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3 Minute Gluten Free Red Velvet Mug Cake

3 Minute Gluten Free Red Velvet Mug Cake

Published: Feb 4, 2022 · Modified: Jan 26, 2023 by Sandi Gaertner · 6 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

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a pinterest collage of the red velvet mug cake

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!

A gluten free red velvet mug cake in a white mug.
Jump to:
  • Why Make This Mug Cake:
  • Ingredient Notes:
  • Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:
  • Topping Ideas:
  • Baking Directions:
  • Tips and Recipe FAQ:
  • More Gluten Free Mug Cake Recipes:
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

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:

  1. You can make it in about 3 minutes! It is speedy and delicious!
  2. This mug cake is light and fluffy!
  3. You can decorate it in so many fun ways!
  4. 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!!

Top Pick
King Arthur, Measure for Measure Flour 3 lbs
King Arthur, Measure for Measure Flour 3 lbs

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.)

Buy Now
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Ingredient Notes:

Photos of the red velvet mug cake ingredients.
  • 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 a lot 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 and so there is no slight xanthan gum aftertaste.

Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:

If you have wanted to try a gluten free mug cake, this is a great beginner recipe to try!

Photos of steps 1 and 3 making the mug cake.

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.

Photos of steps 4 and 5 making the mug cake.

Step 4: Your batter will be creamy, like in this photo. Do not fill your mug any fuller than ⅔ 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.

A fork full of the red velvet mug cake.
Check out how fluffy this cake is!

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.

  1. Mix up the cake batter and put it into a greased baking dish.
  2. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 350º F.
  3. 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:

Does red velvet cake contain gluten?

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!

Is red velvet cake chocolate cake with red food coloring?

Yes and no. Red velvet cake has a slightly different flavor due to the chemical reaction with vinegar.

Why do people put vinegar in red velvet cake?

The vinegar causes a chemical reaction in the cake, boosting the flavor and giving the cake more lift.

Why did the mug cake turn out gummy?

If your mug cake is gummy, you probably used too much oil or butter.

Why did the mug cake turn out hard and dense?

If your mug cake turned out dense, you overcooked it. Try to microwave it for just 90 seconds.

the top view of a gluten free red velvet mug cake
See how the cake is pulled away from the sides of the mug? This means it is ready!

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

📖 Recipe

a gluten free red velvet mug cake in a white mug

Gluten Free Red Velvet Mug Cake

Sandi Gaertner
A moist delicious gluten free red velvet cake you can make in under 5 minutes!
5 from 4 votes
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Prep Time 3 mins
Cook Time 2 mins
Total Time 5 mins
Course Gluten Free Dessert Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 1 person
Calories 532 kcal

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 ⅔ 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

  1. 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.
  2. Xanthan Gum - If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
  3. To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the oil or vegan butter.
  4. 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

Serving: 1servingCalories: 532kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 11gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 228mgSodium: 286mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 5gSugar: 40gVitamin A: 1010IUCalcium: 193mgIron: 3mg
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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.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Debbie

    January 30, 2023 at 11:32 am

    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?

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      January 30, 2023 at 1:05 pm

      Hi Debbie. Yes, you will want to melt the butter, but not too hot or it can cook your egg.

      Reply
  2. Elise

    February 04, 2022 at 11:27 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      February 04, 2022 at 11:32 am

      Thank you so much, Elise. I just changed that to wet.

      Reply
  3. Shana

    February 04, 2022 at 10:47 am

    5 stars
    Can you provide baking instructions also - or can this be baked? (I try to avoid microwaving)

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      February 04, 2022 at 11:32 am

      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.

      Reply

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