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!)
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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!
Don’t forget to try this easy, dairy-free, Gluten Free Snickerdoodle Mug Cake, too!
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.
- Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Blend—This blend also works well, but this flour blend does benefit from resting the batter for 15 minutes before baking. The rest allows the rice flour in this blend to soften, so you don’t have gritty baked goods.
- My DIY Gluten Free Flour Blend works well in my mug cake recipes!
Ingredient Notes:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Gluten Free Flour Blend – I tested this using the three blends listed above. 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 1/4 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 Photos and Directions:
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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
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 cooking 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.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can easily switch out the lime for lemon to make this a lemon cake.
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 the size of your baking dish.
The sponginess comes from using oil. If you are okay with dairy, use butter for a lighter, fluffier texture and mouthfeel.
I spray my mug lightly with light baking spray. This helps the mug cake slide out more easily.
More Gluten Free Dessert Recipes:
- Paleo Lemon Bars
- Gluten Free Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
- Easy Gluten Free Chocolate Mug Cake
- Gluten Free Sponge Cake
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!
Gluten Free Dairy Free Lime Mug Cake
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
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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
- 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.
- If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
- I used almond milk but other dairy-free kinds of milk will work but I do not recommend canned coconut milk.
- To test for doneness, touch your finger to the top of the cake. If it feels firm, your cake is done cooking.
- 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, my rule of thumb is to add more flour if your dough or batter is wet and add more liquid if the dough or batter is too dry!
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.
How many ounces is recommended for the mug? This looks amazing!
Hi TJ, I used a 10 ounce mug…but any normal sized coffee mug will work.
Is it baking soda or powder? Recipe says soda and instructions say powder.
It should be baking soda given the citrus.
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 😊
I am so glad you love this cake. I feel like I don’t use limes enough so I thought a mug cake would be perfect.