As the days are getting shorter and the air is getting chillier, we are slowly entering into a season of sweaters, hot chocolate, and warm, comforting meals – not to mention, the start of the inevitable baking season. Anybody who’s baked before, however, knows that baking takes time – and patience – and, let’s be honest, these are two things that us college students tend to be lacking in. Therefore, this edition will put a spin on some classic and unique recipes, offering desserts that don’t come out of the oven, but out of your (dorm) microwave – meaning you can tame your sweet tooth with a home-made, single-serving dessert in just a matter of minutes! Enjoy!

1. When you’re craving something chocolaty: The Moistest Chocolate Mug Cake

Ingredients:

¼ cup all-purpose flour

2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

¼ tsp. baking powder

2 tbsp. granulated sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

¼ cup + 1 tbsp. milk

2 tbsp. vegetable oil

1 tbsp. hazelnut chocolate spread

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.

2. Whisk in the milk and vegetable oil until all ingredients are combined and batter has no clumps.

3. Pour batter into a microwave-safe mug. Mine was a 14-ounce mug. You want enough head space for the cake to rise without pouring over.

4. Add 1 tbsp. of hazelnut chocolate spread in the middle of the batter. Just drop it in the middle, no need to push it down and sink it in the batter.

5. Place a paper towel into the microwave and set the mug on top (this is to catch any batter if you mug cake overflows.)

6. Microwave mug cake for 70 seconds on high.

7. Carefully remove from microwave and enjoy!

2. When you’re craving something seasonal: Pumpkin Spice Mug Cake

Ingredients:

4 tbsp. all-purpose flour

¼ tsp. baking powder

2 tbsp. granulated sugar

2 tbsp. fat free milk

½ tsp. vegetable oil

2 tbsp. pumpkin puree

1/8 tsp. each ground cinnamon and nutmeg

1/16 tsp. each ground ginger and clove

1. Combine all ingredients into an oversized microwave-safe mug. Mix ingredients with a small whisk until batter is smooth.

2. Cook in microwave for approximately 1 minute and 15 seconds. Cake is best consumed within a few hours of it being cooked.

3. For those days you don’t feel like leaving your dorm to have breakfast: Single-Serve Mug Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

1 ½ tbsp. sugar (1 tbsp. + 1 ½ tsp.)

2 ½ tbsp. flour (2 tbsp. + 1 ½ tsp.)

Pinch of salt

¼ tsp. baking powder

1 tbsp. vegetable oil or non-fat Greek yogurt

1 tbsp. unsweetened almond milk or nonfat milk

Splash of vanilla

1 tbsp. brown sugar

¼ tsp. cinnamon

1. Stir sugar, flour, salt, and baking powder in a small bowl. Add oil, milk, and vanilla and stir until combined. Pour into a coffee mug that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon on top.

2. Microwave for 45 seconds (my microwave is 1100 watts – if yours is less you may need to microwave it longer, do so in 15 second increments).

3. Enjoy warm!