffee (prepared), liquid
0 g	0 g	0 g	0 kcal
Coconut oil, extra virgin
0 g	0 g	27 g	243 kcal
Total per mug cake
6.5 g	8 g	38 g	406 kcal

Do you like this post? Share it with your friends!

Let us know what you think, rate this post!

Ann Bianchini 2 years ago #

I do not own a microwave, could any or all of the lovely mug cake recipes be adjusted for stove top or oven cooking? Would a double boiler work?

Martina @ KetoDiet 2 years ago #

Yes, it can (see step 4) 😊

Lillyan 2 years ago #

Is hurshy dark chocolate bar okay to use

As long as the cacao content is at least 85% you can use any dark chocolate (I prefer 90%).

Brittany 2 years ago #

If there is sugar in the chocolate how does this qualify as Keto?

There is sugar in dark chocolate but it can be eaten in moderation. Carbs/sugar are in all foods (berries, broccoli or even avocado). Following keto is not about avoiding all carbs, it is about keeping them very low. Sugar is not toxic - it is the overconsumption of sugar and carbs in general that cause all the metabolic health issues.

Sonia Mehrotra 2 years ago #

This hit all the right notes...thanks so much. Having it everyday by splitting the recipe between 6 ramekins so as not to overdo.

Thank you for your kind words!

Tatiana 2 years ago #

I love this cake! It is so filling, like a meal!

Indeed, it is quite filling!

Nat 2 years ago #

Hi have been making these quite often. There are three of us so I split into 3 mugs. Great little snack to satisfy a chocolate craving!

I'm glad you like it! ❤

Paula 2 years ago #

Absolutely delicious!! So easy, quick and super yummy. What else can we ask for...?? Thank you so much for sharing. New to your blog and super happy I found u! Congrats on ur good work!

Thank you so much Paula!

SuzetteW 2 years ago #

This was really tasty! I used ground flax seeds instead of ground chia seeds (because that's what I had) and it worked very well. I also added a little bit of vanilla extract because I always put vanilla in chocolate anything. 😉 I will definitely make this again -- thanks for sharing! 😊

Thank you! That's right, vanilla is a great addition to anything chocolate! 😊

Ania 2 years ago #

Tried this for the first time today. Wow absolutely delicious and feels very indulgent served with a little heavy cream. Would not tell this from a carb loaded chocolate pudding. Very moist like a choc fudge cake. Will add this to my list of favourites. The fact it only takes minutes to make is an extra bonus.

Thank you very much! I'm glad you liked it! 😊

Tara (http://www.lifesimplyreimagined.com/) 2 years ago #

Ok. I'm going to give this recipe a try. I made a vanilla version of a mug cake about 3 weeks ago and it was NOT good. Having said that your ingredients look very different. It had almond flour, I remember and it was just dry. I will give this a shot and report back. Stay tuned!

There are many different recipes - have a look at these (also check the recipe notes). There are some tips for substitutions that may help: ketodietapp.com/Blog/Filter
Apart from the Chocolate & Coconut Mug Cake (which tends to be a bit dry), the other recipes are quite moist. I prefer using one egg per mug cake, or substitute it with another similar ingredient that adds moisture (in this case chia seeds and grated chocolate, plus extra liquids). I hope this helps 😊

Miriam 2 years ago #

This brownie was so yummy and I have more for later 😊 I love quick and easy recipes like these, please keep them coming!