Apple spice zucchini mug cake is a quick fall treat to make when your sweet tooth strikes. Filled with simple baking ingredients, plus shredded zucchini and applesauce, this fluffy mug cake is ready in only 60 seconds in the microwave.
Recipe summary
Flavor/texture: Moist, fluffy cake that's seasoned with cozy fall spices and filled with shredded zucchini and applesauce.
What is a mug cake? A single serving of cake that's cooked in a coffee mug in the microwave.
Mug size: 12 ounce coffee mug
Similar to: Chocolate Zucchini Mug Cake, Applesauce Zucchini Muffins
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Ingredients and substitutions
- Zucchini - I recommend using finely grated zucchini, which has a less noticeable texture in your finished cake. You'll also want to squeeze out as much moisture as you can from your zucchini, otherwise your cake can turn out gummy.
- Wet ingredients - Applesauce, milk, granulated sugar, and vanilla add flavor and moisture to your cake. Any milk, like whole milk, almond milk, or skim milk works in this recipe.
- Dry ingredients - All-purpose flour and baking powder add lift and structure to your mug cake. I haven't tested this recipe with anything other than all-purpose flour, so I can't say for sure how it would turn out with other types of flour.
- Spices - I added cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to my mug cake. You're welcome to use equal amounts of apple pie spice, pumpkin spice, or just cinnamon to flavor your cake.
How to make apple spice zucchini mug cake
- Squeeze the excess liquid from your shredded zucchini.
- Add to a mug with the wet ingredients and stir to combine.
- Add dry ingredients and stir to combine.
- Microwave until center looks set and springs back when gently pressed.
Variations
Mix-in ideas (add 1-2 tablespoons per mug cake):
- White chocolate chips
- Diced fresh apple
- Walnuts
- Pecans
Toppings ideas:
- Whipped cream
- Vanilla ice cream
- Caramel sauce
Frequently asked questions
A 12 ounce coffee mug works best. The tall cylindrical shape of a standard mug helps your cake rise more. This cake takes up about 8 ounces of space when cooked (and puffs up a little more in the microwave), so using a smaller mug may result in some cake batter spilling over the edges as it cooks.
Mug cake can turn out dry from overcooking, omitting some of the wet ingredients, or adding too much flour.
📖 Recipe
Apple Spice Zucchini Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons finely grated zucchini, liquid squeezed out
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch nutmeg
- pinch ginger
- pinch salt
Instructions
- In a 12 ounce coffee mug, add grated zucchini (with the liquid squeezed out first), applesauce, sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir to combine.
- Add dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Stir until just combined.
- Microwave for 50 seconds, check your cake, then continue cooking in 10 second increments until the top of the cake no longer looks wet. Cooking time depends entirely on the wattage of your microwave and will vary model to model (we used a 1000 watt microwave oven).
- Allow cake to cool for 5 minutes before enjoying - it will be very hot straight from the microwave!
Recommended Equipment
Notes
- A pinch = about 1/16 of a teaspoon
- Spices: can be substituted with apple pie spice blend or pumpkin pie blend.
- Mug size: If using a smaller mug, place a paper towel under your mug before microwaving to catch any potential batter overflow. Cake will rise while cooking, and will take up about 8 ounces of space once cooked.
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