Vegan Paleo Chocolate Mug Cake Microwave
Single-serve vegan paleo chocolate cake baked in a ramekin using applesauce and flax as binders. Naturally sweetened with stevia or monk fruit, this dairy-free, grain-free mug cake cooks in the microwave in 2 minutes. Dense, fudgy crumb works alone or topped with fruit preserves.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup applesauce, unsweetened
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground flax seedsground chia seeds1:1veganbindingpaleo
similar gelling and nutrition
- 1 ½ tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tablespoon coconut flour, fine
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- stevia or monk fruit sweetenercoconut sugar1.5 tablespoonveganpaleo-adjacent
less paleo-strict but minimal flavor change
- salt, dash
- baking soda, dash
- mini chocolate chips(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Lightly oil the bottom of a 4 ounce ramekin and set aside.
- 2
In a small bowl, mix applesauce and ground flax seeds. Let sit about 1 minute until flax thickens the mixture.
- 3
Stir in cocoa powder, coconut flour, vanilla, sweetener, salt, and baking soda until well combined.
- 4
Mix in chocolate chips if using.
- 5
Spoon batter into ramekin and smooth the top with a spoon.
- 6
Microwave on high for 2 minutes until baked through.
- 7
Let cool, then turn onto a plate or eat from the ramekin. Top with fruit preserves if desired.
Tips
Flax-applesauce mixture needs about 1 minute to gel before adding dry ingredients to help bind the paleo flour blend.
Microwave power varies; check at 1.5 minutes if using a high-wattage unit to avoid overcooking.
Good to Know
Cover and refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat in microwave 15-20 seconds.
Mix dry ingredients (cocoa, coconut flour, salt, baking soda) in advance. Combine wet ingredients just before cooking.
Serve warm or at room temperature. Top with cherry preserves, fresh berries, or coconut whipped cream.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip the 1-minute rest for flax-applesauce to avoid a dense, gritty crumb.
Do not overmix after adding dry ingredients to avoid toughness.
Do not use salted or sweetened applesauce to avoid excess sodium and sugar.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Vegan Options
similar gelling and nutrition
less paleo-strict but minimal flavor change
Full guide →