Easy Honeycrisp Apple Mug Cake

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Easy honeycrisp apple mug cake is filled with warm spices and fall flavors. Made with white whole wheat flour for extra fiber and nutrients and a little maple syrup, it’s a healthy take on cake and made just for one. This vegan apple mug cake takes only a few minutes to make. A warm, fruity mug cake is just right for an afternoon snack or dessert on a chilly fall day!

Honeycrisp apple mug cake with apple and cinnamon sticks

Why This Recipe Works

This healthy mug cake is rich with spice from cinnamon and cloves. The applesauce and chopped apples add plenty of flavor and moisture without a lot of added fat. It is also a nice size: not too big.

Ingredients Needed

  • Nonstick spray – this helps the cake not stick to the mug. If you don’t have any, wipe a little olive oil around the inside of it with a paper towel instead.
  • White whole wheat flour – I prefer this type of whole wheat flour as it has a lighter texture and color than whole wheat flour. This recipe call for 3 tablespoons: be sure not to pack the flour into the measuring spoon tightly, or the mug cake could come out a little dense.
  • Ground flaxseed – ground flaxseed helps the cake hold together and works well in some baked recipes as a substitute for egg.
  • Cinnamon – this goes very well with the apples for a spiced flavor. You could also use pumpkin pie or apple pie spice.
  • Baking powder – just a small amount helps the mug cake rise. I prefer aluminum-free baking powder.
  • Ground cloves – these add to the flavor depth, deeper color, and warmth of the mug cake.
  • Oat milk – use this or the plant-based milk of your choice. I have made the recipe with vanilla low-sugar oat milk and vanilla almond milk with success.
  • Water – this provides enough moisture for the ground flaxseeds to work.
  • Natural applesauce – use applesauce without added sugar if possible. Here’s my recipe for homemade honeycrisp applesauce made in a slow cooker.
  • Light olive oil – this is important for the texture of the mug cake. While I have tried just 1 teaspoon for less fat and calories, I think it is better with 2 teaspoons.
  • Maple syrup – this recipe uses 2 teaspoons of maple syrup, as compared to a typical mug cake recipe which may use 2 or more tablespoons of added sugar!
  • Honeycrisp apple – Peel and chop the quarter of an apple into pieces of about 1 centimeter to 1 half of an inch so they will cook quickly. Other types of apples that are good for baking include Granny Smith, Galas, Empire, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Jonathans, Cosmic crisp, or Fuji apples. See this chart from the Wisconsin State University Cooperative Extension for more varieties of apples best for cooking.

How to Make Honeycrisp Apple Mug Cake

  • Spray the inside of a large microwave-safe mug lightly with nonstick spray.
  • Add the white whole wheat flour, ground flaxseed, cinnamon, baking powder, and ground cloves.
dry ingredients in mug for apple cake
  • Mix these together well with a small whisk or a fork.
  • Next, add the oat milk, water, applesauce, olive oil, and maple syrup. Mix these just barely with a tablespoon until all of the dry ingredients are incorporated into the batter.
stirring the batter for honeycrisp apple mug cake
  • Set aside a tablespoon of the chopped apple pieces. Mix the rest of it into the cake batter. Top with the remaining apple pieces.
  • Cook for about 90 seconds. Remove the mug from the microwave with a potholder. Let the cake cool for a few minutes before tasting it.

Ideas for Add-ins

Try adding in one or more of these tasty additions:

  • Toasted, chopped walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts
  • Raisins
  • Dried cranberries
  • A drizzle of melted peanut or almond butter
  • Vegan caramel sauce
  • Whipped coconut cream
  • Vegan vanilla ice cream

Gluten-Free Apple Mug Cake Version

Substitute 1:1 baking mix for the white whole wheat flour. Make sure that the ground flaxseeds you are using are marked gluten-free (in case of any cross-contamination in the factory). This version is tasty and has a fudgier texture like a brownie, instead of the more cake-like texture of the original recipe.

More Recipes You May Enjoy

Honeycrisp apple mug cake with apple and cinnamon sticks

Easy Honeycrisp Apple Mug Cake

Melissa Altman-Traub MS, RDN, LDN
This mug of goodness with warm spices and fall flavors will be your new favorite dessert! It takes only a few minutes to make and is a healhy indulgence.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 4 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 277 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large mug
  • 1 small whisk

Ingredients
  

  • nonstick spray
  • 3 tablespoons white whole wheat flour
  • 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 tablespoons oat milk
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons natural applesauce
  • 2 teaspoons light olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup
  • ¼ honeycrisp apple, peeled, chopped fine, and divided

Instructions
 

  • Spray the inside of a large microwave-safe mug lightly with nonstick spray.
  • Add the white whole wheat flour, ground flaxseed, cinnamon, baking powder, and ground cloves. Mix these together well with a small whisk or a fork.
  • Next, add the oat milk, water, applesauce, olive oil, and maple syrup. Mix these just barely with a tablespoon until all of the dry ingredients are incorporated into the batter.
  • Set aside a tablespoon of the chopped apple pieces. Mix the rest of it into the cake batter. Top with the remaining apple pieces.
  • Cook for about 90 seconds. Remove the mug from the microwave with a potholder. Let the cake cool for a few minutes before tasting it.

Notes

The nutrition estimate is from Spoonacular, which is based mainly on USDA data.
Gluten-free version: substitute 1:1 baking mix for the white whole wheat flour. Make sure that the ground flaxseeds you are using are labeled gluten-free.

Nutrition

Calories: 277kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 5gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 127mgPotassium: 206mgFiber: 6gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 98IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 166mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Applesauce, Cake, Honeycrisp, Mug Cake, Vegan
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