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Craving carrot cake but don’t want to bake an entire cake? This carrot cake mug cake is the perfect solution! It’s quick, effortless, and made with simple ingredients in just minutes. Our carrot cake recipe is one of our readers’ favorites, so we created a single-serving mug cake version that’s just as delicious! Whether you’re looking for a small-batch dessert or a sweet treat to share, this microwave carrot cake is the ideal size for one or two. It’s soft, fluffy, packed with warm spices, and absolutely satisfying. An easy way to enjoy homemade carrot cake anytime!
Why You Will Love This Carrot Mug Cake
- This mug cake is lightened up and made without oil or butter! Applesauce keeps it moist and soft.
- It tastes just like classic carrot cake but in a quick and easy single-serving size.
- This mug cake is topped with a delicious homemade cream cheese frosting.
- It’s made with freshly grated carrots for an authentic carrot cake flavor.
- The texture is light and fluffy and the cake is flavorful and moist.
- It comes together in just about five minutes, simply mix and microwave!
What Is A Carrot Mug Cake?
This carrot mug cake tastes just like classic carrot cake, complete with a cream cheese frosting. Our lightened-up version is made without butter or oil, just a handful of simple ingredients. It’s an easy and delicious single-serve treat that’s ready in minutes!
Ingredients Needed
- 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. If you don’t have Kodiak Cakes, all-purpose flour works as a substitute.
- Baking Powder: Add baking powder so the mug cake rises.
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds delicious flavor.
- Nutmeg: A pinch of ground nutmeg to enhance the flavor.
- Salt: A pinch of salt to balance the flavors.
- 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.
- Vanilla: A splash of vanilla extract for added 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.
- Powdered Sugar: A touch of powdered sugar sweetens the cream cheese for a delicious and easy frosting!
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.
- Cream Cheese: Instead of light cream cheese, you can use fat-free or full-fat cream cheese.
- 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 carrot cake 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 Carrot Cake Mug Cake
Step 1: Freshly grate carrots using a box grater or food processor.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: Add the unsweetened applesauce, freshly grated carrots, vanilla extract, and egg to the bowl.
Step 4: Thoroughly mix to combine the ingredients.
Step 5: Microwave this mug cake for 1.5 to 2 minutes, until fully cooked and the center is set.
Step 6: 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!
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 it alongside our classic carrot salad, cottage cheese egg salad, carrot raisin salad, and deviled eggs. Or, serve it with a cozy chai latte or dirty chai latte.
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 Overmix the Batter: Overmixing 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.
Storage Instructions
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 This Carrot Cake Mug Cake Gluten-Free?
You can make this carrot cake mug cake gluten-free by replacing the Kodiak Cakes with an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend.
More Recipes To Try Next!
- Healthy Carrot Cake
- Carrot Cake Baked Oats
- Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
- Chocolate Protein Mug Cake
- Pumpkin Mug Cake
- Gingerbread 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.
CARROT CAKE MUG CAKE
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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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!
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.