Dessert is undeniably the best part of any meal, but with a busy schedule, you may not have the time or energy to make a complicated sweet treat. Sometimes our sweet cravings surface unannounced, and no-bake desserts are perfect for those situations.

Mug cakes require one minute of preparation time, and one to two minutes of baking, and can be enjoyed without having leftovers for days. When I think about this sweet treat, a wave of nostalgia washes over me where I remember the times during the Covid-19 quarantine when I would scroll endlessly through social media, noting countless videos of 5-minute recipes. The popularity of such indulgent desserts has been on the rise over the last few years, and it is easy to see why. They are convenient to make and do not require an absurd amount of money nor superfluous dishes to clean.

When I initially found this recipe, I was amazed by its simplicity and its seeming deliciousness. Rather than attempting to create it myself, I took the easy way out and bought ready-made pouches. Although I thought this would be a success, it could not have been worse: The cake smelled and tasted like a wet and gooey mixture of flour and water.

The next time, however, I decided to gather the ingredients at home and follow the instructions. It took less than five minutes to make and certainly fulfilled my late-night cravings. I learned that the temperature and the time it bakes in the microwave have an impact on its consistency and the flavor.

If you find yourself with some free time between study breaks, I encourage you to try out this recipe—I can assure you that it won’t take longer than five minutes and that you will not be disappointed.

1 Minute Microwave Mug Cakes Recipe: