apple spice cake in a mug with ice cream

Hi there! My name is Jessica and I blog at Jessica in the Kitchen, a vegan recipe blog with hundreds of simple, delicious recipes. I’m so excited to be guest writing on Lulus! Before our big one-month trip to South East Asia last year, I actually did a huge haul from Lulus. Almost everything I wore there was from Lulus and I got endless questions about my outfits. So it feels very full circle to be sharing this easy mug cake recipe now as I reminisce about those fun days, digging into a bite (okay, several bites) of this apple spice confection. It fits right into my ideal fall vibe. Whenever I think of fall, I think cozy, warm, inviting, and best of all: desserts! I love snuggling up with a warm dessert, and this Apple Spice Mug Cake is 100% my pick of the season.

easy mug cake recipe with ice cream

Speaking of which, if you’ve never had a mug cake, you may be wondering–what is a mug cake?

easy mug cake recipe with apples

A mug cake is exactly what it sounds like: a single-serving cake usually whipped up in a mug and cooked quickly in it, too. It typically takes about one to two minutes to make, and the result is a fully cooked, delicious mini cake. My favorite part about this Apple Spice Mug Cake is that it’s moist yet fluffy, and filled with flavor. This cake has such a delicious cinnamon hint, not to mention bites of soft, sweet apples!

apple spice cake in a mug

My biggest tip when making this mug cake is to slightly cook the apples first in the same mug. That way, you don’t get any weird bites of crunchy apple in between soft, fluffy bites of cake. You just get tender, near-caramelized bits, allowing you to enjoy the entire dessert. The point of this mug cake recipe is to be easy and quick. If you’re feeling a little extra, though, you can even sauté down the apples first in a pan with a little bit of vegan butter and brown sugar (or any of your favorite sugars).

spoon in an apple spice mug cake

I do hope you enjoy this apple spice cake! It tastes incredible with a dollop of coconut whipped cream, vegan ice cream, or even a streusel or crumble topping. Scroll on for the full recipe–enjoy and happy cozy season!

Did you try this recipe? Show us your mug cakes on Instagram @Lulus using #lovelulus–and score more delish seasonal picks from our fall essentials shop!

Recipe and photos by Jessica Hylton Leckie. This post was originally published in October 2020.

Jessica Hylton Leckie is the founder and CEO of Jessica in the Kitchen, an award-winning vegan food blog, where amongst recipes, she also shares guides, travel and wellness posts. She is also a food photographer and a videographer. She’s been a speaker at over a dozen conferences on the topics of young entrepreneurship, photography, food, and wellness. Jessica’s work has been featured in numerous publications including the Washington Post, ESSENCE magazine, The Huffington Post, The Country Living, SELF magazine, Buzzfeed and many more. You can find more recipes on jessicainthekitchen.com.

  • PREP TIME: 5 MINS
  • SERVES: 1
  • apple spice cake
  • mug cakes recipes
  • fall desserts
  • easy mug cake recipe

Ingredients

  • Sautéed apples
  • 1/2 tablespoons water
  • ¼ cup finely chopped apples
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • Pinch cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 4 tablespoons flour
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract optional

Directions

Step 1:

In a mug, add the chopped apples, ½ tablespoon water,  the ½ teaspoon sugar, and pinch cinnamon. Stir together, and microwave for 30 seconds.

Step 2:

Remove from microwave and add in the oil, milk, and sugar on top of the apple mix. Whisk together for about 15 seconds.

Step 3:

Add in the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, sea salt, and (optional) vanilla extract. Stir to combine for about 30 more seconds to ensure it’s all incorporated, ensuring you get the bottoms too.

Step 4:

Place in your microwave for 80 seconds. It’s okay if it’s slightly undercooked on top because it’ll continue to cook while it cools. It’s better for it to be slightly undercooked than overcooked. Remove and let cool for about 5 minutes. Trust me–that way, the apples also cool down a bit.

Step 5:

If making in your oven, preheat oven to 350°F/180°C and bake in about a 3.5-inch ramekin (ensure it’s oven safe) for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove and allow to cool for about 3 to 5 minutes. Enjoy!