Easy No-Bake Lime Gluten Free Mug Cake

Name: Gluten Free Dairy Free Lime Mug Cake
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 7 min
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons gluten free flour blend (* see note); 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1 large egg (large); 3 tablespoons sugar; 2 tablespoons coconut oil; 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons lime juice; 1 teaspoon lime zest; 3 tablespoons powdered sugar (for icing); 1 teaspoons lime juice (for icing)

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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.

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Why this recipe is so good:
Ingredient Notes:
Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:
Tips and Recipe FAQ:
More Yummy Gluten Free Dessert Recipes:
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💬 Comments

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 mug cake has lime icing, but you could easily use regular frosting and make this a cupcake in a mug!

Our weather has been much hotter than usual here in the Bay Area, and it is just the beginning of summer here! What is a dessert-loving family with a wicked sweet tooth to do?

I will be creating a lot of fun mug cake recipes over the next few months if the weather stays this hot. (Global warming is so real!)

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!

Why this recipe is so good:

This quick and easy lime mug cake is full of juicy lime flavors. Topped with sweet icing to balance out the tartness, this cake is so good.
I still can't believe how fast you can make this! All you need is 3 minutes!
Use the microwave for this gluten free mug cake! It sounds funny, but you can get a moist and delicious cake in your favorite mug!
You can make this gluten free microwave cake in many flavors, like this Gluten Free Cherry Cobbler Mug Cake.

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 1 teaspoon.
Almond milk - I used almond milk, but other dairy-free types of milk will work; I do not recommend canned coconut milk.

Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:

If you have wondered how to make a gluten free version of a mug cake, follow along!

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. I not only use lime juice but lots of lime zest too!

Step 2: Add the wet ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to blend. Add your dry ingredients and mix.

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

Step 3: Spray your mug lightly with spray oil.

Step 4: Pour the cake batter into your favorite mug and microwave on high for 90 seconds. The mug cake will rise up, then fall as it cooks. Be careful because the cooked cake will be hot.

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

Tips and Recipe FAQ:

How do you know when the mug cake is done cooking?

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.

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, but that defeats the cake in 3 minutes of excitement.

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 cake out of the mug?

I spray my mug lightly with light oil spray. This helps the mug cake slide out easier.

If you love mug cakes as much as I do, check out all of my delicious gluten free mug cake recipes.

More Yummy Gluten Free Dessert Recipes:

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