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    Home » Recipes

    September 27, 2022

    Buttery Apple Spice Mug Cake

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    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.

    Scooping apple mug cake out of the mug with a spoon

    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.
    Cooked apple mug cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top

    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!

    apple mug cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream

    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.

    1. 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.
    2. Mix up the batter. In a small bowl, mix together the batter ingredients, then pour into the mug over the caramelized apples.
    3. Finish with more apple slices. Top the batter with the remaining apple slices, spices, brown sugar, and butter.
    4. Microwave the cake. Microwave for 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes, or until the cake is puffy and set.
    5. 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!
    vanilla cake batter topped with apple slices, brown sugar and butter

    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.

    Scooping apple mug cake out of the mug with a spoon

    More fall recipes you'll love

    • Spiced Apple Cider Moscow Mule
    • Fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes with Cinnamon Honey Butter
    • Best Apple Pie
    • Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam (Starbucks Copycat)

    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! 😊

    Scooping apple mug cake out of the mug with a spoon

    Buttery Apple Spice Mug Cake

    Rachel Riesgraf
    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. All the best fall flavors without the hassle! Top with a drizzle of caramel and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
    5 stars
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 3 mins
    Total Time 8 mins
    Course Dessert
    Servings 1 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.
    Did you make this recipe?I'd love to hear from you! Rate the recipe and leave a comment below or share a picture on Instagram and tag @ModernFarmhouseEats

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my privacy policy for details.

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    1. Sage says

      October 05, 2022 at 3:37 pm

      5 stars
      Very quick and yummy!

      Reply

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    Rachel Riesgraf

    Hey There!

    I’m Rachel Riesgraf, a recipe developer and food photographer. Welcome to my modern farmhouse! Growing up on a farm, I learned how to create the best homestyle recipes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. I carry that same style of cooking and baking with me as I develop easy, from scratch, comfort food recipes for the busy, modern cook.

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