Easy and delicious fall dessert for one! Filled with apples, pie spice, brown sugar, and butter, then cooked in the microwave until the apples are caramelized and the cake is soft and fluffy. This apple mug cake has all the best fall flavors without the hassle! Top with a drizzle of caramel and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
This post is sponsored by Go Bold With Butter, who I am so excited to partner with! Recipe, thoughts and opinions are all my own.
This mug cake is perfect for when you've got that fall dessert craving, but you're not trying to make an entire cake! It's so simple to make with pantry-staple ingredients and is ready in under 10 minutes. The apples are soft and tender, the cake is perfectly fluffy and it's filled with warm fall spices.
What I love most about this apple mug cake though is that it's made with apples that I picked on my family's farm. Can't get any better than that!
Why you'll this mug cake
- Easy to make. All you need is 5 minutes of prep time and a couple of minutes in the microwave!
- Perfect for fall. Apple mug cake is giving me all the fall vibes. Apples, apple pie spice, brown sugar, butter, and caramel...the flavor combination is everything you would dream of for a fall cake!
- Single serving. This mug cake is when you have a sweet tooth craving, but you don't want to make an entire cake. It's the perfect single serving.
Let's talk real butter
There are a few key ingredients in this recipe that are non-negotiable, one of those being butter! This recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of salted butter for one mug cake. But, it has to be real butter. For the best (and most delicious) results, avoid substituting oil or margarine!
Real butter is truly the only way to go. Butter not only adds moisture to the cake, but it also makes the cake tender and adds lots of flavor! While oil and margarine also add moisture, you won't get the same fluffy, cakey, flavorful results as you will with butter! And don't forget to use salted butter to help balance out the sweetness!
Ingredients
You only need a handful of simple, pantry-staple ingredients to make the most delicious apple mug cake.
- Apple
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Apple pie spice (or pumpkin pie spice)
- Optional garnish: caramel and vanilla ice cream
How to make an apple mug cake
Making an apple mug cake is quite simple. Here's an overview.
- Caramelize the apples. Add butter, spices, apples, and brown sugar to a mug and microwave for about 30 seconds to soften the apples and create a caramel-like sauce.
- Mix up the batter. In a small bowl, mix together the batter ingredients, then pour into the mug over the caramelized apples.
- Finish with more apple slices. Top the batter with the remaining apple slices, spices, brown sugar, and butter.
- Microwave the cake. Microwave for 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes, or until the cake is puffy and set.
- Serve. Enjoy the cake while it's still warm with a drizzle of caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
* Scroll down to the recipe card for the full instructions.
Tips & Tricks
- Don't over-mix the cake batter. Once the flour is added, you only want to mix the batter until the flour is just combined. Some small lumps of flour are OK. Over-mixing gluten will cause the cake to become chewy.
- Don't overcook the cake. It's best to check the cake as it cooks to make sure you aren't overcooking it, which can cause the cake to become dense.
- Use lots of butter. Butter not only keeps the cake nice and moist, but it also adds delicious flavor.
- Use more or less apples. Feel free to adjust the amount of apples to your personal preference!
Frequently asked questions
Why are some mug cakes chewy?
Just like a cake made in the oven, mug cakes can become chewy when the cake batter is overmixed or when the cake is overcooked. Overworking the gluten makes for a tough and chewy cake, so once you add the flour, mix until just combined.
What makes a mug cake rise?
When it comes to mug cake, all you need is a little baking powder to make the cake rise. No eggs are needed.
How to cut apples for apple mug cake.
Leave the skins on, cut out the core, and thinly slice the apples into wedges. About 4-6 slices per quarter apple. You don't want slices that are too thick because then they won't cook well.
Are microwave mug cakes safe to eat?
Yes! The microwave fully cooks the cake, and this recipe doesn't call for any eggs, so there's no need to worry!
Are mug cakes supposed to be gooey?
I prefer apple mug cakes fully cooked, but you can certainly reduce the cook time by about 30 seconds for a gooey center.
More fall recipes you'll love
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below! I'd love to hear from you! If you’re on Instagram, share a picture of the food you created and tag me at Modern Farmhouse Eats! I enjoy seeing all the pictures! 😊
Buttery Apple Spice Mug Cake
Ingredients
- ¼-1/2 small apple, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon apple pie spice (divided)
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- To a microwave-safe mug, add ½ of the apple slices, ½ tablespoon butter, ½ tablespoon brown sugar, and ⅛ teaspoon apple pie spice. Microwave for 30 seconds to soften the apples.
- In a small bowl, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the microwave, then mix in 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until combined. Add the flour, baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon apple pie spice, then mix until combined. Pour the batter over the apples in the mug.
- Top the batter with the remaining apple slices, then sprinkle with ½ tablespoon brown sugar and ⅛ teaspoon apple pie spice. Top with ½ tablespoon of butter.
- Microwave for 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes, or until the cake is puffy and set.
- If desired, drizzle with caramel and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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Sage says
Very quick and yummy!