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Apple Mug Cake

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A quick, single-serving cinnamon-spiced cake studded with tender apple pieces. Perfect for satisfying dessert cravings in minutes without the need to bake a full cake.

Ingredients

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For the Cake:

  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or melted butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup diced apple (about half a small apple, peeled)

For the Topping:

 

  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon butter, cut into tiny pieces

Instructions

  1. Choose the Right Mug: Select a microwave-safe mug that holds at least 12 ounces (1.5 cups). The cake will rise during cooking, so make sure your mug is only filled halfway with batter to prevent overflow.
  2. Prepare the Apples: Peel and dice the apple into small 1/4-inch pieces so they’ll cook quickly in the microwave.
  3. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In your mug, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg with a fork until well combined and no lumps remain.
  4. Add the Wet Ingredients: Add the milk, oil or melted butter, and vanilla extract to the mug. Stir with a fork until smooth and just combined, making sure to incorporate ingredients from the bottom of the mug.
  5. Fold in the Apples: Gently fold in the diced apples, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
  6. Add the Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon for the topping. Sprinkle this mixture over the batter, followed by the optional chopped nuts. Dot the top with the tiny pieces of butter.
  7. Microwave the Cake: Place the mug in the microwave and cook on high power for 60-90 seconds. Start checking at 60 seconds – the cake is done when it has risen and is firm but still slightly moist on top. Cooking times may vary depending on your microwave’s wattage.
  8. Cool Slightly: Let the mug cake cool for 1-2 minutes before eating. The cake and especially the apple pieces will be very hot right out of the microwave.

Serving Suggestions:

 

Enjoy your apple mug cake warm with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. For breakfast vibes, try a spoonful of vanilla yogurt on top.

Notes

Pro Tips:

  • Use a firm apple variety like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that holds its shape when cooked.
  • For extra apple flavor, add a tiny splash (no more than 1/8 teaspoon) of apple extract if you have it.
  • Be precise with your measurements – in such a small recipe, proportions matter more.
  • If the cake seems too dry, add an extra teaspoon of milk next time.
  • For a caramel apple version, add a teaspoon of caramel sauce to the center of the batter before cooking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Overfilling the mug – this will cause the cake to overflow during cooking.
  • Overcooking – microwave mug cakes go from perfect to rubbery very quickly. When in doubt, slightly undercook.
  • Cutting apple pieces too large – they won’t cook through in the short cooking time.
  • Forgetting to peel the apple, which can result in an unpleasant texture.

Storage Instructions:

Mug cakes are best enjoyed immediately after cooking. However, if you want to prepare the dry ingredients ahead of time, you can mix them in a small container or zip-top bag and add the wet ingredients when you’re ready to cook.

 

Enjoy your Apple Mug Cake!