25 Easy Microwave Desserts for Late-Night Cravings

When your sweet-tooth strikes and patience is not on the menu, these microwave desserts come to rescue. Most take under 5 minutes from start to finish and use ingredients you probably already have. These recipes are perfect for single servings so you won’t be tempted to eat a whole batch of cookies at midnight. Plus cleanup is minimal which is great when your tired and just want dessert.

2-Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

This is the classic mug cake that started it all. Mix flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and a few other ingredients right in the mug, add milk and oil, and microwave for about 90 seconds. The key is not overcooking it or it gets rubbery instead of fluffy. Some recipes add chocolate chips for extra richness. This satisfies serious chocolate cravings fast and uses stuff you probably have in your pantry. Perfect when you need dessert immediately. Get the recipe here.

Peanut Butter Mug Cookie

This makes one giant cookie that’s soft and chewy in the middle. The peanut butter keeps it moist even in the microwave. Most recipes use just peanut butter, sugar, an egg, and flour. Some add chocolate chips cause peanut butter and chocolate go together so well. This cooks in about a minute and comes out warm and gooey. Way better than eating peanut butter straight from the jar when your craving hits. Get the recipe here.

Microwave Brownies in a Mug

These are fudgy like real brownies but ready in 2 minutes. The trick is getting the ratio of wet to dry ingredients right so they don’t come out cakey. Most recipes use cocoa powder instead of melted chocolate which makes them easier. Add some chocolate chips on top before microwaving for extra fudginess. These are dense and rich enough to satisfy any brownie craving without making a whole pan. Get the recipe here.

Vanilla Mug Cake with Sprinkles

This is a simple vanilla base that you can customize however you want. The sprinkles make it feel like a celebration even if your just sitting in your kitchen at 11pm. Some recipes add almond extract for a more complex flavor. You can top it with frosting, ice cream, or just eat it plain. This is good for when you want something sweet but not chocolate. Kids love helping make these too. Get the recipe here.

Nutella Lava Cake

This has a molten Nutella center that oozes out when you break it open. The secret is putting a spoonful of Nutella in the middle of the batter before microwaving. Don’t overcook it or the center won’t be gooey anymore. Some recipes dust the top with powdered sugar which makes it look fancy. This feels like restaurant dessert but takes 2 minutes to make. Perfect for serious Nutella addicts. Get the recipe here.

Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake

This tastes like cinnamon rolls but without all the work of making dough and letting it rise. Most recipes include cinnamon in the cake and a simple glaze on top. Some add a swirl of cinnamon sugar through the middle for extra flavor. The glaze is usually just powdered sugar and milk but makes it feel more special. Great for weekend mornings when you want something cinnamon-y but don’t have time for real cinnamon rolls. Get the recipe here.

Microwave Apple Crisp

This uses diced apples with cinnamon and sugar plus a crumbly oat topping. The apples get soft and sweet in the microwave while the topping stays slightly crispy. Most recipes use one apple which is perfect for a single serving. Some add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top while it’s still warm. This feels healthier than cake since it’s mostly fruit but still satisfies dessert cravings. Get the recipe here.

Banana Bread Mug Cake

This is a great way to use up a single overripe banana. Mash it right in the mug and add the other ingredients. The banana makes it super moist and naturally sweet. Some recipes add walnuts or chocolate chips for extra flavor and texture. This tastes just like banana bread but ready in 2 minutes instead of an hour in the oven. Perfect when you have one brown banana and want something comforting. Get the recipe here.

S’mores Mug Cake

This captures all the flavors of campfire s’mores – chocolate cake with graham cracker pieces and mini marshmallows on top. The marshmallows get all puffy and slightly golden in the microwave. Some recipes include actual pieces of chocolate bars instead of chips. This is fun and nostalgic, especially good when it’s cold outside but you want s’mores flavors. Kids go crazy for these. Get the recipe here.

Microwave Fudge (3-Ingredient)

This uses just chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between, until smooth. Pour into a small dish and let it set. It’s not quite as firm as stovetop fudge but still rich and chocolatey. Some recipes add nuts or other mix-ins. This is great when you need to make a quick dessert for guests or just want something really chocolatey. Get the recipe here.

Strawberry Mug Cake

This is perfect when strawberries are in season. Some recipes use fresh diced strawberries while others use jam or preserves. The strawberry flavor is bright and refreshing compared to heavier chocolate desserts. A simple glaze or whipped cream on top makes it feel more special. This is lighter than most mug cakes which is nice when you want something sweet but not too heavy before bed. Get the recipe here.

