Applesauce Mug Cake with Salted Caramel Sauce

It has been scorching hot in Missouri this week - triple digit scorching hot!

Summer heat removes my desire to bake, but not my desire for dessert.

My solution? A single serving, microwave mug cake!

Last night I whipped up two, applesauce mug cakes with salted caramel sauce for Bill and I. 
We loved them. The cake was moist, the crumb topping was gooey rather than crunchy, and the whipped topping with salted caramel sauce complemented the apple and cinnamon flavor perfectly. 
We are lovin' our mugs of microwaved homemade happiness!

Ingredients For One Mug Cake                      Total Time - About 10 minutes

• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 heaping tablespoon brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon applesauce
• ½ tablespoon vegetable oil
• ½ tablespoon milk
• ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract

     Crumb Topping Ingredients

• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 tbsp brown sugar

Instructions 
Note: The cooking time is for a 900 watt microwave.

• Put the dry ingredients into a 6-12 ounce, microwaveable mug or dish. '

I have used a 12 oz. mug and a 6 oz. souffle dish with this recipe; both cakes turned out perfectly.

• Blend the dry ingredients until all of the ingredients are completely combined. I used a teaspoon.
  
• Add applesauce, veg oil, milk, and vanilla extract.
• Stir until just combined and wet - be careful to not over mix.
  
• Place the crumb topping ingredients into a small bowl.
  
• Using a fork, blend the topping ingredients until pea size crumbs form.
• Put the crumb topping on top of the cake batter.
  
• Microwave on high for about 60 seconds - Remember, in microwave cooking the ingredients will continue to cook. 

  

  Dish on left after 60 seconds in the microwave.
  Dish on the right after cooling one minute

• Remove the mug cake from the microwave and cool for about five minutes Warning - the bottom of the mug is VERY hot. Be careful.
• Place a dollop of whipped topping, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream on top of the mug cake. 
  
• Then, drizzle the topping with store bought caramel sauce and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt. I used fine sea salt and loved it!

Enjoy your mug of homemade happiness!