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As the crisp autumn air descends and leaves begin to paint the world in shades of red and gold, our taste buds yearn for the comforting flavors that define the season. There’s something about the combination of spices, warmth, and a touch of sweetness that makes autumn cuisine truly magical. In the world of fall-inspired desserts, the humble pumpkin takes center stage in this magical pumpkin mug cake. And what better way to celebrate the essence of this season than with a delightful mug cake recipe?

This single-serving dessert is not only incredibly easy to make but also captures the essence of a pumpkin pie in a matter of minutes. Join us in this article as we guide you through a simple yet indulgent recipe that will fill your kitchen with the aroma of spices and the spirit of autumn, all in the form of a cozy, microwaveable mug cake recipe.

Pumpkin Mug Cake

I am a lover of cake! There is something about enjoying a moist piece of cake after the kids go to bed while I am winding down for the evening. Some of my favorites are Shirley Temple Poke Cake and Apple Toffee Dump Cake. 

Recently I discovered a new love of mug cakes. Mug cakes are basically a single serving cake cooked in the microwave in just a few minutes. They require very little prep work, have 1 dish to clean up, and is perfect when you are craving a nice warm piece of cake. 

This pumpkin mug cake combines my love of pumpkin and cake into a single serving pumpkin-flavored moist treat that I can enjoy any day of the week without the mess of making a full-size cake.  

How to make Pumpkin Mug Cake

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves)
• 3 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree
• 2 tablespoons milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional toppings: whipped cream, chopped nuts, a sprinkle of cinnamon

Directions:

• Choose a microwave-safe mug with a capacity of at least 10 ounces to prevent overflow. Lightly grease the inside of the mug with a bit of oil or cooking spray.
• In the mug, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and pumpkin pie spice until well combined.

• Add the canned pumpkin puree, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the mug. Mix everything together until you have a smooth batter.

• Place the mug in the microwave and cook on high for about 1 minute and 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Cooking time may vary depending on your microwave’s power, so keep an eye on the cake. The cake should rise and firm up.

• To check if the mug cake is done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the cake is ready. If not, microwave in 15-second intervals until done.
• Carefully remove the mug from the microwave (it will be hot). Allow the cake to cool for a minute or two before adding optional toppings like whipped cream, chopped nuts, or a sprinkle of cinnamon. all of the ingredients into a (microwavable) mug.

Tips Tricks and FAQs

• If you don’t have pumpkin spice on hand you can easily create your own by combining cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger to create a pumpkin spice variation. 
• Throw some mini chocolate chips into your cake batter for a pumpkin chocolate chip mug cake. 
• If you are worried about your cake sticking to your mug, spray it lightly with cooking spray before mixing the batter. 
• If you are a lover of ice cream, omit your whipped cream and add a small scoop of vanilla ice cream or egg nog ice cream to the top. 
• Although I love our homemade Instant Pot Pumpkin Puree, with this recipe you might want to use the store-bought version because it is smoother and creamier. This makes a big difference in mug cakes because of limited mixing. 

Can I make my own Pumpkin Pie Spice?

Yes, you sure can. I have a really great and simple recipe to make pumpkin pie spice yourself. Sometimes it can be hard to find in the supermarket and it is much less expensive to make it yourself.

Can I eat my mug cake right away?

The great thing about mug cakes is that they are ready in 2 minutes! You will still want to let it cool for up to 5 minutes prior to enjoying it. 

Can I cook these in the oven?

Single-serve dishes are a huge hit, especially with kids! If you are making these for a crowd you can cook them in the oven. Just mix them in oven-safe ramekin dishes and place them in the oven to cook. The 3.5-inch ones work best. Cook for about 25 minutes at 350 degrees. 

The Secrets to the Perfect Mug Cake

Mug cakes are easy to make and so much easier to clean up, but if you are new to making mug cakes you might want a few helpful tips to make sure it comes out just right!

• When making a mug cake you want to make sure you mix the ingredients really well. You don’t want to overmix, but you want to make sure you get in all the crevices of the mug to ensure it is all mixed together. 
• 2 minutes is usually the perfect amount of time for mug cakes, but you will want to check it and make sure if it is done. If it needs to cook longer do this in 10-second increments to prevent overcooking your cake. Overcooking will result in a dry rubbery cake. 

Love Pumpkin? Try these recipes!

• S’mores Mug Cake
• Easy And Delicious Pumpkin Recipes
• Pumpkin Bread
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
• Air Fryer Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

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