Black Sesame Mug Cake (Paleo, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)

A black mug on a two black plates is filled with a black sesame cake topped with candy eyeballs.

5 from 11 votes

Black Sesame Mug Cake (Paleo, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)

This Asian-inspired black sesame mug cake can be assembled and cooked in your microwave in less than five minutes! Plus, it makes a spooky single serve sponge cake for Halloween!

Prep Time2

Cook Time3

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Japanese

Keyword: Dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, halloween, mug cake, nom nom paleo, nomnompaleo, paleo

Servings:

Author: Michelle Tam

Ingredients

2½ tablespoons finely ground almond flour or casssava flour
⅛ teaspoon baking soda
⅛ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
1 tablespoon Japanese black sesame paste
1½ tablespoon maple syrup or 1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons avocado oil or melted coconut oil
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 tablespoon candy eyeballs (optional)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In a liquid measuring cup, add the almond flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk until uniform.
Add the black sesame paste, maple syrup, avocado oil, vanilla extract, and egg. Whisk the batter until smooth.
If you want the mug cake to look pretty, pour the batter into a microwave-safe mug (6- to 8-ounce size is optimal). However, you can totally microwave the cake in the glass liquid measuring cup if you want to cut down on dishes to wash.
Place the mug in the center of your microwave (it will rise more evenly in that spot), and cook on high power for 1-2 minutes. I have a 900 watt microwave and my mug cakes are done in 90 seconds. Adjust the cooking time depending on the strength of your microwave—decrease the time if you have a higher wattage microwave and increase it if you have a less powerful microwave.
The black sesame mug cake is finished cooking when it puffs up and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Don’t worry if your cake looks lopsided or collapses—it will still taste great!
Let the cake cool for a few minutes and top with candied eyeballs, if desired.

Video

Notes

Oven and air fryer instructions:

Pour the batter into an oven-safe 6-ounce ramekin and bake it in a 350°F oven or toaster oven for 18-20 minutes or a 325°F air fryer for 13-15 minutes. The tiny single serve cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Nutrition