The days are getting shorter, and the nights are getting longer. It is the perfect time for a quick and easy dessert. What is easier than a recipe cooked in a mug in the microwave? What makes these scrumptious concoctions even better is they take less than 3 minutes to make.

Gooey Chocolate Mug Cake

Ingredients:

1 egg

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1-2 tablespoons cocoa powder (depending on how chocolatey you want your cake)

In a standard-sized coffee mug, crack egg, add powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Whisk together until well-mixed. Microwave for 50-60 seconds, until the cake is cooked through (but not overcooked). Top immediately with a handful of milk chocolate chips, hot fudge, whipped cream or ice cream.

1-minute Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 tablespoon brown sugar, firmly packed

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon (pinch) salt

1 egg yolk

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1-2 tablespoons chocolate chips

Microwave butter in a mug until melted, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. With a spoon, mix in sugars, vanilla extract and salt until well-combined. Mix in egg yolk until no traces of the yolk are seen. Mix in flour. Fold in chocolate chips.

Microwave on high for 40 seconds or a maximum of 50 seconds.

Serve warm.

2-minute Pumpkin Coffee Cake in a Mug

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons pumpkin pie filling

Vanilla extract, few drops

1/4 cup self-rising flour

Streusel Topping:

1 tablespoon butter

2 tablespoons flour

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

In a mug, soften 1 tablespoon of butter in microwave. You do not want it melted, just soft. Stir in 2 tablespoons of sugar and mix until well blended. Stir in pumpkin, vanilla (just a few drops) and flour. Stir until just combined. Use the back of spoon to smooth it out in the bottom of the mug.

In a separate, small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of butter, 2 tablespoons of flour, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Use fingers to pinch the butter and mix it in with the other ingredients. When it starts to look lumpy and all ingredients are combined, pour on top of cake batter in mug.

Cook in the microwave for 50-80 seconds depending on your microwave.