I don’t know who came up with the idea of a single-serve dessert, but I feel like it might have been a parent who just needed a little treat after a long day. This is when I need a quick, easy single-serve dessert that I don’t have to share with anyone.
40+ Quick and Easy Single Serve Dessert Recipes
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My favorite single-serve recipe is my peanut butter cookie dough. I make this way too much. I am just such a BIG lover of peanut butter. I love having a sweet treat in the evening once my kids are in bed for the night. Usually, while I am curled up on the couch with a good book or watching something on Netflix.
I love using these pretty ramekins for my mug cakes, they are microwave and oven safe. I have been without both at times which makes this important to me.
Picking your single serve mug
Now, I have been using my soup mug, which is only microwave safe, so that microwave had better not quit working. I have liked having that hand to hold on to, especially sitting on the couch so that there is less chance I am going to drop it.
You can use a regular drinking mug, as long as you can put it in the microwave. Please make sure your mug is microwave safe, I’d hate for you to have your mug and dessert explode. Then no one is happy.
Beware, your dish of course will be quite warm depending on how long it goes in the microwave, and burning your fingers isn’t going to make you happy and relaxed. Take care removing it.
Single Serve Recipes
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough, Single Serve
Cookie dough and peanut butter are my weaknesses. This cookie dough isn't going to hurt you, and it's not going to give you a toothache. Just a happy feeling.
PB&J Mug Cake - A super quick dessert for one!
This PB&J mug cake is ready in 5 minutes - perfect when you need something sweet now!
Dirt Cups Recipe
Quick and easy, these Dirt Cups are a kid-favorite dessert that can be made in less than 30 minutes.
Chocolate Panna Cotta
Chocolate Panna Cotta is a dark chocolate riff on the classic dessert. So simple to make and always a crowd pleaser!
S’More in a Mug - Single Serve Dessert
S'more without the fire? Yes please!
Gluten Free Lemon Mug Cake
This easy gluten free lemon mug cake is ready in under 3 minutes. Drizzle on lemonade icing for a delicious singe serving dessert.
Easy Strawberry Shortcake Recipe
An Easy Strawberry Shortcake Recipe – the quintessential summer dessert! This light and refreshing shortcake recipe is always a crowd pleaser and beautiful, too! Skip the mix and learn how to make Strawberry Shortcake from scratch topped with whipped cream.
Easy Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries and a Trick to Make Them Perfect Every Time
These Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries are so easy even a child can make them. Easy tip for avoiding flat sides or bottoms!
A Brownie in a Mug – Single Serve Dessert
Dessert for one is coming right up with this Single Serve Brownie in a Mug recipe.
Cheater Cheesecake: 3-Ingredient Healthy Alternative to Cheesecake
This quick and easy treat is a healthy and delicious alternative to cheesecake.
One-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream {in 5 Minutes}
All you need to make this banana "ice cream" is one frozen banana. It tastes just like soft serve!
S’mores Edible Cookie Dough!
No Bake S’mores Edible Cookie Dough! An easy snack or treat recipe for one! So easy to whip together and so good!
Easy Blueberry Cobbler in One Minute (single serving)
One Minute Blueberry Cobbler, an easy microwave cobbler. Only takes one minute!
Easy Berry Trifle
These easy berry trifles are great to make for one or to make single serve desserts for a dinner party!
Single Serve Apple Crisp
This single serve 5 minute single serve apple crisp is prefect for a quick break from everything that is going on.
Snickerdoodle Mug Cake (egg free)
Snickerdoodle Mug Cake is a fun and delicious way to get kids learning and baking in the kitchen.
Paleo Mug Cake
This paleo chocolate mug cake is a nutritious single serve dessert that’s made in the microwave. It’s gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free.
Funfetti Mug Cake: Birthday Cake in a Mug
Having a funfetti cake can take lots of work. But this mug cake can have you eating delicious cake in minutes without all the leftovers!
Cheesecake Mousse with Strawberry Crumble
This is a thick cheesecake-like mousse served with a crumble that’s like the outside of those popular strawberry ice cream bars! These can be used as shooters, filling, or straight out of the bowl!
Easy Double Raspberry Mousse Cups
If you like berries, your will love this Raspberry Mousse! Quick to make, this easy Raspberry Mousse Recipe is the perfect light dinner party dessert idea to try this summer.
Chocolate Mousse with Kahlua
A rich decadent mouse with a hint of Kahlua. Light and creamy, serve with a cookie or extra shaved chocolate!
Chocolate Pudding In A Mug
Moist, gooey, high protein Chocolate pudding in a mug with rich chocolate flavour, made in the microwave in under 5 minutes.
M&M Microwave Cookie
M&M Microwave Cookie – A soft, warm and delicious cookie you can make right in the microwave in less than 2 minutes!! Perfectly portioned for one or two!
Strawberry Cheesecake Mousse
Strawberry cheesecake mousse is a simple, no-bake dessert that comes together quickly for a delicious treat. It is served on top of a layer of chocolate cookie crumbs for perfect ending to any meal.
Vegan Lemon Blueberry Microwave Mug Cake
This Vegan Lemon Blueberry Mug Cake is refined sugar free, gluten-free optional and ready in just 5 minutes! It can be made in the microwave or the oven
Pumpkin Nutella Microwave Mug Cake Recipe
Celebrate fall with this easy Pumpkin Nutella Microwave Mug Cake recipe! This fall recipe creates a single-serving dessert made with pumpkin puree, Nutella hazelnut spread, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and basic kitchen staples.
