This gluten free pineapple upside-down mug cake is a single-serving dessert that combines the sweetness of pineapples with a moist and fluffy cake, all conveniently cooked in your favorite coffee mug. It’s a delightful treat that captures the classic flavors of a traditional pineapple upside-down cake. Make it in under 5 minutes.
During the hot summer months, I am all about making lots of mug cakes. If you haven’t heard of a mug cake, it is a single-serving cake you make in your favorite mug and then cook in the microwave oven.
All you need is about 3 minutes to whip up a mug cake…and I have a lot of fun flavors of gluten free mug cakes to try. I also have popular Gluten Free Mug Muffin and Gluten Free Mug Brownie recipes that are fun easy treats!
Why I love this gluten-free pineapple mug cake recipe:
- My gluten free mug cake is a quick and easy way to satisfy any dessert craving without needing fancy baking equipment. You can have a freshly baked treat in minutes with just a few simple ingredients and a microwave.
- Since mug cakes are made in a coffee mug, they help with portion control, making it easier to enjoy a treat without overindulging.
- LOL, this is a biggie for me. Mug cakes provide instant gratification, perfect for when you’re in the mood for a sweet treat but don’t want to wait for a full-sized cake to bake and cool.
- The possibilities for flavors and mix-ins are endless. You can even cook a mug cake in a gluten free ice cream cone.
- There is little to clean up. This is my kids’ favorite reason to make mug cakes. Making a mug cake involves minimal cleanup since you only need a mug and a few measuring utensils.
Allergen Information:
This homemade pineapple upside-down mug cake is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, and oat-free.
Flour Blends Tested:
- King Arthur Measure for Measure—This blend works really well in my recipes. I don’t have to let the flour blend rest in the batter.
- DIY Gluten Free Flour Blend – My flour blend works very well in my mug cake recipes and it is a gum-free blend.
Ingredient Notes:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Gluten Free Flour Blend – I tested this recipe with the two flour blends above. If your blend doesn’t include a binder, you will need to add some. I recommend 1/8 of a teaspoon of xanthan gum. (My DIY blend has psyllium husk and is gum-free.)
- Baking Powder – Use aluminum-free baking powder.
- Eggs – Use a large egg.
- Oil – I used avocado oil; any light oil will work well. I do not recommend a strongly flavored oil like olive oil. Butter will also work if you are not dairy-free.
- Pineapple – Use unsweetened pineapple rings. You will need a slice plus juice from the can.
- Maraschino Cherry – This is optional. To avoid using dyed cherries, you can also use a strawberry, fresh cherry, or raspberry.
Step-By-Step Photos and Directions:
Step 1: Add a pineapple round to a microwave-safe mug. I don’t add extra juice.
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Step 2: Add the dry ingredients to a small bowl and whisk. I always recommend mixing the ingredients before adding them to the mug. Dry ingredients tend to get stuck in the bottom corner, making them hard to mix in fully.
Step 3: Add the egg and the rest of the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients.
Step 4: Mix the wet and dry ingredients into mug cake batter. Pour the batter into the mug on top of the pineapple.
📢 Sandi says: Every gluten-free flour blend has a different starch-to-grain ratio. The brand of gluten-free flour you use will affect the moisture of the batter. If your cake batter is too runny, add more flour, and if it is too thick, add more liquids.
Read Why Gluten-Free Flour Blends Vary to learn more about this.
Step 5: Place the mug in the microwave and cook the mug cake for 75 seconds. You will see the mug cake rise way up over the mug and sink a little bit down. This is normal.
Note that cooking time will vary by the size and depth of the mug you use. It is always good to spot-check the mug cake and see if it is done. Cook it for 75 seconds, then open the microwave and touch the cake carefully with your finger. If it feels firm, it is finished cooking. if it is a little squishy, cook it for an additional 15 seconds.
Step 6: When you remove it from the microwave, the cake will fall a little more and pull away from the sides of the mug a little. This makes it easy to get the cake out onto a plate. I put a small plate over the mug and then tipped the mug over so the cake falls out onto the mug.
👀 Sandi Says: The mug cake will be VERY hot. Use caution.
Top the mug cake with a cherry or fresh raspberry. Just drop it right into the hole in your pineapple ring!
Frequently Asked Questions:
If your cake is rubbery, chances are you cooked it too long. The cooking time varies by the size and depth of the mug you use. Another reason could be your flour blend. Starchier blends have a higher chance of being gummy.
Mug cakes don’t keep as well as regular oven-baked cakes. If you need to store it, place it into an airtight container. When you are ready to eat it, warm it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
More Gluten-Free Mug Cake Recipes:
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Mug Cake
- Easy Gluten-Free Lemon Mug Cake
- Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Mug Cake
- Gluten-Free Cherry Cobbler Mug
Love This Recipe?
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. Please include which flour blend you used. This will help others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!
Easy Gluten-Free Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cake
Ingredients
- ¼ cup gluten free flour blend * see note
- 2 tablespoons cane sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder aluminum-free
- dash salt
- 2 tablespoons pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons milk or non-dairy
- 1 pineapple ring and cherry or raspberry
Instructions
- Add a pineapple round to a microwave-safe mug. I don't add the extra juice. The juice in the recipe is included in the wet ingredients. Add the dry ingredients to a small bowl and whisk. I always recommend mixing the ingredients before adding them to the mug.
- Add the dry ingredients to a small bowl and whisk. I always recommend mixing the ingredients before adding them to the mug.
- Add the egg, pineapple juice, oil, and milk to the dry ingredients. Whisk to blend.
- Pour the batter into the mug on top of the pineapple.
- Note, every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If your batter is very thick, add more milk. If your batter is very runny, add more flour blend.
- Place the mug in the microwave and cook the mug cake for 75 seconds. You will see the mug cake rise way up over the mug and sink a little bit down. This is normal.
- Note that cooking time will vary by the size and depth of the mug you use. It is always good to spot-check the mug cake and see if it is done. Cook it for 75 seconds, then open the microwave and touch the cake carefully with your finger. If it feels firm, it is finished cooking. if it is a little squishy, cook it for an additional 15 seconds.
- When you remove it from the microwave, the cake will fall a little more and pull away from the sides of the mug a little. This makes it easy to get the cake out onto a plate. I put a small plate over the mug and then tipped the mug over so the cake falls out onto the mug.
- Note: The mug cake will be very hot. Use caution.
Notes
- I tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure and my DIY Gluten-Free Flour Blend. My blend is gum-free. Both worked well.
- I really prefer to mix the ingredients in a bowl before adding them to the mug. This prevents the flour from getting stuck in the bottom of the mug.
- This makes a single-serve cake. If you do need to store it, store in an airtight container in your refrigerator. Rewarm the cake in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
