Craving something sweet, warm, and comforting but don’t want to bake a whole cake? This 5-minute tahini mug cake is your answer. It’s incredibly fast, naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and sweetened only with dates (تمر).
It’s the perfect frugal, high-protein treat for a quick snack in Cairo or anywhere you need a healthy dessert in a hurry. Using tahini (طحينة) as the base makes it rich, fudgy, and satisfying.
- Prep: 4 mins
- Cook: 1-2 mins
- Total: 5-6 mins
- Servings: 1
- Yield: 1 mug cake
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons tahini (طحينة)
- 4 soft pitted dates
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 pinch of salt
Equipment
- A small blender (a hand-held immersion blender works too)
- A large, microwave-safe mug (at least 12 oz / 350ml to prevent overflowing)
Directions
Step 1
Place all ingredients—the egg, tahini, pitted dates, baking soda, and salt—into a small blender.
Step 2
Blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, and the dates are fully broken down.
Step 3
Pour the batter into your large, microwave-safe mug.
Step 4: Microwave on High
The cooking time is key and depends on the texture you want.
- For a Fudgy, Molten Cake (Recommended):
Microwave for 45-60 seconds. The top will be set, but the bottom and center will be liquidy and fudge-like. - For a Brownie-like Cake:
Microwave for 60-90 seconds. The cake will puff up (“dome”) and be cooked through, like a dense brownie. - For a Fluffy, Spongy Cake:
Microwave for 90-120 seconds. The cake will fully cook, dome, and then sink back down.
Step 5
Carefully remove the mug from the microwave (it will be hot!). Let it cool for one minute, then eat straight from the mug.
Cook’s Notes
- Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.
- No Blender? You can mash the dates into a fine paste with a fork, then whisk all ingredients together vigorously in the mug until smooth. The texture will be slightly more rustic.
- Add-ins: Feel free to stir in a tablespoon of dark chocolate chips or chopped walnuts before microwaving.
Nutrition Facts
(Approximate values for one serving):
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Protein: 14 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fat: 27 g (mostly healthy fats from tahini)
- Fiber: 5 g
- Sugar: 24 g (all-natural from dates)
***Disclaimer:*** Nutritional information is estimated and may vary based on the specific ingredients used.
