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Craving carrot cake but don’t want to bake a whole cake? This healthy carrot cake mug cake is the perfect solution! It’s quick, easy, and made with simple ingredients in just minutes in the microwave. Inspired by our popular healthy carrot cake recipe, this single-serving version is soft, fluffy, packed with warm spices, and the perfect small-batch dessert for one or two.
Table of Contents
🔍 Quick Look: Healthy Carrot Cake Mug Cake
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 3 minutes
- ⏱️ Cook Time: 2 minutes
- 🕒 Total Time: 5 minutes
- 🍽 Calories: ~254 kcal per serving
- 👥 Servings: 1 mug cake
- 🥣 Key Ingredients: Kodiak Cakes or flour, cinnamon, applesauce, egg, shredded carrots
- 👩🍳 Cook Method: Microwave
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Lightened Up: This mug cake is lightened up and made without oil or butter! Applesauce keeps it moist and soft.
- Single-Serve: It tastes just like classic carrot cake, but in a quick and easy single-serving size.
- Fluffy Texture: The texture is light and fluffy, and the cake is flavorful and moist.
- Quick & Easy: It comes together in just about five minutes! Simply mix and microwave.
- Carrot Cake Flavor: It’s made with freshly grated carrots for a classic carrot cake flavor. Try our carrot cake baked oats, carrot cake overnight oats, and carrot cake bliss balls next!
“This carrot mug cake was delicious with built in portion control. Even my non-carrot eating husband enjoyed.”
– cyndi
Key Ingredients
- Kodiak Cakes: We used Kodiak Cakes Buttermilk Power Cakes Mix as a higher-protein alternative to traditional flour. It also makes the mug cake extra fluffy. For another mug cake with Kodiak Cakes, try our chocolate protein mug cake next!
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds delicious flavor.
- Sweetener: Sweeten this mug cake with sugar or a 1:1 sugar-free sweetener.
- Applesauce: Unsweetened applesauce makes this mug cake moist and delicious! Also, it replaces the need for oil and butter.
- Shredded Carrots: Use freshly grated carrots for this recipe. They give this mug cake a classic carrot cake flavor.
- Egg: One large egg helps the batter come together and makes the mug cake fluffy.
- Cream Cheese: We used light cream cheese as the base of the cream cheese frosting. Fat-free or regular cream cheese also work.
Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Kodiak Cakes Substitution: We love using Kodiak Cakes because it makes this mug cake super fluffy and adds protein. However, if you don’t have Kodiak Cakes, all-purpose flour works as well.
- More Frosting: If you prefer more frosting on your mug cake, double the frosting recipe.
- Optional Mix-Ins: Mix up to one tablespoon of chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, chopped pecans, or raisins into the batter for additional texture and flavor.
- Add Pineapple: Mix one tablespoon of drained crushed pineapple into the batter for added moisture and a burst of flavor.
- Shredded Coconut: Add one tablespoon of shredded coconut to the batter for extra flavor and texture.
- Bake the Mug Cake: You can bake this mug cake instead of microwaving it if preferred. Lightly spray an oven-safe baking dish with oil. Then, pour the batter into the baking dish and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
How To Make Healthy Carrot Cake Mug Cake
- Freshly grate carrots using a box grater or food processor.
- Add the Kodiak Cakes, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and sweetener to a large microwave-safe bowl or large microwave-safe mug that holds at least 15 ounces. Then, mix these dry ingredients.
- Add the unsweetened applesauce, freshly grated carrots, vanilla extract, and egg to the bowl.
- Thoroughly mix to combine the ingredients.
- Microwave this mug cake for 1.5 to 2 minutes, until fully cooked and the center is set.
- Make the cream cheese frosting by combining the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Thoroughly combine the frosting, spread it on the mug cake, and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Freshly Grated Carrots: Always use freshly grated carrots instead of pre-shredded ones. Pre-shredded carrots tend to be dry, tough, and lack flavor. Freshly grated carrots have a softer texture and a much better flavor.
- Don’t Over-mix the Batter: Over-mixing can cause the mug cake to turn out dense rather than light and fluffy.
- Cream Cheese Frosting Tip: Allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature before mixing the frosting. This makes it much easier to combine and results in a smoother texture.
- Mug to Use: Use a microwave-safe mug that holds at least 15 ounces to avoid overflow. If you don’t have a large enough mug, you can either split the batter into two smaller mugs or use a large microwave-safe bowl.
