This delicious fluffy gluten free red velvet mug cake is a fun cake you can enjoy any time. I can’t believe how easy it is to make a mug cake! All you need is three minutes and a few simple ingredients!
You are not going to believe how easy this gluten free red velvet mug cake is to make. You dump the ingredients into a mug and cook it in the microwave. Three minutes later, you are eating cake!
This red velvet mug cake is perfect for Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, or any time you crave cake. Here at Fearless Dining, we make a lot of mug cakes. They are so easy. We have lots of yummy flavors too like this Gluten Free Snickerdoodle Mug Cake and this Gluten Free Lime Mug Cake.
Check out all of my delicious gluten free mug cake recipes.
Why Make This Mug Cake:
- You can make it in about 3 minutes! It is speedy and delicious!
- This mug cake is light and fluffy!
- You can decorate it in so many fun ways!
- I know I already said this mug cake is ready in 3 minutes, but I still can’t get over how fast this cake is to make!!
Try this yummy Gluten Free Chocolate Mug Cake if you are a chocoholic!!
This is one of my favorite gluten-free flour blends for cookies, cakes, pie crust, biscuits, and muffins! (Do not use this flour blend for yeast recipes.)
Ingredient Notes:
- Gluten free flour blend – I tested this recipe using Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour Blend, Pillsbury Gluten Free Blend, and King Arthur’s Measure for Measure Gluten Free Blend. That doesn’t mean others will not work. I have not tested other flours, and I can not guarantee the recipe will work if you use other mixes.
- Xanthan Gum – If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
- Butter – If dairy-free, you can use a light oil instead.
- Milk – You can also use non-dairy milk.
- Red food color gel – The gel works way better than the food color liquid; you need much less.
- Cocoa powder – Most cocoa powder is gluten free, but it is always good to double-check the labels. I like to use Anthony’s, Ghirardelli, and Hershey’s.
Note my DIY Gluten Free Flour Blend works really well in my mug cake recipes, too. It is gum-free, so there is no slight xanthan gum aftertaste.
Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:
If you want to try a gluten-free mug cake, this is a great beginner recipe!
Step 1: Add the dry ingredients to your mug and mix well.
Step 2: Mix the wet ingredients well in a small bowl.
HINT: You can mix the wet ingredients directly in the mug, BUT the red gel food color must be whisked with the liquid ingredients to disburse evenly. I suggest using mixing the wet ingredients separately.
Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix well.
Step 4: Your batter will be creamy, like in this photo. Do not fill your mug any fuller than â…” because the mug cake will rise quite a bit as it cooks!
TIP: Place a plate under the mug cake when it cooks in the microwave, just in case your mug is small and it overflows!
Step 5: Microwave the cake for 90 seconds. It will rise way up and fall a little. You will know the gluten free red velvet cake is finished cooking when it is somewhat firm to the touch and is pulling away from the sides of the mug like in the photo above.
Step 6: Allow the red velvet cake to cool while you mix up one of the topping ideas below. Be sure the cake is cooled before topping it with frosting.
You may also love these Gluten Free Red Velvet Cookies.
Topping Ideas:
- Frosting! Make a small batch of frosting by mixing 2 tablespoons of soft butter with 3-4 tablespoons of powdered sugar. Add 1 teaspoon of water if needed to make it softer.
- Make the icing by mixing 3 tablespoons powdered sugar with 2 teaspoons of water and drizzle over the mug cake.
- Keep it simple by dusting powdered sugar over the top!
Baking Directions:
A reader asked if this microwave gluten free red velvet cake could be baked in the oven, and yes, it can! You will need a tiny baking dish like a large ramekin.
- Mix up the cake batter and put it into a greased baking dish.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes at 350º F.
- Check to see if it is done by inserting a toothpick into the middle. If the toothpick comes back clean, it is finished baking.
Tips and Recipe FAQ:
If you use regular flour to make a red velvet cake, then yes, it would have gluten. This is why I am sharing a gluten free red velvet cake!
Yes and no. Red velvet cake has a slightly different flavor due to the chemical reaction with vinegar.
The vinegar causes a chemical reaction in the cake, boosting the flavor and giving the cake more lift.
If your mug cake is gummy, you probably used too much oil or butter.
If your mug cake turned out dense, you overcooked it. Try to microwave it for just 90 seconds.
More Gluten Free Mug Cake Recipes:
- Incredible Gluten Free Mug Brownie
- Gluten Free Lemon Mug Cake with Lemonade Icing
- Gluten Free Cherry Cobbler Mug Cake
- Easy Gluten Free Vanilla Mug Cake
Gluten Free Red Velvet Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons gluten free flour blend * see note
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons cocoa powder * see note
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- small dash salt
- 2 tablespoons butter or light oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons non-dairy milk or regular milk
- ¼ teaspoon white vinegar
- 2 drops red gel food color * see note
- 1 egg room temperature is best
Instructions
- Add the dry ingredients to your favorite microwave-safe coffee mug. Mix well.
- In a bowl, add the wet ingredients and gel food coloring. I highly recommend mixing in a bow because the gel food color needs whisking to get it to incorporate evenly in the liquid.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the mug of dry ingredients. Mix well. Be sure to use the spoon to scrape along the edges of the bottom so the flour doesn't get trapped and not cook. Be sure the mug is only â…” or less full of batter,
- Place the mug on a plate (for spills) and microwave for 90 seconds.
- The mug cake will rise up and then sink a little. This is normal.
- You will know your mug cake is finished cooking when it is a little firm on top and the cake has pulled away from the edges of the mug.
- Top with frosting and enjoy!
Notes
- I have tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure GF and Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 GF blend. That doesn’t mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours.
- Xanthan Gum – If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
- To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the oil or vegan butter.
- You can use regular milk or non-dairy milk.
Topping ideas:
- Frosting! Make a small batch of frosting by mixing 2 tablespoons soft butter with 3-4 tablespoons of powdered sugar. Add 1 teaspoon water if needed to make it softer.
- Make an icing by mixing 3 tablespoons powdered sugar with 2 teaspoons of water and drizzle over the mug cake.
- Keep it simple by dusting powdered sugar over the top!
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.
Super easy and delicious
I am so glad you loved this mug cake. I have so many great mug cake recipes. I hope you get a chance to try more.
I haven’t made this yet but it looks scrumptious. My question is do we melt the butter for the wet ingredients? Or is it a dry ingredient?
Hi Debbie. Yes, you will want to melt the butter, but not too hot or it can cook your egg.
Hi Sandi, This looks great and I will definitely be making but I wanted to let you know that directions step no.2 should read wet ingredients not dry.
Thank you so much, Elise. I just changed that to wet.
Can you provide baking instructions also – or can this be baked? (I try to avoid microwaving)
Hi Shana, I just added baking directions to the post. It didn’t occur ot me to add them so thank you for this idea.