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This easy apple mug cake is a quick single-serve treat made with apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon for your fall cravings. It’s eggless but moist and fluffy!

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This spiced apple mug cake fits everything your sweet tooth craves in a single mug! It’s super simple and comes together in just 10 minutes.
Featuring the classic fall trio of apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon, every spoonful of this soft and fluffy mug cake is nothing short of a dessert lover’s dream.
You’ll be glad your apple cinnamon mug cake is a single-serve treat because it’ll be hard to share this autumn delight. 😋
What Is Apple Mug Cake?
Apple spice mug cake is like a classic vanilla mug cake infused with fall’s sweet and warm flavors. You can also just think of it as a cinnamon apple cake in a mug.
Dig your spoon into the mug to scoop the irresistible brown sugar cinnamon apples at the bottom. Then, as you take them out, you’ll get the buttery and oh-so-fluffy cinnamon vanilla cake, giving you the perfect spoonful. 🤤
This autumn-ready dessert all fits in a mug, which makes portion control and clean-up super easy.
It’s the perfect treat for those random cravings on a cozy fall afternoon or evening!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast And Simple: In just a couple of minutes, with some basic ingredients, you can easily satisfy your cravings for something sweet with this decadent spiced apple mug cake. It’s the best fall dessert when you’re in a hurry or if the autumn weather makes you too lazy to bake a cake. 😉
- Perfect Size: Your mug is not just for coffee; it can also house an irresistibly soft and moist apple cake. Because it’s a single-serve treat, you won’t be left with a mountain of dirty dishes just to satisfy your sweet tooth. Mug cakes also make portion control easier!
- Fantastic Fall Flavors: When it comes to autumn desserts, nothing beats the flavors of apples sweetened with deep, caramel-like brown sugar and a touch of cinnamon. You can savor it all in a buttery and fluffy vanilla cake, best enjoyed warm but just as divine when cold.
What Does Spiced Apple Mug Cake Taste Like?
This apple spice mug cake is perfect for cinnamon apple lovers.
It gives the classic vanilla mug cake a fall twist not just by adding cinnamon to the rich and moist batter but also with the layer of caramelized spiced apples at the bottom.
It’s perfectly sweet and spiced, so it’s satisfying even on its own.
But if you’re going to ask me, try your spiced apple mug cake while it’s still warm from the microwave, then place a scoop (or two; this is a judgment-free zone 🤣) of vanilla ice cream on top.
Wait for the ice cream to be slightly melted, then dig in. Imagine the contrast between the cold ice cream and warm apple cinnamon mug cake…are you drooling yet?
With mug cakes, the texture is everything. And despite being a no-egg recipe, this apple mug cake still comes out perfectly soft and moist. So watch out for my bonus tips later in this read to avoid mug cakes that are gummy or dense. ✍️
Is Apple Cinnamon Mug Cake Healthy?
This apple cinnamon mug cake uses a basic cake batter, so it’s still not the healthiest dessert. However, this is a mug cake, which means it’s a single-serving treat.
Let’s face it: when we have a whole cake in front of us, it’ll be hard to control our portions. I actually remembered this random conversation with my friends where one of us exclaimed, “We’re adults now. No one will stop us if we eat an entire cake in one sitting!” 😂
You can enjoy this apple spice mug cake without feeling disappointed in yourself afterward. (Trust me, I know that sick feeling after demolishing something that’s supposed to be enjoyed in multiple portions.)
You can even make this apple mug cake recipe healthier with vegan substitutes for the butter and milk.
What Are The Benefits Of Cinnamon Apple Mug Cake?
This quick and easy apple mug cake recipe will surely earn you the bragging rights for desserts made from scratch. You don’t need to heat up a pan or oven to make the spiced apples or cinnamon vanilla cake.
Everything you want to satisfy your cravings for a fall dessert is in a mug!
Since you don’t have to bake a whole cake or pie, clean-up will be a breeze. Oh, and if you want a tip to further help you save time and effort in washing up, you can just mix the batter in the mug as well!
You don’t need to preheat the oven or wait too long to enjoy this apple cinnamon dessert. And if there’s one thing to be excited about, it’s hearing your microwave beeping to tell you your warm, decadent apple mug cake is done. 🤤
Ingredients For Apple Spice Mug Cake
- All-purpose flour – The best flour for this apple mug cake recipe is all-purpose flour. Other types of flour might lead to a bitter or overly dense mug cake because of their high protein content. We’ll also use some flour on the cinnamon apple filling.
- Baking powder – Helps the mug cake rise beautifully.
