This Apple Mug Cake packs an entire apple into a small microwave cake. It is easy, ultra-soft, and fluffy, and is a must-try fall dessert for one!
5 STAR REVIEWS
Teri says "Made this just now, cooked apple and butter together because I couldn’t wait for the butter to soften 🤣 used 1 T sugar and maybe ⅛ t or so of cinnamon. Very good! Keeping this one! 🍎" ★★★★★
Jennifer says "This was by far the best mug cake I've ever made!! Didn't change a thing from your recipe, I used a honey crisp and the result was perfection. Thank you for the awesome recipe!! I know I'm late to the party, but I just had to let you know how good it was lol" ★★★★★
My go-to apple mug cake is all about simplicity—soft, fluffy, and bursting with real apple flavor, just like a warm apple muffin.
To get perfectly tender apples in a short microwave cooking time, I pre-cook the chopped apples first (just like I do for my mango mug cake). This quick step softens the apple chunks, reduces excess moisture (since apples are mostly water), and deepens the flavor.
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Why You’ll Love This Apple Mug Cake
- Uses one whole apple in a single mug cake
- Incredibly soft and fluffy like a sponge cake
- Features a clever method to pack in extra apples
- Quick and easy single-serve dessert
- A cozy, comforting fall treat you'll make on repeat
Ingredients you'll need to make apple cake in the microwave?
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Apple: I prefer apples like Gala, Honeycrisp, or Golden Delicious for baking—they’re naturally sweet with a subtle tartness and hold their shape well when cooked. This makes them perfect for mug cakes, where quick cooking can turn softer apples into mush.
- Flour: Regular all-purpose flour works best here, providing enough structure for the sponge cake to rise while still keeping it soft and tender.
- Sugar: You only need about 2 tablespoons of sugar because apples add their own natural sweetness.
- Milk: You can use any milk of choice, but I prefer whole milk for it's richness.
- Oil: A neutral, flavorless oil like vegetable or canola ensures a moist crumb without affecting the taste. It’s a key ingredient in microwave mug cakes that keeps them from drying out.
- Baking Powder: Baking powder activates instantly when mixed with liquid, making it perfect for fast, single-serve desserts.
- Vanilla: Vanilla extract adds a classic, cake-like aroma and flavor. But for a fall twist, spices like cinnamon, ginger, or allspice can be added or used instead to make it warm and cozy.
Apple Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped apples (1 small-medium size 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
- Wash, peel, core an apple and chop into ¼-inch cubes. Measure one cup.
- Add chopped apple into a microwave safe coffee mug (preferably a large mug). Microwave for 2 minutes. Pro tip: Pre-cooking the apple chunks softens them, reduces excess moisture, and intensifies their flavor.
- Remove mug from microwave, stir in butter, until it is fully melted and then mix in milk. Tip: Use room-temperature butter! Cold butter reduces the temperature of apples drastically and affects the texture of the finished product.
- Add remaining ingredients and mix very well, until thoroughly combined.
- Microwave for 1 minute and 50 seconds for a wide mug or 2 minutes for regular mug (as shown in photos).Pro tip: After the cooking time is complete, avoid opening the microwave for an additional 10 to 20 seconds before removing the cake. This helps prevent any shrinkage.
- Serve hot with ice cream!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
How to make apple mug cake?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
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Pro tip: After the cooking time is complete, avoid opening the microwave for an additional 10 to 20 seconds before removing the cake. This helps prevent any shrinkage.
Variations
- Swap the vanilla for cinnamon—it turns the mug cake into a cozy little apple cinnamon cake!
- Use warm fall spices like ginger, nutmeg, or cardamom instead of vanilla extract for a cozy Fall treat.
Recipe tips
- Mug size. Both large or medium size microwave safe coffee mugs work for this apple mug cake recipe. However, it is easier to mix the batter in a larger one.
- Cooking time. Cook for 1 min and 50 secs, if using a wide mug and 2 minutes, if using a medium mug.
