Low-Sugar Banana Mug Cake

If you like banana bread, treat yourself to this low-sugar banana mug cake with only a coffee mug, a few ingredients, and two minutes in the microwave!

This is a very low-sugar and lightly sweet banana mug cake recipe that is a quick and easy treat when a topping is added or can even be a delicious breakfast option without any decadent toppings. My favorite way to top it is with peanut butter, while it’s still warm so that it melts on top. Add a few slices of bananas and you have a wonderful little snack.

If I want something a bit sweeter, just a tablespoon or two of canned frosting (again, while warm is my favorite) makes a great topping. You can also add pancake syrup, caramel sauce, or even whipped cream.

No matter what I top the banana mug cake with, I always add freshly sliced banana on top of that. Since the cake itself only uses 1/2 of a banana, I have just enough left for this. Dressing it up with pecans or walnuts just makes it even better. So basically, take this base recipe and run as far as you want to go with it. Either way, don’t miss out on eating this sweet and moist cake warm!

Recipe Ingredients

• Vegetable oil
• Banana
• Flour
• Baking soda
• Vanilla
• Honey
• Apple cider vinegar
• Egg
• Optional for toppings: chopped nuts of your choice, a spoonful of canned icing, peanut butter, whipped cream, caramel sauce, etc.

Now you can use an 8-ounce ramekin or a regular mug for this as above. I’ve made this banana bread mug cake several times since my friend, Marci, gave me the recipe and it does puff up in the center while cooking but then it goes back down. I’ve never had any overflow. However, my mugs do tend to be about 10 ounces.

• Place 1/2 of the banana in the mug or ramekin and mash really well with a fork.
• Add oil to the mashed banana and stir until blended. Add vanilla extract, honey or sugar, egg, and flour. Stir.
• Add baking soda and a drop of vinegar to cause it to foam. Stir again until well blended.
• Microwave for 2-2 1/2 minutes or until done. Let it sit for a minute or two before enjoying as the inside will be HOT.
• Add a topping, if desired, and garnish with the remainder of the banana slices and chopped nuts (optional).

Note: If I’m using a topping, I like to put it on the warm cake so that it melts into the cake.

Enjoy your quick and easy guilt-free treat for one!

Recipe Notes

• If I’m using a topping, I like to put it on the warm cake so that it melts into the cake.
• Speaking of toppings, I give you permission to go wild! Suggestions include chopped walnuts or pecans, canned icing, whipped cream, creamy peanut butter (or any nut butter), custard, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. But remember if you are wanting low carb and low sugar, keep it simple.
• You can also top it with a super simple sugar glaze. Combine 1/4 cup sugar (or brown sugar), 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter, 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a small splash of milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute and then immediately pour your vanilla glaze over your mug cake.
• Another option is adding the chopped nuts to the cake batter (all you need is a couple of tablespoons).
• For that banana bread taste, go ahead and add a pinch of ground cinnamon.
• Bananas vary in size, which can mean one banana cake may end up with more liquid than the other. This is why there is a variance in the amount of flour. If your batter is runnier than typical cake batter, add an additional tablespoon of flour before cooking.
• To make this into a vegan banana mug cake recipe, leave out the egg. It should still taste great, but if it’s not moist enough, add a tablespoon of milk of your choice. Nut milks work just fine. You can also easily substitute the oil for coconut oil.
• You will want to use an overripe or ripe banana. Unripe bananas won’t mash properly.
• To make this gluten-free, use gluten-free alternatives for the wheat flour (such as coconut flour or almond flour) and the baking soda.
• Banana mug cakes can get messy if left in the microwave for too long. To avoid any unnecessary cleaning, place the mug on top of a plate in the microwave.
• To check if your mug cake is done, poke a skewer in the middle and ensure it comes out clean. No one wants to eat a raw egg now!
• For a chocolate banana mug cake, add a tablespoon or two of chocolate chips or milk chocolate chunks to your cake batter (once you’ve combined the other ingredients). You could also add a tablespoon of cocoa powder when you add the other dry ingredients.

You may also like these recipes:

Low-Sugar Banana Oat Muffins

Frozen Banana Pudding Cups

Sixteen Low and No-Sugar Recipes from Southern Plate!

Almost No Sugar Ice Cream Grahamwiches

Homemade Banana Pudding

 

There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still. 

~Franklin D Roosevelt.