• All-Purpose Flour (4 Tablespoons): This is the structural foundation of our cake. All-purpose flour provides the perfect balance of protein and starch to create a tender, yet stable, crumb that holds its shape without becoming tough.
• Granulated Sugar (2 Tablespoons): This is our primary sweetener. Beyond just adding sweetness, sugar helps to create a moist and tender texture by interacting with the flour and liquid. You can adjust the amount slightly depending on the sweetness of your apple.
• Baking Powder (¼ Teaspoon): This is the essential leavening agent. Baking powder reacts with the liquid and heat to produce carbon dioxide bubbles, which cause the cake to rise and become light and fluffy. Don’t skip this, or you’ll end up with a dense, sad puck!
• Ground Cinnamon (½ Teaspoon): The quintessential spice partner for apples. Cinnamon brings a warm, fragrant, and slightly spicy flavor that is the very essence of autumn and comfort food. A little goes a long way in transforming the flavor profile.
• A Pinch of Nutmeg: While optional, a tiny pinch of nutmeg adds a layer of aromatic complexity and warmth that beautifully complements the cinnamon and apple.
• A Pinch of Salt: Salt is a flavor enhancer. A small pinch doesn’t make the cake salty; instead, it sharpens and balances the sweetness of the sugar and the tartness of the apple, making all the other flavors pop.
• Milk (3 Tablespoons): This provides the necessary moisture to hydrate the flour and activate the baking powder. It contributes to a soft, moist crumb. You can use dairy milk or any plant-based alternative like almond, soy, or oat milk.
• Vegetable Oil (1 Tablespoon): This is the secret to a moist and tender mug cake. Oil coats the flour proteins, preventing them from developing too much gluten, which is what can make a microwave cake rubbery. It ensures a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Melted butter can also be used for a richer flavor.
• Vanilla Extract (¼ Teaspoon): Vanilla adds a beautiful background note of flavor and aroma, enhancing the sweetness and rounding out the overall taste of the cake.
• Apple (¼ cup, finely diced): The star of the show! A small amount of a crisp, flavorful apple, diced finely, is all you need. The small pieces will soften perfectly in the microwave, releasing their sweet-tart juice into the cake batter.
