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This Low Carb King Cake in a Mug recipe is a fun way to get your favorite flavors of a delicious king cake in a one serving mug cake – also without the sugar! So let’s get in the kitchen and bake this yummy treat!
King Cake in a Mug with Cream Cheese Topping
I may live in Richmond, Va now, but I am born and raised a Louisiana girl. On top of being raised in Louisiana, I have a birthday that falls during Mardi Gras. It became a tradition for me to have a King Cake for my birthday cake for several years until I moved last year. Then my mom, hearing my laments of not being able to get a King Cake in Richmond, mailed me a King Cake from Louisiana… Let’s just say I shared… but I didn’t.
What is a King Cake?
A king cake is a traditional dessert associated with the celebration of Mardi Gras, particularly in the United States, especially in the Gulf Coast region, particularly Louisiana. The cake is typically a sweet, ring-shaped pastry, often made with a rich dough similar to that of brioche, twisted into a circle or oval shape. It may be flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, or other spices, and it’s often decorated with colorful icing or sugar sprinkles in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold.
One of the defining features of a king cake is the hidden trinket, typically a small plastic baby figurine, baked inside the cake. In some traditions, the person who finds the trinket in their slice of cake is said to have good luck and is responsible for hosting the next king cake party or providing the king cake for the following year’s celebration.
King cakes are traditionally enjoyed during the Carnival season, which culminates on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. They are often served at Mardi Gras parties, gatherings, and celebrations throughout the Carnival season, bringing joy and festivity to those who indulge in this sweet and symbolic treat.
Now, this low carb king cake in a mug recipe doesn’t have a hidden baby in it, but you can still enjoy all the flavors of your favorite traditional king cake without the sugar crash.
Low Carb King Cake Recipe
I am so happy to be able to enjoy my King Cake in a Mug every day of Mardi Gras if I want with NO guilt! This recipe is pretty unique, because it is a low carb, grain free, sugar free treat that you can enjoy with your favorite cup of rich Community Coffee.
One thing I like about this King Cake in a Mug, is that it is really light and fluffy. I also love the spices cinnamon and nutmeg that go hand and hand for the perfect combination to the cream cheese topping. The added lemon flavor enhances the cream cheese “icing.”
Obviously we are leaving off the sugar crystals… but you can close your eyes and imagine some purple, gold, and green all over your delicious, guilt free King Cake in a Mug.
One tip to make your King Cake in a Mug is to top it with just a little xylitol. This will act like your sugar crystals and take you back to Louisiana. I also used turmeric to color the top of my cake in a mug.
I hope you enjoy this little Louisiana gem as much as I do!
Low Carb King Cake in a Mug Ingredients
King Cake in a Mug
- 2 Tbls of Coconut Flour
- 1 tsp of cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- dash of nutmeg
- 1 tsp of baking powder
- 1 egg
- 2 Tbls of almond milk (or just a little more if your coconut flour soaks up too much)
- 1 packet of nunaturals stevia extract (or your stevia to taste)
- 1 tsp of vanilla
Cream Cheese Icing:
- ¼ cup of Greek yogurt
- 1-2 tablespoons of cream cheese
- pinch of salt
- ¼ tsp of lemon juice (or you could use lemon extract)
- 1/2 packet of nunaturals stevia or your stevia to taste.
- (Optional xylitol on top for sugar crystal substitute)
- (Optional: Turmeric for color)
King Cake in a Mug
Ingredients
- 2 Tbls of Coconut Flour
- 1 tsp of cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- dash of nutmeg
- 1 tsp of baking powder
- 1 egg
- 2 Tbls of almond milk or just a little more if your coconut flour soaks up too much
- 5 shakes of nunaturals stevia extract or your stevia to taste
- 1 tsp of vanilla
- Icing:
- 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt
- 1-2 tablespoons of cream cheese
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 tsp of lemon juice or you could use lemon extract
- 3-5 shakes of nunaturals stevia or your stevia to taste.
- Optional xylitol on top for sugar crystal substitute
- Optional: Turmeric for color
Instructions
- Mix the cake ingredients together well, adding baking powder in last.
- Microwave for 1 1/2 - 2 minutes (I like mine at 1 1/2 minutes). Be sure not to over cook, then it will be dry.
- During that time, mix your "icing" together. Stirring all the ingredients well.
- Serve with cream cheese yogurt over cake.
- Enjoy!
More Low Carb Dessert Recipes
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[…] I chose to make a chocolate icing for our cookie. It is totally optional, but we really loved it. You could also make it plain without the cocoa powder. Another option would be to mix a little cream cheese in with your Greek yogurt like in my King Cake in a Mug. […]
[…] does not mean that you have to give up your favorite foods or even your breads and cakes. We enjoy a King Cake in a Mug for a snack all the time. Today I’m going to share a gluten free cake round up for you to […]
I’m actually in Midlothian! How awesome : )
[…] – Make a creamy topping with half yogurt and half cream cheese like in my King Cake Recipe. […]
Lovely cake! Thanks!
Could I substitute almond flour or flax meal for coconut flour?
I’m not sure! But if you try it, let me know how it turns out. You would need more almond flour if you were going to make a sub. Thanks for your question!
I made it with almond flour. The amount of almond flour becomes 8 Tablespoons and the egg and almond milk are reduced by half. It baked up fine but tasted of baking soda. I’m wondering if the 1 teaspoon called for is correct. That’s how much I use in a recipe for a full cake.
Great to know the almond flour as an option, thanks for sharing! Obviously adjust as you see fit but this recipe has turned out well for me with these measurements. Did you use baking soda rather than baking powder? Maybe that is the issue?
Thanks for being part of the community!
What is “5 shakes” equivalent to? 1 tsp?
Hi!! Probably about one Truvia packet. Does that help?
Yes. Thanks.
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Best Keto king cake recipe ever!
Thank you Jen! I love this one!!
Angela, I just made you King Cake in a Mug. I wanted to like it but it tasted bitter. Is the baking soda amount correct? One teaspoon is what I put in a full size cake.
This is how I’ve always made it, but obviously everyone’s pallet is a little different!