White Chocolate Peppermint Keto-Friendly Mug Cake

(this post is sponsored by In The Raw® sweeteners, but all opinions are my own)

If you've been following my blog and Instagram for the last six months or so, you know that I am HOOKED on Keto-Certified Monk Fruit In The Raw Zero Calorie Sweetener alternative to other natural sweeteners, such as coconut sugar or maple syrup. While there's a time and place for those ingredients, I am increasingly drawn to monk fruit as a way to sweeten my baked goods, beverages and desserts. It's a perfect substitute for traditional white sugar, and you get all the flavor benefits without any of the downsides! Hands down, monk fruit has the most similar flavor to regular-ole refined sugar that I've ever tasted.

My only caveat with monk fruit is that you have to be careful with what brand you use. Not all monk fruit products are created equal! As it increases in popularity, companies are adding filler ingredients like table sugar and molasses, which is deceptive AND mitigates the health benefits of using a zero-calorie sweetener in the first place.

Which is why I've teamed up with In The Raw® to spread the word far and wide about their Keto-Certified Monk Fruit In The Raw Zero-Calorie Sweetener!

You might be asking, "Laura Lea, what the heck IS monk fruit in the first place?!" Well, when it's coming from In The Raw, you can be assured you're getting monk fruit extract, which is derived from a vine-ripened (monk) fruit native to Asia. On its own, this extract is 300x sweeter than table sugar, so Keto-Certified Monk Fruit In The Raw Zero Calorie Sweetener is mixed with erythritol as a bulking agent, which creates the ideal sweetness for ME and YOU to stir into all recipes. Erythritol is a zero-calorie sugar alcohol that is completely safe for consumption, ,and it helps mitigate the incredibly potent sweetness of monk fruit extract.

I am particularly smitten with these keto-certified little packets, because they're great for single-serving beverages or recipes (like today's!), and I love keeping them in my purse for whenever I travel / grab coffee out. Unfortunately, many coffee shops don’t carry monk fruits, so keeping a few Keto-Certified Monk Fruit In The Raw Zero-Calorie Sweetener packets on me is clutch. Just ONE has the equivalent sweetness of about 2 teaspoons of sugar and contains less than 1 calorie! Plus, they're vegan, gluten-free and kosher-certified.

I had such a blast creating a keto-friendly recipe using the Keto-Certified Monk Fruit In The Raw Zero Calorie Sweetener, and I think it will be so helpful as you navigate the holiday season. Totally indulgent-tasting and satiating, this White Chocolate Peppermint Mug Cake is a healthy alternative to the sugary goodies that we're inundated with this time of year. The recipe only takes a few minutes from start to finish, so you can just throw one together whenever you're hankering for something decadent. Using melted cocoa butter provides a signature 'white chocolate' flavor, as well as a dose of high-quality fat. A touch of peppermint extract is the perfect pop of festive holiday flavor, but you can certainly use vanilla extract instead if you prefer.

Not only does this mug cake satisfying my cravings, it keeps me full and energized for hours. You can also make a few at a time and keep them in the fridge to enjoy over several days; just make sure to read the recipe for notes.

I pair my mug cake with a (second) cup of coffee sweetened with 1 packet of Keto-Certified Monk Fruit In The Raw Zero Calorie Sweetener, and I can't think of a happier way to start the day! The packets are also fabulous for sweetening oatmeal, tea, smoothies, berries, yogurt and more. If you want to get your hands on my new favorite sweetener, you can find them in store near you HERE, or you can buy them online HERE! I also suggest giving them a follow on Instagram (@InTheRaw) for delicious recipe inspiration!