Introduction

This apple mug cake is a quick and comforting single-serve dessert that’s perfect when you want something sweet in minutes. Combining tender cooked apples with a soft, buttery cake, it’s an easy treat you can make right in your microwave.

The image shows a white cup filled with a layered dessert resting on a wooden coaster, placed on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer appears to be a soft, moist cake with a light brown color. Above it, there is a crunchy, golden-brown walnut topping scattered unevenly over a creamy white layer that looks like whipped cream or frosting. A spoon is digging into the dessert, partially lifting the cake layer, with a woman's hand holding the spoon. The textures vary from smooth and creamy to crumbly and crunchy. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup chopped apples (about 1 small-medium apple)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
2 tablespoons milk
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
⅛ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Step 1: Wash, peel, core, and chop the apple into ¼-inch cubes to measure one cup. Place the chopped apple in a large microwave-safe coffee mug.
Step 2: Microwave the apples for 2 minutes to soften them and enhance their flavor.
Step 3: Remove the mug from the microwave. Stir in the room-temperature butter until fully melted, then mix in the milk.
Step 4: Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, vanilla extract, and salt to the mug. Stir well until the batter is smooth and lump-free.
Step 5: Microwave for 1 minute and 50 seconds if using a wide mug, or 2 minutes if using a regular-sized mug. After cooking, keep the microwave door closed for an additional 10–20 seconds to prevent shrinkage.
Step 6: Serve the mug cake hot, optionally topped with ice cream for an extra delicious treat.

Tips & Variations

Use crisp, sweet, and tart apples like Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, Fuji, or Gala for the best flavor and texture.
Room-temperature butter melts better and helps maintain the cake’s texture; avoid using cold butter.
Adjust the sugar amount based on the sweetness of your apples.
Mix the batter thoroughly until smooth to avoid lumps.
For extra flavor, sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg into the batter before microwaving.

Storage

This mug cake is best enjoyed fresh and warm. If you have leftovers, store them covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Reheat gently in the microwave for about 20–30 seconds before serving, but note the cake may dry out slightly after cooling.

How to Serve

The image shows a white mug on a round wooden coaster, placed on a white marbled surface. Inside the mug, there are three distinct layers: the bottom layer is white and creamy, the middle layer is covered with large, light golden-brown chunks that look soft and crumbly, and the top layer consists of uneven, darker brown pieces that appear crunchy, possibly walnuts. A black spoon is dipped into the mug, scooping some of the contents, and a woman's hand is gently holding the spoon. The lighting is soft and natural, highlighting the texture of each layer. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen apples in this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen apples, but be sure to thaw and drain any excess moisture before microwaving to avoid a soggy cake.

What size mug should I use?

A large microwave-safe coffee mug is preferred for easier mixing and even cooking. Cooking times vary slightly with mug size—about 1 minute 50 seconds for a wide mug, and 2 minutes for a regular-sized mug.

Apple Mug Cake Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 98 reviews

This Apple Mug Cake recipe is a quick and easy single-serving dessert made in the microwave, featuring tender, flavorful apple chunks mixed into a moist, cinnamon-spiced cake. Perfect for a cozy treat in minutes, it requires minimal ingredients and is ideal for satisfying sweet cravings without the hassle of traditional baking.

Author: Kai
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 9 minutes
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Microwaving
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Fruit

1 cup chopped apples (1 small-medium size apple, peeled, cored, and chopped into ¼-inch cubes)

Dairy

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
2 tablespoons milk

Baking Ingredients

¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
⅛ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Prepare the apple: Wash, peel, core, and chop the apple into ¼-inch cubes to measure one cup of chopped apple.
Pre-cook the apples: Place the chopped apple into a large microwave-safe coffee mug and microwave on high for 2 minutes. This softens the apples and intensifies their flavor.
Add butter and milk: Remove the mug from the microwave and stir in 2 tablespoons of room-temperature unsalted butter until fully melted. Then add 2 tablespoons of milk and mix well.
Combine dry ingredients and mix: Add ¼ cup all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and ⅛ teaspoon salt to the mug. Stir thoroughly until the batter is smooth and lump-free.
Microwave the cake: Microwave the batter for 1 minute and 50 seconds if using a wide mug, or 2 minutes for a regular-sized mug. After cooking, keep the microwave door closed for an additional 10-20 seconds to prevent shrinkage.
Serve: Enjoy the apple mug cake hot, optionally topped with ice cream or your favorite toppings.

Notes

Mug size: Both large and medium microwave-safe mugs work well. Larger mugs make mixing easier.
Cooking time: Adjust between 1 minute 50 seconds (wide mug) and 2 minutes (medium mug).
Best apple varieties: Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, Fuji, or Gala work best due to their crisp, sweet, and tart flavor profiles.
Sugar adjustment: Adjust sugar amount based on the sweetness of apples; 2 tablespoons suits Gala apples.
Mix thoroughly: Stir the batter until smooth and lump-free for the best texture.
Best served hot: Microwave mug cakes tend to dry quickly; enjoy immediately for optimal moistness.