Easy Easy King Cake Recipe for One
Want King Cake, but don’t want the whole cake? This insanely easy King Cake Recipe for One is the perfect portion and it will have you celebrating Mardi Gras in no time!
Keto Peanut Butter Chocolate Pudding
This peanut butter chocolate pudding is a quick dessert that is really easy to make and uses only 4 ingredients. It's ready in just 3 minutes and is amazingly delicious!
Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake
No dirty pans but all the cinnamon roll taste. Make this delicious cinnamon roll mug cake as an evening treat!
Vegan Brownie In a Mug
A really easy quick vegan recipe when you need a chocolate pick me up for one! A forgiving recipe so lots of substitutions possible I bet you’ll have everything you need in your pantry.
Mini Mason Jar Easy Banana Pudding
An easy banana pudding recipe made with fresh bananas and served in adorable mini mason jars. It's a cute and decorative way to create snack sized treats!
Mug Cakes - Easy Microwave Molten Chocolate Cake Baked in a Mug
These mug cakes taste like the best molten chocolate cake that you would get at a restaurant, but you can make them at home in minutes using your microwave. This recipe uses both melted chocolate and cocoa powder so it’s extra chocolaty! And, as an added bonus, you can mix everything in the same mug you eat it out of and avoid doing extra dishes!
Single-Serve Vegan Oatmeal Cookie in a Mug
Gluten-Free, dairy-free brownie in a mug! This single-serve brownie recipe is rich, moist and fudgy!
Chocolate omelet
An omelet doesn’t necessarily have to be savory! I love sweet omelets and this fluffy chocolate omelet is so good! I served it with whipped cream and fresh fruit. It tastes amazing, is very fluffy and looks so pretty.
Easy Microwave Jam Sponge Pudding
A traditional British jam sponge pudding made in a mug and cooked in the microwave in just 2 minutes.Serve topped with a dollop of vanilla ice cream.
Simple Microwave Cheesecake For One
Easy way to enjoy that creamy cheesecake flavor without all the work of making a whole cheesecake. This cheesecake for one is made right in the microwave.
Keto Cherry Cheesecake Fluff - Cheesecake It Is!
Enjoy the flavor of cherries and sweet creamy cheesecake all while staying Keto. This easy to make keto cheery cheesecake fluff is so easy and oh so good!
2 Minute Apple Pie Crunch
A few ingredients and a couple of minutes are all you need to make this nutritious and tasty snack that is reminiscent of apple pie. Perfect as a healthy dessert, too!
Oreo Mug Cake
A single serving mug cake will satisfy that sweet craving. Specifically an Oreo mug cake that's ready in about 5 minutes.
Carrot Cake Mug Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Carrot Cake Mug Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a homemade quick dessert that is made in about 3 minutes! Perfect for this time of year!
Healthy Pumpkin Mug Muffin (Single Serve)
A single serve pumpkin muffin ready to eat in 5 minutes with help from the microwave and a mug!
Blueberry Crisp Recipe
Mouth-watering Blueberry Crisp with a crispy oat & almond topping is served warm and always ready for ice cream. This blueberry crisp recipe is naturally sweetened, undetectably vegan, and crazy easy to make!
Make these recipes for your night at home alone. Make them a special treat once your kids are in bed for the night. Or maybe while your husband has them occupied and busy doing something else so that you can have a little time alone for yourself.
Sweet Ideas & Personal Twists for Your Single-Serve Desserts
More Ways to Make It Yours
Don’t feel you have to follow the recipes exactly—some of my favorite dessert-moments come from improvising. Try swapping ingredients based on what you have on hand:
- If you’re out of flour, use oat flour or almond flour. They give a slightly different texture but still work.
- Swap out butter with coconut oil or another baking oil if you prefer a dairy-free version.
- Use flavor extracts (vanilla, almond, mint) to play with tastes without changing texture.
Quick Add-Ons That Level Things Up
Sometimes the smallest touches make a dessert feel special. Here are some easy boosters:
- A pinch of sea salt over something chocolatey or peanut buttery.
- A swirl of caramel or nut butter on top, or stir in a spoonful before microwaving.
- Fresh berries, fruit slices, or a sprinkle of chopped nuts for crunch, color, and more flavor.
- A dollop of whipped cream, yogurt, or a scoop of ice cream if you want to treat yourself.
Time-Saving Tips
Because single-serve desserts are all about ease, here are ways to shave off a few minutes:
- Pre-measure dry ingredients in small jars or bags so when you want dessert you just dump and go.
- Use mugs or ramekins you already have and know are microwave/oven-safe—no need to buy specialty equipment unless you want to.
- Clean up as you go. Even microwaves and mugs can get messy; wiping down immediately after helps.
- Make Dessert Time Your Moment
It’s not just about what you eat—it’s about the experience. When you take a few minutes to enjoy your dessert:
- Pick something you enjoy doing while you eat it—reading, watching something light, listening to music.
- Use this as a chance to be gentle with yourself. Sometimes just having that dessert, even alone, is self-care.
- Don’t worry about perfection. If one dessert turns out a little off, it’s okay. You tried, you tasted, and tomorrow you’ll tweak it.
Take time for yourself! Whether that is with a sweet treat, a Netflix show, or a great book. Remember you need to be taken care of too sometimes.