- Best apples to use. I like to use Honey crisp, Golden Delicious, Fuji or Gala. You want to choose an apple that is crisp, sweet, and tart.
- Sugar. It depends on the sweetness of the apple used. I used Gala, and 2 tablespoons of sugar was perfect.
- Stir batter until lump free. Using a spoon, stir the cake batter until smooth and no lumps remain.
- Best eaten hot. Enjoy this microwave apple dessert, because microwave cakes have a tendency to might dry a little when left at room temperature.
- The eggless apple cake tends to shrink slightly when you remove it from the microwave. So, I prefer opening the microwave after 10 to 20 seconds after cooking.
- Use room-temperature butter—it melts quickly and blends better. If using cold butter, chop it into small pieces so it melts faster.
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More Easy Mug Cake Recipes to Try
Craving more quick and delicious microwave desserts? These easy mug cake recipes are perfect when you want something sweet in minutes:
- Mocha Mug Cake – Love a mocha at your favorite café? This mug cake combines rich chocolate and coffee for an irresistible, cozy cake.
- Almond Flour Mug Cake – Yes, mug cakes can be healthy too! This flourless, gluten-free option is packed with protein and low in carbs—perfect for a guilt-free treat.
- Oreo Mug Cake – Want to impress the kids (or your inner child)? Try this fun and easy recipe made with crushed Oreo cookies.
- Oatmeal Mug Cake – A great way to shake up your morning routine! It’s like having your bowl of oatmeal... in cake form.
- Pumpkin Mug Cake – Craving fall flavors? This spiced mug cake like the chai mug cake, with warm notes of cinnamon, is the ultimate cozy dessert.
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Kitchen at Hoskins on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Teri W
Made this just now, cooked apple and butter together because I couldn’t wait for the butter to soften 🤣 used 1 T sugar and maybe 1/8 t or so of cinnamon. Very good! Keeping this one! 🍎
Maria Doss
Hi Teri, Sounds great, glad you liked the mug cake, Maria
Andy
Any tips for using almond or coconut flour instead?
Maria Doss
Hi Amy, We wouldn't recommend using gluten free flours in this recipe. However, you can check out this Mug cake recipe using almond flour instead. Hope it helps - Maria
Jennifer
This was by far the best mug cake I've ever made!! Didn't change a thing from your recipe, I used a honey crisp and the result was perfection. Thank you for the awesome recipe!! I know I'm late to the party, but I just had to let you know how good it was lol
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear, so glad you loved it - Maria ♡
Janet
I my goodness I can’t believe how easy and delicious this is
Can’t wait to try other cakes
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear, so glad you loved it - Maria ♡
Dougal
I used coconut oil instead of your suggestion for butter and cornflour cos I have run out of flour and it was delicious; added a dash of caramel flavour before noshing! Wonderful thank you 🫖
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear, so glad you loved it - Maria ♡
Linda Atkinson
Wow. Such a great mug cake. Soft and fluffy...very easy to make. I added some cinnamon because I love cinnamon and apple together. Put some yoghurt on top once it was cooked. Yummo!
Linda
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear! Wishing you a very happy new year - Maria ♡
Dana
I look forward to trying this! But no cinnamon is a travesty! 😄
Christina
I added cinnamon with the fry mix, then caramel on top with my ice cream! So good.
Maria Doss
Love to hear that - Maria ❤️
Kris
I don’t know the variety of apples we have on our tree. We live in France and have been told we have the best apples around. I like Mug cakes as we like a small dessert after dinner; There was enough in the mug for two of us and a topping of whipped cream made for the best mug cake I have made. I didn’t have enough milk so used cream and put the butter in with the apples halfway through cooking them. I didn’t measure the ingredients either but after cooking for 67 years I might be forgiven for guessing. I will definitely make this again.
Maria Doss
Love to hear that - Maria ❤️