3 Minute Apple Mug Cake
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This apple mug cake is a tender, soft, raw apple cake richly seasoned with cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s ready in 3 minutes or less and is cozy, delicious, and oh-so-perfect for chilly days!

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What I Love About an Apple Mug Cake
Do you know those days when you crave something sweet, seasonal, and delicious? Days when you also want to curl up in your favorite chair, maybe sit by the fire, and read the novel you can’t quite put down or that movie that’s been on your list ever so long? Yep. Those days are made for mug cakes.
When apple pie is on your mind, or your favorite raw apple cake, but an hour in the oven just isn’t going to suit. Or when friends and family are occupied, and you want a quick and warm treat in minutes, it’s time for an apple mug cake.
- It’s quick (like 3 minutes or less)
- Delicious with warm spices
- Fresh apples combined with a soft, delicious cake for one (or two)!
If you love mug cakes, our readers are huge fans of our carrot cake in a mug, especially in the spring but also in the fall with its warm flavors. Speaking of fall, the gingerbread mug cake is also out-of-this-world delicious!

Apple Mug Cake Ingredients
Mug cake ingredients are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here is a quick list of what you need:
- Butter (salted or unsalted) and melted
- Brown Sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Seasonings: Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt
- Small apple, finely chopped
How to Make an Apple Mug Cake
The recipe card below has full instructions, but here is an overview of making this easy mug cake!
Combine the melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla, milk, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir or whisk to combine the ingredients until smooth. Fold in the chopped apples.

Microwave the mug cake for 1 to 1½ minutes. In my microwave, it’s best at 1 minute 15 seconds. Begin checking at 1 minute. The cake should look set, but be careful not to over-microwave. Let is cool before enjoying!

Topping Ideas
For me, vanilla ice cream is the perfect topping for many mug cakes. I love the way it melts down into the tender crumb of the cake, fills in all the crevices, and gives a wonderful balance of cool and warm.

I topped this apple mug cake with vanilla ice cream, a ready-made caramel sauce drizzle, and a pinch of coarse sea salt. However, you don’t need to go to that fuss unless you have it on hand. Simply dust powdered sugar and whipped topping, or leave it plain. The cake is delicious all on its own.

More Mug Cake Recipes to Try
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3 Minute Apple Mug Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch nutmeg
- 1/2 small apple finely chopped
Instructions
- In a small bowl or inside the mug, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla, milk, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir or whisk to combine the ingredients until smooth. Fold in the chopped apples.
- Microwave the mug cake for 1 to 1½ minutes. In my microwave, it's best at 1 minute 15 seconds. Begin checking at 1 minute. The cake should look set, but be careful not to over-microwave.
- Let cool before topping with whipped cream or ice cream, caramel sauce, or dust with powdered sugar.
Notes
Topping Ideas
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Ready-made Caramel Sauce
- Powdered Sugar
- Whipping Cream
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
cam you make this in a conventional oven?
Hi Mark– I haven’t tested this mug cake in the oven but I’m fairly certain it would work. I would preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180c) and use oven safe mugs. I’m not certain on the baking time but would plan on about 20 minutes, but begin checking it a few minutes before. If you try it, I would love to hear how it turned out!
What an easy, delicious treat. Thanks!
You are so welcome!