4 Minute Coffee Cake Mug Cake

In a 16-ounce mug, soften butter. You can heat it in the microwave for 5-7 seconds if needed. Stir in sugar. Then add applesauce, self-rising flour, vanilla, and a small pinch of salt. Stir until just combined. The batter should be sticky, but not pourable.

For the streusel, combine regular flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in another small bowl. Cut in softened butter. When the mixture is the consistency of sand, sprinkle on top of cake batter. 

Microwave the mug cake for 45-75 seconds. Be careful not to over-cook the cake. We recommend microwaving it for 45 seconds, then checking the cake. It should look just set on top. If it still looks moist, microwave again, checking the cake at 10-second intervals. Once your mug cake is perfectly cooked, enjoy it while it's warm!

Note that mug cakes will not brown on top like normal cakes, but will remain white. Continuing to microwave a mug cake until it browns on the top will result in an over-cooked dessert, and no one wants that! A finished mug cake will be solid but springy to the touch. 

We recommend using self-rising flour for mug cakes, because it will yield the best and most consistent results. However, if you don't have self-rising flour, you can add 1/8 teaspoon baking powder to the dry ingredients.