3-Min Applesauce Coffee Cake For One

Single serve coffee cake on a plate with ice cream on top.

5 from 1 vote

Craving something sweet and comforting? Stir a few simple ingredients in a mug or ramekin, microwave for one minute, and voilà - a warm applesauce coffee cake for one. Keep it light or make it decadent. Either way, craving solved.

Prep Time2

Cook Time1

Total Time3

Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings (change as needed):

Author: Cheryl Avrich

Ingredients

Batter

3 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon sweetened or unsweetened apple sauce
1 tablespoon yogurt or sour cream
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons chocolate chips or crushed nuts (pecan or walnuts)
pinch of salt and ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Streusel Topping (OPTIONAL) - Note 1

1 teaspoon butter
2 teaspoons flour
2 teaspoons brown or white sugar
pinch of cinnamon

Instructions

PREPARE BATTER: Spray 10-12 ounce microwave-safe mug or ramekin with oil (you only need to do this if you want to take cake out of mug after cooking - I don't bother). Add all batter dry ingredients and wet ingredients to the mug. Stir just until combined. Don't overmix.
If making optional streusel topping, combine streusel ingredients with a fork in a small bowl. Sprinkle on top of batter.
MICROWAVE AND SERVE: Microwave cake for 1 minute. Taller, narrower mugs may need a few extra seconds cooking time, while wider, shallower ramekins may have a shorter cook time. Check if it's ready. It should be soft and springy on top of the cake, and toothpick comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If not quite done, add another 10 seconds at a time until done.
SERVE: I eat it right out of the mug with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or Greek yogurt. If you want to remove the cake from the mug, slide a knife around the sides and scoop it out with a spoon.

Notes

Streusel topping options: I don't add the streusel topping because I find the coffee cake with chocolate chips and a scoop of ice cream is rich enough. To alter the streusel topping, you can omit the butter or use a teaspoon of oil instead. You can also just sprinkle crushed nuts on top of the batter with a pinch of cinnamon and a pinch of sugar.
Nutrition info for two versions
- Decadent version (includes Greek yogurt, chocolate chips, 1 Tbsp oil, and streusel topping): 275 calories, 4 g protein, 49 g carbs, 4.0 g sat fat.
- Lighter version (no yogurt, no chocolate chips, ½ Tbsp oil, no streusel): 136 calories, 2 g protein, 31 g carbs, 0.03 g sat fat.
Substitutions and Variations
- Flour: Use 1 tablespoon whole wheat or almond flour, but note that the cake will be a little bit denser.
- Brown sugar: Use white sugar instead.
- Applesauce: Replace with mashed banana or pumpkin purée (taste will change a little)
- Cinnamon: Try pumpkin spice, allspice, apple pie spice or cardamon instead.
- Chocolate chips: Use chopped toasted nuts (pecans, walnuts), dried cranberries, raisins, shredded coconut, or white chocolate chips.
To make 2 single serve coffee cakes at the same time: Increase the microwave time. Start with 90 seconds, then add if necessary, 10-15 seconds extra in bursts.
To bake instead of microwave: Bake in oven-safe ramekin or cup at 350°F (177°C) for about 12–13 minutes.
Make ahead: This dessert is best made fresh. Luckily, it only takes a few minutes.

Nutrition values are estimated and include all coffee cake ingredients in the recipe except the optional streusel topping. See Note 2 above for the decadent version which includes the streusel topping.