Serving Suggestions
Top this carrot mug cake with our delicious homemade cream cheese frosting. Or, opt for a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream instead. It’s such a great single-serve treat whenever you’re craving carrot cake. You can even make individual servings for Easter and serve them alongside our classic carrot salad, cottage cheese egg salad, carrot raisin salad, and healthy deviled eggs. Or, serve it with a cozy chai latte or dirty chai latte.
Storage Instructions
If you have any leftover mug cake, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day.
Carrot Cake Mug Cake FAQs
Can You Make Carrot Cake in a Microwave?
With this recipe, you can easily make delicious carrot cake in a microwave. It’s the perfect single serving size and ready in minutes!
Is Carrot Cake Mug Cake Gluten-Free?
You can make this mug cake gluten-free by replacing the Kodiak Cakes with an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend.
More Healthy Mug Cake Recipes!
Desserts
Chocolate Protein Mug Cake
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Easy Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake
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Gingerbread Mug Cake
Desserts
Pumpkin Mug Cake
If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.
Healthy Carrot Cake Mug Cake
This healthy carrot cake mug cake with cream cheese frosting comes together effortlessly with simple ingredients in minutes! It’s the perfect single-serving treat.
Ingredients
For The Mug Cake
- 1/4 cup Kodiak Cakes Buttermilk Power Cakes Mix or all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 tablespoon sweetener
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 3 tablespoons shredded carrots, freshly grated
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
For The Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 tablespoon light cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 teaspoon powdered sugar
- 2 drops vanilla extract
Instructions
- Freshly grate carrots using a box grater or food processor.
- Add the Kodiak Cakes, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and sweetener to a large microwave-safe bowl or large microwave-safe mug that holds at least 15 ounces. Then, mix these dry ingredients.
- Add the unsweetened applesauce, freshly grated carrots, vanilla extract, and egg to the bowl.
- Thoroughly mix to combine the ingredients.
- Microwave this mug cake for 1.5 to 2 minutes, until fully cooked and the center is set.
- Make the cream cheese frosting by combining the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Thoroughly combine the frosting, spread it on the mug cake, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Batter Consistency: If using a sugar substitute and the batter is too thick, add a teaspoon of milk as needed.
- Kodiak Cakes Substitution: We love using Kodiak Cakes because it makes this mug cake super fluffy and adds protein. However, if you don’t have Kodiak Cakes, all-purpose flour works as well.
- Cream Cheese: You can use light, fat-free, or full-fat cream cheese.
- Baking Option: If you prefer, you can bake this carrot cake mug cake instead of microwaving it. Lightly spray an oven-safe dish with oil, pour in the batter, and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Grated Carrots: Always use freshly grated carrots instead of pre-shredded ones. Pre-shredded carrots tend to be dry, tough, and lack flavor. Freshly grated carrots have a softer texture and a much better flavor.
- Mug Selection: Choose a microwave-safe mug that holds at least 15 ounces to prevent overflow. If you don’t have a large enough mug, divide the batter between two smaller mugs or use a large microwave-safe bowl.
- Storage: If you have any leftover carrot cake mug cake, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day.
Nutrition
Calories: 254kcal, Carbohydrates: 34.8g, Protein: 11.2g, Fat: 7.5g, Saturated Fat: 3.1g, Cholesterol: 193mg, Sodium: 159mg, Potassium: 462mg, Fiber: 2.6g, Sugar: 7.4g, Calcium: 207mg, Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @wwhealthyfoodiegirl or tag #healthyfoodiegirl!
This Carrot mug cake was delicious with built in portion control. Even my non-carrot eating husband enjoyed. I have to admit I had to remake the icing because I started dipping strawberries in the icing (I opted to bake the cakes)
Hi Cyndi, I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the carrot cake mug cake, and that your husband liked it too, even as a non-carrot fan! Dipping strawberries in the icing sounds like a delicious idea! Built in portion control, but we made this mug cake three nights in a row, lol! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review.
We are obsessed with this Carrot Cake Mug Cake because it’s the perfect quick and healthier treat! It has all the warm, cozy flavors of classic carrot cake moist, fluffy, and perfectly spiced. You can make in just minutes with better-for-you ingredients. It’s our go-to when craving something sweet but want a lighter, single-serve option!
We hope you love it as much as we do!