- Granulated sugar – We’ll add a bit of sugar to sweeten our apple cinnamon mug cake further.
- Ground cinnamon – Together with apples, this warm spice creates the familiar, cozy flavors we love in sweets for autumn.
- Salt – To balance the sweetness of our apple spice mug cake.
- Unsalted butter – I highly recommend using butter instead of oil to get the perfect light and fluffy texture on your apple mug cake.
- Milk – The secret to rich and moist mug cakes. You can also opt for non-dairy milk substitutes.
- Vanilla extract – Enhances the overall flavor of the spiced apple mug cake.
- Apples – We used Gala apples for this apple mug cake as it goes well with the flavors of brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Brown sugar – Apples sweetened with brown sugar and a touch of cinnamon…this dessert is literally the essence of fall in a mug!
Tools Needed To Prepare Apple Cake In A Mug
- 12-ounce microwave-safe mug for cooking the apple cake
- Mixing bowls for mixing the mug cake ingredients
- Whisk for combining the apple mug cake ingredients
- Paper towel for covering the mug
- Microwave for cooking the mug cake batter
Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For No Egg Apple Mug Cake
Cinnamon
You can add more warm spices to your apple mug cake to satisfy your cravings for a cozy autumn treat! But why buy multiple spices when you can just use apple pie spice?
Walnuts
Just because this is a recipe for a single-serve apple cake doesn’t mean we can’t make it extra special with add-ins and toppings.
You can’t go wrong with some crushed walnuts to complement the spiced apples in this fluffy treat!
Dried cranberries
This apple cinnamon mug cake is also delicious with dried fruits! Since this is a fall-ready mug cake recipe, dried cranberries will be perfect.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Mug Cake
Ingredients:
- 5 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup apples, cored, peeled, and chopped
- 1 tbsp brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 tsp all-purpose flour for the apple filling
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon for the apple filling
Tools you need:
Instructions:
STEP 1: Gather the ingredients for your apple mug cake. Your mug should have at least 12 ounces of capacity to accommodate the mug cake once it rises.
STEP 2: Combine the dry ingredients and set aside.
STEP 3: Place the butter in the mug and cover the top with a paper towel. Microwave on high for 30 seconds.
STEP 4: Pour the melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract into the flour mixture. Mix just until there are no more lumps and everything is incorporated.
STEP 5: Place the apples, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in the mug and stir to coat the apples with the other ingredients.
STEP 6: Microwave the mug on high until the apples are slightly soft. This usually takes around 45 seconds.
STEP 7: Stir the apples in the mug, then pour the cake batter on top. Do not mix.
STEP 8: Microwave your cinnamon apple mug cake on high for around 90 seconds. To know if your spiced apple mug cake is ready, insert a toothpick on top, and it should come out a bit sticky. If the batter still looks visibly wet, microwave in 5 or 10-second increments.
What To Serve With Apple Spice Mug Cake
Serve this super soft and fluffy spiced apple mug cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! This pairing is absolutely delicious, especially if your mug cake is still warm. 🤤
You can also satisfy your cravings for decadent apple desserts by having your apple spice mug cake with chocolate and creme fraiche or, for something healthier, maple Greek yogurt and almonds.
With the crisp autumn weather enticing you to just stay at home and cozy up with your favorite blanket, wouldn’t you also love to have something to sip with this easy apple mug cake?
Keep some of the apples and make our apple pie milkshake, or surprise yourself with a Starbucks copycat recipe! Our apple crisp frappuccino proves you can embrace your inner barista and make cafe-worthy drinks in your pajamas.
Tips About Making Apple Cinnamon Mug Cake
- The sweetness of Gala apples with just a hint of tartness makes them my top pick for this apple mug cake. You can also use any apple that will hold its shape well after cooking, like those in apple pies.
- Do not overmix the batter, or the apple cinnamon mug cake will be dense! Stop once there is no more visible flour. And to get the perfect texture, don’t forget to check your baking powder’s shelf life.
- This apple spice mug cake is done once the top is a bit sticky. If it’s too wet, continue cooking in 5 or 10-second increments. But if the top is dry, it’s probably overcooked in the microwave.
How To Store Apple Mug Cake
While I doubt you’ll have leftovers, here are some storage tips to keep your apple mug cake fluffy and delicious. You can also remember these for make-ahead mug cakes:
- Fridge: After cooling, wrap the spiced apple mug cake in plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge. For the best texture, enjoy it within 3 days.
- Freezer: You can also freeze your apple mug cake. Take it out of the mug and store it in a freezer-safe container for 2 to 3 months.
