This carrot cake mug cake is an easy way to enjoy your favorite spring dessert! Fresh carrots and warm spices are mixed into moist, naturally sweetened microwave mug cake and topped with a simple cream cheese frosting.
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Carrot cake is a favorite once-a-year indulgence for many, and while I'm all about sharing a big cake with family on Easter or at a similar gathering, sometimes you just want a little something for yourself. This carrot mug cake is so much easier than baking big cake layers and piling them with homemade frosting.
This mug cake is not only an easy Easter dessert recipe, but it's also naturally sweetened, making it a healthier option than a traditional cake. If you want to make it for a crowd, let everyone grab their own mug and customize it however they please.
Mug cakes and other small batch or single serving desserts require few ingredients in small quantities, so make sure you check out my tips below and measure carefully!
Ingredients
- Carrots
- Coconut oil
- Maple syrup
- Vanilla extract
- All purpose flour
- Walnuts
- Cinnamon
- Baking powder
- Nutmeg
- Salt
- Whipped cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
How to make carrot cake mug cake
- Add shredded carrots and coconut oil to a microwave safe mug and microwave for 1 minute.
- Add the maple syrup and vanilla extract and mix with a spoon until combined.
- Add the remaining ingredients and stir until just combined and no lumps of flour remain.
- Microwave for 1 minute or until fully cooked.
- Meanwhile, combine cream cheese and powdered sugar in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle over the top of the finished cake and enjoy.
Top tips
Use real maple syrup
This is not the time to pull out your sugary pancake syrup. This recipe needs pure maple syrup to work. It's the only sweetener other than the frosting, and changing it would affect both the flavor and the texture.
Whipped cream cheese
I like using whipped cream cheese as opposed to a block of cream cheese to make the frosting because it is so much easier to mix. This can usually be found in a small tub right next to the regular cream cheese at the grocery store. If you prefer a firmer frosting, feel free to use block cream cheese for this recipe.
Tips for customizing carrot cake mug cake
- Leave out the walnuts to make this nut free
- Instead of cream cheese frosting, try a dusting of powdered sugar or vanilla icing
- Use a 1:1 gluten free flour blend to make this gluten free
- Use vegan cream cheese or leave off the frosting to make this vegan
How to store mug cake
Mug cakes are best enjoyed immediately, but if you want to save some of it, cover the mug with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. If you're not topping it with icing you could cover it and leave it at room temperature for the same amount of time.
FAQ
While I think it would probably be ok to use pre-shredded carrots from the grocery store to make this cake, I recommend grating your own so you can use the finest grater possible. This will allow for a moist and fluffy cake instead of having large chunks of carrot in there.
More single serving dessert recipes
- Vegan Single Serving Brownie
- Single Serving Chocolate Chip Cookie
- Single Serving Strawberry Lemonade
- Single Serving Edible Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
- Single Serving Crustless Pumpkin Pie
- Single Serving Apple Crisp
- Single Serve Vegan Chocolate Brownie Cookie
- Chocolate Chip Mug Cake
- Apple Mug Cake
- Lemon Mug Cake
- Vegan Mug Brownie
- Healthy Banana Mug Cake
- Vegan Chocolate Mug Cake
- Edible Gingerbread Cookie Dough
- Edible Brownie Batter
- Vegan Cookie Dough for One
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe
Carrot Cake Mug Cake
Ingredients
Carrot Cake Mug Cake
- ¼ cup finely shredded carrots
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup unbleached all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch nutmeg
- Pinch salt
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 tablespoon whipped cream cheese
- 1-2 tablespoons powdered sugar, depending on how sweet you like it
Instructions
- Add shredded carrots and coconut oil to a microwave safe mug and microwave for 1 minute.
- Add the maple syrup and vanilla extract and mix with a spoon until combined.
- Add the remaining ingredients and stir until just combined and no lumps of flour remain.
- Microwave for 1 minute or until fully cooked.
- Meanwhile, combine cream cheese and powdered sugar in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle over the top of the finished cake and enjoy.
Notes
Tips for customizing carrot cake mug cake
- Leave out the walnuts to make this nut free
- Instead of cream cheese frosting, try a dusting of powdered sugar or vanilla icing
- Use a 1:1 gluten free flour blend to make this gluten free
- Use vegan cream cheese or leave off the frosting to make this vegan
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