Microwave Rice Pudding

This uses leftover cooked rice with milk, sugar, and cinnamon. It’s comfort food that reminds you of childhood. Some recipes add raisins or vanilla extract. The rice gets creamy and the flavors meld together in just a few minutes. This feels more wholesome than cake but still satisfies sweet cravings. Good when you want something warm and comforting that’s not too sugary. Get the recipe here.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake

This combines the best of both worlds – rich chocolate cake with peanut butter mixed in. Some recipes swirl peanut butter through the batter while others put a dollop on top before microwaving. The combo is always a winner. You can add peanut butter chips or regular chocolate chips for extra richness. This is seriously indulgent and perfect for when you can’t decide between chocolate or peanut butter. Get the recipe here.

Microwave Bread Pudding

This uses stale bread (or toast fresh bread if you don’t have stale) with a custard-like mixture. It’s a great way to use up leftover bread and feels more grown-up than cake. Some recipes add raisins or a whiskey sauce on top. The texture is soft and custardy which is really comforting. This takes a bit longer than mug cakes but still way faster than oven bread pudding. Get the recipe here.

Lemon Mug Cake

The lemon flavor in this is bright and refreshing. Most recipes use both lemon juice and zest for maximum flavor. Some include a lemon glaze on top which makes them extra special. The citrus cuts through the sweetness and makes these feel lighter than chocolate desserts. Perfect for spring and summer when you want something sweet but not too heavy. Great with a cup of tea. Get the recipe here.

Microwave Chocolate Chip Cookie

This makes one giant soft cookie that’s crispy on the edges and chewy in the middle. The key is not overcooking it – start with less time and add more if needed. Some recipes use brown butter for extra flavor but that requires cooling time. This satisfies cookie cravings instantly without having to make a whole batch. Perfect when you just want one warm cookie and not dozens sitting around tempting you. Get the recipe here.

Funfetti Mug Cake

This is basically a birthday cake in a mug with colorful sprinkles mixed right in. The sprinkles make it festive even when there’s nothing to celebrate except getting through Monday. Some recipes include a simple vanilla frosting on top. This is fun and cheerful which makes it perfect for when you need a mood boost along with your sugar fix. Kids love making these for themselves. Get the recipe here.

Microwave Caramel Sauce

This isn’t technically a dessert but it makes everything else better. Most recipes use just sugar, butter, and cream. You have to watch it carefully and stir frequently so it doesn’t burn. Fresh caramel sauce on ice cream or fruit is so much better than store-bought. This is good to know how to make when you want to fancy up simple desserts. Great drizzled over mug cakes too. Get the recipe here.

Red Velvet Mug Cake

This has that distinctive red velvet flavor from cocoa powder and a hint of vanilla. The food coloring makes it pretty and special. Some recipes include cream cheese frosting which you can make in the microwave too. This feels fancy even though it’s just a mug cake. The color makes it perfect for Valentine’s Day or when you want something that looks impressive but is actually easy. Get the recipe here.

Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge

This uses peanut butter, powdered sugar, and butter microwaved together until smooth. It’s incredibly rich and satisfying. Some recipes add vanilla extract or a pinch of salt which brings out the peanut butter flavor more. This sets up firmer than chocolate fudge and is perfect for serious peanut butter lovers. Way easier than stovetop fudge but just as good. Get the recipe here.

Oreo Mug Cake

This incorporates crushed Oreo cookies right into the cake batter. Some recipes put whole cookies on top that get soft during cooking. The cookies add texture and that distinctive Oreo flavor that everyone loves. This is basically cookies and cream in cake form. Perfect for when you have Oreos but want something warm and cake-like instead of just eating them plain. Get the recipe here.

Microwave Banana Foster

This is a simplified version of the classic dessert with sliced bananas, brown sugar, butter, and a splash of rum extract (or real rum if you have it). The bananas get caramelized and sweet in just a few minutes. Serve over ice cream for the full effect. This feels fancy but is actually super easy. Great way to use up overripe bananas when you want something more special than banana bread. Get the recipe here.

Coffee Mug Cake

This has actual coffee or espresso powder in the batter which gives it a rich flavor that’s perfect for after dinner. Some recipes include a coffee glaze on top. The caffeine content is minimal since it’s just a little coffee mixed into cake batter. This is more grown-up tasting than most mug cakes and goes perfectly with an actual cup of coffee. My husband loves these cause they’re not too sweet. Get the recipe here.

Microwave Chocolate Lava Cake

This has molten chocolate in the center that flows out when you break it open. The trick is undercooking it slightly so the center stays liquid. Some recipes put a piece of chocolate in the middle of the batter before microwaving. This feels like restaurant dessert but takes 2 minutes. Perfect for impressing someone or treating yourself to something really indulgent. Get the recipe here.

Snickerdoodle Mug Cookie

This tastes like the classic cinnamon sugar cookie but in mug form. The cinnamon and sugar coating gets mixed right into the dough. Some recipes roll the dough in cinnamon sugar before microwaving for extra flavor. This is comforting and homey, like something grandma would make. The cinnamon makes your kitchen smell amazing too. Perfect for fall evenings when you want something warm and spiced. Get the recipe here.