- Reheating: Simply thaw your frozen apple spice mug cake overnight and reheat it in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
Can You Substitute Milk for Water in a Mug Cake?
Don’t have milk but craving for a mug cake? You can substitute it with water!
In fact, most vegan apple mug cake recipes use water.
If you also want to make your mug cake dairy-free while still keeping it rich and soft, I recommend swapping whole milk with coconut milk. It also works for this apple mug cake recipe.
Speaking of dairy-free, feel free to browse our blog for delicious recipes that don’t use dairy products! You might like another fall favorite, our dairy-free pumpkin bread.
Can You Eat Mug Cakes Cold?
While I personally prefer mug cakes warm, you can definitely eat them even if they’re cold. Mug cakes typically keep well in the fridge, and they will still taste good if you’re too impatient and don’t want to warm them up in the microwave. 😉
For another refrigerated apple dessert that I’m sure you’ll love for fall, check out our apple crumble cheesecake. It combines two classic fall desserts in one!
Why Isn’t My Mug Cake Rising?
One of the most exciting things about making microwave mug cakes is seeing the batter rise into a soft, fluffy dessert.
But if your apple mug cake did not rise as expected, it might be from the baking powder.
Keep in mind that baking powder usually only has a shelf life of 6 months once opened, so using it beyond that will mean it won’t be as effective.
FAQ About Mug Cakes
Why are mug cakes so good?
Well, they’re super easy to make, but they taste great! Mug cakes are also single-serving, so they’re perfect for quickly satisfying your sweet tooth without needing to wash a ton of equipment afterward.
Why is my mug cake rock hard?
Mug cakes are supposed to be moist and fluffy, so if yours is rock hard, it’s probably overcooked. Remember that your mug cake is done once the top is slightly sticky. You don’t want it to be dry to touch.
Why does my mug cake taste bitter?
While mug cakes are easy to make, always follow the recipe to a T. For example, make sure your baking powder quantity is correct, or the mug cake might become bitter.
Why is my mug cake gummy?
It’s important to measure your flour accurately, as using less than the amount can make the mug cake gummy. Your ratios should also be correct because too much moisture in the mug cake batter can result in a gummy cake.
Apple Mug Cake
This easy apple mug cake is a quick single-serve treat made with apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon for your fall cravings. It's eggless but moist and fluffy!
Ingredients
- 5 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup apples, cored, peeled, and chopped
- 1 tbsp brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 tsp all-purpose flour for the apple filling
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon for the apple filling
Instructions
- Gather the ingredients for your apple mug cake. Your mug should have at least 12 ounces of capacity to accommodate the mug cake once it rises.
- Combine the dry ingredients and set aside.
- Place the butter in the mug and cover the top with a paper towel. Microwave on high for 30 seconds.
- Pour the melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract into the flour mixture. Mix just until there are no more lumps and everything is incorporated.
- Place the apples, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in the mug and stir to coat the apples with the other ingredients.
- Microwave the mug on high until the apples are slightly soft. This usually takes around 45 seconds.
- Stir the apples in the mug, then pour the cake batter on top. Do not mix.
- Microwave your cinnamon apple mug cake on high for around 90 seconds. To know if your spiced apple mug cake is ready, insert a toothpick on top, and it should come out a bit sticky. If the batter still looks visibly wet, microwave in 5 or 10-second increments.
Notes
- This quick apple mug cake recipe is best with apples that can hold their shape well after cooking. Pro tip: Use the apples you usually cook with when making apple pies!
- Why is my cinnamon apple mug cake so dense? Make sure not to overmix the batter (just until there is no more visible flour), and always check if your baking powder is not past its shelf life (6 months when opened.)
- The apple cinnamon mug cake is perfectly cooked once it's a bit sticky on top after a toothpick test. If it's too wet, it's undercooked, but if it's dry, the spiced apple mug cake is overcooked.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 440Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 11mgCarbohydrates: 104gFiber: 15gSugar: 75gProtein: 3g
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for the most accurate results.
Conclusion
This easy eggless apple mug cake is the fall treat you need for a quick sugar fix.
Satisfy your spiced apple cravings with this single-serving dessert that showcases the trio of fresh apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
You don’t need to wash a ton of equipment afterward, and you can easily manage your portions since the whole mug of soft, moist, fluffy heaven is just for you! 😋
So what are you waiting for? Grab a mug and make this cinnamon apple mug cake ASAP!
They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Let’s put that to the test and spend your days this cozy fall season whipping up these delicious apple treats: