This easy lime gluten free mug cake with lime icing is moist and delicious. Even better? It cooks in your microwave in just 90 seconds! No hot oven needed; which is awesome because it is too hot to use the oven now. (Dairy-free too!)

Drizzling icing over a gluten free lime mug cake.

Doesn’t this gluten free AND dairy-free lime cake look delicious? I was worried the microwave would dry it out, but it didn’t dry at all. Each bite is bursting with lime flavor! This gluten free lime mug cake recipe also has lime icing, but you could easily use regular frosting and make this a cupcake in a mug! I still can’t believe how fast you can make this! All you need is 3 minutes!

I will be creating a lot of fun mug cake recipes over the next few months if the weather stays this hot. You can make this gluten free microwave cake in many flavors, like this Gluten Free Cherry Cobbler Mug Cake.

If you love the idea of making and eating the cake in under 5 minutes, check out all of my incredible gluten free mug cake recipes!

A spoon holding up a bite of lime gluten free mug cake.

Don’t forget to try this easy, dairy-free, Gluten Free Snickerdoodle Mug Cake, too!

Top Pick
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.)

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Ingredient Notes:

My DIY Gluten Free Flour Blend works well in my mug cake recipes!

  • Gluten Free Flour Blend – I tested this recipe using Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour 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.
  • Xanthan Gum – If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add ¼ teaspoon.
  • Non-Dairy Milk – I used almond milk, but other dairy-free types of milk will work; I do not recommend canned coconut milk.

Step-By-Step Directions:

A mug with baking powder and lots of lime zest on a cutting board.

Step 1: Zest and juice your limes. This cake is full of fresh lime flavors, so I use lime juice and lots of lime zest for a burst of flavor!

Step 2: Add all of the wet ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to blend. In another mixing bowl, add your dry ingredients and use a whisk to blend them.

Lime cake batter in a bowl.

Here is a photo of the lime cake batter. Notice the consistency is not thick….this helps keep the cake light and fluffy.

🔑 Sandi says: Every gluten-free flour blend has a different starch-to-grain ratio. This affects the moisture level of your batter. If your cake batter is thicker, add more milk. If your batter is runnier, add a little more flour. Read more about why gluten-free flour blends vary and make the necessary adjustments to your batter.

Step 3: Spray your favorite coffee mug lightly with gluten-free baking spray.

Step 4: Pour the cake batter into your mug and microwave the cake on high for 90 seconds. The mug cake will rise, then fall as it cooks. Be careful because the cooked cake will be hot. If the cake isn’t done, cook it for another 10 seconds. The actual cook time can vary by the depth of your mug.

The best way to tell if the cake is done is to touch the top. You can do the toothpick test, but it isn’t as accurate because of the texture of the cake. I like to touch the top of the cake. If it feels firm, the cake is done cooking.

Microwave gluten free mug cake is in a white mug with fresh limes.

Recipe FAQ:

Can you use other flavors like lemon?

You can easily switch out the lime for lemon to make this a lemon cake.

Can you bake this in the oven?

You could bake this mug cake in the oven in a small baking dish like a large ramekin. The baking time will vary depending on your baking dish’s size.

Is it possible to make mug cakes less spongy?

The sponginess comes from using oil. If you are okay with dairy, use butter for a lighter, fluffier texture and mouthfeel.

How do you get the gluten free mug cake out of the mug?

I spray my mug lightly with light baking spray. This helps the mug cake slide out more easily.

More Gluten Free Dessert Recipes:

Love This Recipe?

If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. Include which flour blend you used. This helps others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!

drizzling icing over a gluten free lime mug cake

Gluten Free Dairy Free Lime Mug Cake

Sandi Gaertner
This is an easy gluten free and dairy free lime mug cake that cooks in your microwave in just 90 seconds.
4.84 from 12 votes
dairy free allergen icon
gluten free allergy icon
nut free allergen icon
soy free allergy icon
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 7 minutes
Course Gluten Free Cake Recipes, Gluten Free Dessert Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 625 kcal

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons gluten free flour blend * see note
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 large egg large
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest

For the Icing

  • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar for icing
  • 1 teaspoons lime juice for icing

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, add flour, sugar, and baking soda. Add in the egg, melted coconut oil, lime juice, and lime zest.
  • Mix well. Pour into your favorite mug. (I used a spray coconut oil to spray the sides of the mug so the cake doesn’t stick.)
  • Put into the microwave for 90 seconds.
  • Put the powdered sugar and lime juice in a small bowl and mix. Drizzle onto the mug cake.

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. If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
  3. I used almond milk but other dairy-free kinds of milk will work but I do not recommend canned coconut milk.
  4. To test for doneness, touch your finger to the top of the cake. If it feels firm, your cake is done cooking.
  5. Make sure your mug is microwave safe!

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: 1gCalories: 625kcalCarbohydrates: 80gProtein: 8gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 26gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 164mgSodium: 66mgPotassium: 310mgFiber: 2gSugar: 61gVitamin A: 256IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 132mgIron: 2mg
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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




18 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Out of all the mug cakes I’ve tried this is by far my favorite!! Love it! It’s another one that is super simple to throw together quickly and easy enough to appease my sweet tooth anytime. Thank you 😊

  2. This is such a great idea for summer. Love that these are gluten free and can be made in a mug. The lime flavor sounds amazing!

  3. 5 stars
    This sounds wonderful! I just did a lime mug cake on my site a few weeks ago – love the gluten-free version too!

  4. 5 stars
    Oh yum! I’ve only ever tried a chocolate mug cake before! This looks even better!! Love the lime!