Apple Mug Cake: The Coziest Microwave Treat for Fall

Apple mug cake is one of my favorite fall desserts. It’s soft, buttery, and filled with tender apple chunks in every bite. The best part? You only need a mug, a microwave, and a few pantry basics to make it.

I first created this apple mug cake on a rainy Oregon afternoon, with just one apple and a little inspiration from my grandmother’s kitchen. The smell of warm apples and vanilla brought back those sweet memories instantly afternoons spent baking by her side, learning that dessert doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful.

This apple mug cake has become my go-to when I’m craving comfort in a hurry. It’s quick, cozy, and full of flavor especially when served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The apples soften perfectly, and the batter turns into a fluffy, cinnamon-kissed cake in minutes.

If you’re in the mood for more fruit-filled comfort, you’ll love the Strawberry Mug Cake or my caramel apple mug cake too.

Let’s dive into how to make the perfect apple mug cake fast, flavorful, and from the heart.

🍎 Apple Mug Cake: The Coziest Microwave Treat for Fall

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• Author: Rita
• Total Time: 8 minutes
• Yield: 1 serving
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This apple mug cake is a warm, fluffy dessert made in minutes with just one apple, flour, butter, and pantry staples.

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Ingredients

1 cup chopped apples (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

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Instructions

1. Wash, peel, core, and chop the apple into ¼-inch cubes.

2. Place chopped apple in a large microwave-safe mug and microwave for 2 minutes.

3. Stir in butter until melted, then add milk and mix well.

4. Add flour, sugar, baking powder, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir until smooth.

5. Microwave the mug for 1 minute 50 seconds (wide mug) or 2 minutes (standard mug).

6. Let it sit in the microwave for 10–20 seconds before removing to prevent shrinkage.

7. Serve warm with a topping like ice cream or caramel drizzle.

Notes

Use crisp, sweet apples like Gala, Honeycrisp, or Fuji.

Avoid cold butter—it can affect texture and prevent even mixing.

Always stir until the batter is lump-free before microwaving.

This cake is best enjoyed hot. Reheating may dry it out.

• Prep Time: 4 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 minutes
• Category: Fruit-Filled Mug Cakes
• Method: Microwave
• Cuisine: American

How to Make Apple Mug Cake Step by Step

Creating an apple mug cake is surprisingly simple and the reward is huge. It’s soft, fluffy, and packed with real apple flavor. Here’s how I make this cozy dessert in just eight minutes from start to finish.

Gather Your Ingredients

To make one serving of apple mug cake, you’ll need:

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

I recommend apples like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji for a sweet-tart balance that melts beautifully in the microwave.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the apple: Wash, peel, and core your apple. Chop it into small ¼-inch cubes and measure out one cup.
2. Microwave the apple: Place the chopped apple into a large microwave-safe mug. Microwave for 2 minutes to soften. This releases flavor and reduces excess moisture.
3. Add wet ingredients: Stir in butter until melted, then mix in milk. Make sure your butter is room temperature—cold butter can ruin the texture.
4. Mix the batter: Add flour, sugar, baking powder, vanilla, and salt. Stir well until the batter is smooth and lump-free.
5. Cook the cake: Microwave for about 1 minute and 50 seconds (for a wide mug) or 2 minutes (for a standard mug). Don’t open the door right away—wait 10–20 seconds to prevent shrinkage.

For a fluffier texture, try blending techniques from other simple favorites like this Vanilla Bean Mug Cake, which uses a similar base and perfect mixing tips.

Pro Tips for Mug Cake Success

• Mug size matters: Use a larger mug to make mixing easier and avoid overflow.
• Choose the right apple: Crisp, sweet apples with a bit of tartness work best.
• Stir thoroughly: Ensure no dry spots remain in the batter before microwaving.
• Serve immediately: Microwave cakes dry out fast enjoy it while it’s warm and fluffy.

This apple mug cake comes together fast, but feels thoughtful. It’s comfort food without the wait.

Apple Mug Cake Serving Ideas and Flavor Twists

Once your apple mug cake is hot and ready, the fun really begins. This little cake is full of cozy flavor on its own, but with a few simple toppings or variations, it becomes a personalized fall dessert you’ll want to make again and again.

Serve It Warm and Dress It Up

I always recommend eating your apple mug cake while it’s warm and soft. The apples are tender, the cake is fluffy, and every bite melts into comfort. Here are my favorite ways to serve it:

• Top with vanilla ice cream: The contrast of hot cake and cold cream is magic.
• Add a caramel drizzle: A spoonful of caramel sauce makes it taste like a quick caramel apple mug cake.
• Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar: For extra warmth and texture, just before serving.
• Dollop with whipped cream: Light and fluffy meets dense and warm a beautiful combo.

If you like fruit-forward desserts with a classic twist, try serving this just like I do my Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cake: a warm fruit base, tender cake, and a creamy topping to finish it off.

Creative Apple Mug Cake Variations

This recipe is flexible and forgiving just like a good mug cake should be. Here are a few fun ways to make it your own:

• Apple Pie Mug Cake: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, and crushed graham crackers on top. It tastes just like a slice of pie in a cup.
• Healthy Apple Mug Cake: Use a natural sweetener like maple syrup or honey, and swap flour for almond flour or oat flour for added fiber.
• 3 Ingredient Apple Mug Cake: In a pinch, you can mix applesauce, self-rising flour, and a touch of sugar. It’s not as rich, but still satisfying and super fast.

This recipe is all about comforting creativity. One mug, one apple, endless possibilities.

Why Apple Mug Cake Is More Than Just Dessert

For me, apple mug cake is more than a recipe it’s a moment. It’s a memory, wrapped in cinnamon and warmth, that reminds me why I started baking in the first place. This dessert brings back afternoons in my grandmother’s kitchen, where she’d remind me that dessert doesn’t have to be perfect it just has to come from the heart.

The simplicity of this apple mug cake is what makes it so special. It’s fast. It’s flavorful. And it turns one small apple into something that feels like care. Whether you’re winding down after a long day or carving out a quiet minute just for you, this little cake offers the kind of comfort we all need more of.

And if you’re leaning into feel-good treats that nourish as much as they comfort, you might also love my Healthy Mug Cake (No Sugar): Sweet Comfort Without the Guilt a reminder that indulgence doesn’t have to mean compromise.

Every mug cake I share is a small story of joy. And this apple mug cake? It’s one of my favorites. From my kitchen to yours, I hope it brings sweetness, warmth, and maybe a little bit of peace.

Because dessert, after all, is love you can taste.

Looking for more sweet inspiration?

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FAQs About Apple Mug Cake