Satisfy your craving with these quick microwave desserts.
You might not think this kitchen appliance would work for baked goods, but it actually makes airy cakes and fudgy brownies in a matter of minutes.
Even if microwave chocolate lava cakes have been around for a long time, there are other recipes that you might want to try. You can make cookies, cakes, lemon bars, and even apple crisp in the microwave.
What’s more, for most of these recipes, you simply toss some ingredients in a mug and zap them. Then, grab a spoon and dig in.
These desserts are a perfect option if you’re by yourself and don’t want to make a whole cake. Or, it’s the middle of the night and you’re craving something sweet but the store is closed.
Quick Microwave Mug Cakes & Desserts
01. Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake
The smell of this cinnamon roll mug cake takes me back to mall trips as a teenager. But now I can make this delicious dessert in my own kitchen.
For a quick frosting, mix together cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a little milk.
You can also make this mug cake recipe vegan and/or gluten-free, so pass it around to all of your friends.
02. Chocolate Mug Cake
Chocolate mug cakes are classic microwave desserts. And it’s the first kind I ever made.
This fudgy cake comes together in just one minute, and it’s done completely in 3.
For a gooey center, fold in chocolate chips or chopped chocolate. Or even add a dollop of chocolate spread to the middle of the batter.
03. Snickerdoodle Mug Cake
Layers of cinnamon sugar make this microwave mug cake a decadent treat. It tastes just like a snickerdoodle cookie, but it has the soft, airy texture of a cake.
For a different spin, try other spices, such as cardamom powder or pumpkin pie spice.
You can also easily veganize this recipe. Just swap dairy milk and melted butter for nut milk and coconut oil.
04. Banana Mug Cake
Do you have a banana that’s too ripe to eat? Make a cake.
This banana mug cake recipe uses regular pantry ingredients like flour, sugar, and baking powder to make a fluffy base. Then, add the gooey glaze on top.
Watch the glaze carefully as it cooks because it can easily bubble over.
You’re eating fruit, so this is healthy, right? Enjoy.
05. One Minute S’mores Dip
You don’t need to make a campfire to enjoy s’mores. This sweet mug dip is the perfect microwave dessert when you want to stay in but dream of sleeping under the stars.
Smoked salt will give you a little more of that roasted flavor, but it’s not necessary. Or, before you add the marshmallows to the mug, you can also try burning the outsides over a gas stove, under the broiler, or with a kitchen torch.
06. Fudgy Nutella Mug Cake
This delightful chocolate cake gets an extra hit of flavor from chocolate-hazelnut spread. And the coconut flour makes it a little nutty as well.
Also, add chocolate chips to the batter or spread more Nutella on top for an extra decadent dessert.
07. Chocolate Lava Cake
For a microwave chocolate cake with a hidden surprise, add a truffle. It’s an easy way to make a delicious lava cake.
Also, you can experiment with different truffles. Caramels, mint creams, or cherry liqueurs will give you a different pop of flavor.
These mug cakes make tasty treats for small parties like sleepovers because they’re perfectly portioned. And they’re extra tasty with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
08. Caramel Apple Mug Cake
Add this mug cake to your list of top autumn recipes. It’s an easy and delicious way to celebrate fall apples.
Here’s a tip: if you make your own applesauce or use apple butter, you’ll get a stronger apple flavor. Also, swapping brown sugar for white will give you a hint of caramel.
09. Fudge
This is one of my favorite desserts because it only takes 2 cupboard ingredients, and guests always love it.
It’s similar to fantasy fudge, but it’s even easier. Plus, you can mix in your favorite ingredients for a different dessert every time.
Just melt chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in the microwave. Then, refrigerate the mixture and enjoy.
Try additions such as chopped walnuts or peppermint extract. Or make peanut butter fudge with a tablespoon or two out of the jar.
10. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Mug Cake
Don’t go to the store for candy when you can make this mug cake. It’s full of chocolate and delicious peanut butter flavor, and it only takes 5 minutes.
It’s so much better than a peanut butter cup.
If you want a gooey chocolate center, make sure you divide the chocolate as the recipe directs. Your cake will still be delicious if you mix it in evenly, but it won’t mimic a lava cake.
11. Funfetti Mug Cake
I’m a sucker for rainbows, so this little mug cake cheers me right up. It’s a simple cake flavored with vanilla extract, but the sprinkles make it special.
You could also make a lemon mug cake from this recipe by adding a pinch of lemon zest. Or add a drop of almond extract for a different flavor.
12. Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug
You don’t need to turn on the oven for a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie. Just toss some ingredients in a mug and throw it all in the microwave. Voila.
With this recipe, don’t add too much baking soda because it can make the cookie taste metallic. Just a small pinch will do.
13. Nutella Banana Mug Cake
It’s good that this dessert fits in a mug. Because if I baked a big version, I’d eat the entire cake.
Bananas and Nutella are a match made in heaven. And this recipe makes enough for two mugs, so you can share it with your perfect match.
If you can’t get enough chocolate, add chocolate chips to the batter or top the cake with more Nutella. Or both.
14. Mug Blondie
If you’re not a fan of chocolate but you still want something sweet, try this easy recipe for a caramel blondie.
