Apple Crumble in a Mug
A quick-fix, single-serving apple dessert combining tender microwave-cooked cinnamon-spiced apples with a crunchy butter-oat topping. Perfect for urgent dessert cravings with minimal effort and maximum comfort.
Ingredients
- 1 medium apple Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best, peeled and diced into small cubes
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cold butter diced
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the apple filling: In your microwave-safe mug, combine the diced apple, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Stir well to coat all apple pieces evenly with the sugar and spices.
- Microwave the filling: Cover the mug with a paper towel and microwave on high for 1 minute. This partially cooks the apples and helps them release their juices.
- Make the crumble topping: In a separate small bowl, mix together the flour, oats, granulated sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter pieces and use a fork to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the topping: Remove the mug from the microwave and stir the apple mixture. Then sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples, pressing down very lightly.
- Final cooking: Microwave uncovered for an additional 1-2 minutes until the topping looks set and the apple filling is bubbling at the edges. Microwaves vary in power, so start with 1 minute and check before adding more time.
- Cool slightly: Allow the crumble to cool for 1-2 minutes—the mug and contents will be extremely hot, and the filling will thicken slightly as it cools.
- Serve: Top with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream if desired, and enjoy while still warm!
Notes
- The key to good texture is cutting the apples into small, even cubes (about ¼ inch) so they cook quickly and evenly.
- If your microwave tends to run hot, try using 70-80% power to prevent the filling from bubbling over.
- For extra crunch in the topping, you can add a tablespoon of chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans.
- The crumble won’t get as crispy as an oven-baked version, but it will still have a nice textural contrast to the soft apples.
- This recipe can be prepared ahead of time up to the final cooking step—perfect for when you want a quick dessert after dinner.