The caramel candies and white chocolate chips go gooey in the microwave, making this a sinfully-good dessert. Of course, topping it with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce makes it out of this world.
15. Apple Crisp
Cinnamon apples are an autumn staple, so take advantage of the fall harvest with this dessert. It’s one of the most delicious apple recipes ever made in a microwave.
Also, you can use coconut or vegetable oil instead of butter to make this a dairy-free dessert.
16. Mug Brownie
When you need a quick brownie fix, this recipe does the trick.
It makes a lot, so it’s perfect for sharing. But it can be a single-serve dessert if you have a big appetite.
Also, swap caramel or other flavored chips for the chocolate ones to get a different experience.
17. Caramel Macchiato Mug Cake
Make your morning coffee into an after-dinner treat with this caramel macchiato mug cake. It’s almost as fluffy as the frothed milk on your latte.
If you’re eating this right before bed and are sensitive to caffeine, use decaf coffee granules. Otherwise, you might be up all night.
18. Peach Cobbler
For a light and refreshing summer dessert, make peach cobbler. But this fuss-free recipe means you don’t have to deal with your oven and washing lots of dishes.
This is a super easy dessert that uses frozen peaches. But if you can take advantage of fresh summer peaches, you’ll get an even stronger fruit flavor.
19. Lemon Bars
What? You can make lemon bars in the microwave?.
Yes. This amazing dessert has a crust and filling just like traditional bars. But you only cook it for about 6 minutes total.
Plus, this is a great sharing recipe, unlike most microwave desserts. You’ll get 25 bars out of it.
20. Caramels
These caramels are incredibly easy, and you don’t have to worry about using a candy thermometer. Simply melt white chocolate and dulce de leche together with vanilla, and let the mixture cool.
This is an easy dinner party dessert or treat in a child’s lunchbox. Or top some with flaked salt, tie them up with a ribbon, and give them as holiday gifts.
21. Berry Dark Chocolate Mug Cake
What makes a dark chocolate cake even more scrumptious? Mixed berry sauce.
When you dip your spoon down to the bottom of the cake, you get a delightful tart-sweet surprise.
If you don’t have any frozen berries, you can warm some strawberry jam in the bottom of the mug. But it will be much sweeter than this berry sauce.
22. Keto Mug Cheesecake
Microwave desserts can fit any diet. This one, for example, is the perfect keto cheesecake.
You can sweeten the cream cheese base with your favorite sweetener. Then, you flavor it with vanilla and lemon.
If you like nuts, you can add the easy crust. It’s made with almond flour for a little crunch and nuttiness.
23. Pumpkin Mug Cake
When Halloween rolls around, try this delicious pumpkin cake. It’s also a great use for extra canned pumpkin since you only need 1/4 cup.
You can use all-purpose flour, or substitute oat or spelt flour for a gluten-free version. You can also make this cake fat-free by using extra pumpkin instead of oil or butter.
24. Lemon Blueberry Mug Cake
Among all of these delicious recipes, my favorite breakfast option is this lemon blueberry cake. It tastes like cake, but it’s still really healthy.
If you want to make this for dessert, however, you could add a drizzle of lemon glaze as a special treat.
25. Oreo Cookie Mug Cake
Can’t decide between cake and cookies? Then make this delicious treat that combines them both.
This is a basic vanilla cake with crushed oreo cookies in the batter. If you want to amp up the chocolate, you could add a bit of cocoa powder to the batter or toss in a tablespoon of chocolate chips.
And, you can always drizzle chocolate sauce on top.
26. Coffee Mug Cake
For an afternoon snack, try this single-serving dessert: coffee cake in a mug. It pairs well with a cup of tea or coffee — plus a good book.
You can adjust this recipe for most diets, including vegan, gluten-free, and keto. And you can add raisins or nuts if you like more texture in your coffee cake.
27. Carrot Cake
A whole cake in the microwave? Yes, it’s possible.
This carrot cake serves 8-10 people, and it’s done in under 40 minutes. Perfect for a last-minute party.
For decorating, you can tint some frosting orange and green. Then, with a piping bag (or plastic bag with one corner snipped off), pipe little carrots around the top.
Also, make sure that you use silicone cake molds that are microwave-safe. You don’t want any accidents.
27 Quick Microwave Desserts
Ingredients
- Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake
- Chocolate Mug Cake
- Snickerdoodle Mug Cake
- Banana Mug Cake
- One Minute S’mores Dip
- Fudgy Nutella Mug Cake
- Microwave Chocolate Lava Cake
- Caramel Apple Mug Cake
- Fudge
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Mug Cake
- Funfetti Mug Cake
- Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug
- Nutella Banana Mug Cake
- Mug Blondie
- Apple Crisp
- Mug Brownie
- Caramel Macchiato Mug Cake
- Peach Cobbler
- Lemon Bars
- Caramels
- Berry Dark Chocolate Mug Cake
- Keto Mug Cheesecake
- Pumpkin Mug Cake
- Lemon Blueberry Mug Cake
- Oreo Cookie Mug Cake
- Coffee Mug Cake
- Carrot Cake
Directions
- Pick a recipe and a mug.
- Mix your ingredients.
- Zap everything in the microwave.
- Grab a spoon and enjoy.