Snacks, meals and desserts you can cook in a coffee mug

Brownie-like, this cake lets the richness and flavor of everyone’s favorite chocolate-hazelnut spread shine. When inverted, the dessert has a slightly molten top.

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup Nutella (or other chocolate-hazelnut spread)
• 1 large egg

1. Spray the inside of a 16-ounce mug with cooking spray.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until fully combined. In a medium bowl, whisk together the Nutella and egg until well mixed. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir until fully combined. Pour into the greased mug.

3. Cover tightly and microwave until the bottom is 90 percent cooked through, about 2 minutes. If desired, invert onto a dessert plate.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 829 calories, 41 grams fat, 101 grams carbohydrates, 17 grams protein, 212 milligrams cholesterol, 669 milligrams sodium, 1 gram dietary fiber, 44 percent of calories from fat.

This easy crowd-pleaser — think pizza in a mug, in less than 5 minutes — will become one of your go-to dishes. Be sure to use a high-quality marinara sauce.

• 1 cup 1-inch cubes country bread, such as ciabatta
• 1/2 cup high-quality marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh spinach leaves, washed and patted dry

1. Stir together all of the ingredients in a small bowl, then pour into a 12-oz. mug. Pack down.

2. Cover and microwave until hot, about 2 minutes.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 374 calories, 18 grams fat, 34 grams carbohydrates, 18 grams protein, 51 milligrams cholesterol, 1,021 milligrams sodium, 3 grams dietary fiber, 44 percent of calories from fat.

• 1 small very ripe banana
• 1 egg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground mixed spice
• 2 tablespoons butter, very soft
• 3 tablespoons self-rising flour
• 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts or pecan nuts
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• Maple syrup, to drizzle

1. Mash the banana in a 12-ounce microwave-safe mug until almost completely pureed. Add the egg, mixed spice, butter, flour, half of the nuts, and sugar and beat together until well mixed.

2. Microwave on full power for 2 minutes or until just firm to touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Sprinkle with the remaining chopped nuts and serve drizzled with maple syrup.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 603 calories, 33 grams fat, 69 grams carbohydrates, 12 grams protein, 275 milligrams cholesterol, 611 milligrams sodium, 4 grams dietary fiber, 48 percent of calories from fat.

• Generous 1/4 cup full-fat cream cheese, softened
• 2 teaspoons vanilla sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 8 fresh raspberries, plus extra to decorate
• 1 graham cracker or amaretti cookie
• Sifted confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

1. Put the cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk and cream in a 7-ounce microwave-safe mug and beat together until well mixed.

2. Microwave on full power for 45 seconds. Stir in the raspberries and microwave on full power for 1 minute or until the edges of the cheesecake are set but the center is still wobbly.

3. Crush the cracker or cookie, either loosely with your fingers or finely in a plastic bag using a rolling pin. Sprinkle the crumbs over the cheesecake and decorate with a few raspberries. Serve dusted with a little sifted confectioners’ sugar.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 442 calories, 37 grams fat, 20 grams carbohydrates, 9 grams protein, 317 milligrams cholesterol, 232 milligrams sodium, 2 grams dietary fiber, 75 percent of calories from fat.

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
• 4 tablespoons lemon curd, plus extra to serve
• 1 tablespoon superfine sugar
• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
• Finely grated zest of 1/4 lemon
• 4 tablespoons self-rising flour
• Sifted confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

1. Beat the egg in a 12-ounce microwave-safe mug. Beat in the oil, lemon curd, sugar, poppy seeds, and lemon zest until thoroughly mixed, then stir in the flour.

2. Microwave on full power for 2 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Serve topped with extra lemon curd and dusted with a little sifted confectioners’ sugar.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 629 calories, 25 grams fat, 89 grams carbohydrates, 13 grams protein, 310 milligrams cholesterol, 528 milligrams sodium, 2 grams dietary fiber, 36 percent of calories from fat.

This sandwich tastes like a decadent breakfast pastry. For the classic fast-food version, prepare using a buttermilk biscuit. After inverting onto a plate, drizzle with a bit of maple syrup and sprinkle with minced chives or sliced scallions if you like.

• 1 burger bun or buttermilk biscuit, split
• 2 chicken apple breakfast sausages (about 1 1/2 ouces total), each cut into four 1/2-inch pieces (heaping 1/4 cup)
• 2 tablespoons shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 2 teaspoon milk
• Minced fresh chives or thinly sliced scallions (optional)

1. Place one bun half on the bottom of a 12-ounce mug. Top with half of the sausage pieces, half of the cheese, half of the maple syrup, and half of the milk. Repeat the layers one more time.

2. Cover and microwave until the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes. Garnish with the chives or scallions, if you like.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 274 calories, 12 grams fat, 27 grams carbohydrates, 15 grams protein, 48 milligrams cholesterol, 586 milligrams sodium, 1 gram dietary fiber, 40 percent of calories from fat.

Think of these microwave nachos as a tortilla casserole. Feel free to customize with the salsa and toppings of your choice and to swap in guacamole for the fresh avocado. To cut down on sodium, use low- or no-salt refried beans and salsa.

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1/2 cup canned refried beans
• 3 tablespoons high-quality salsa
• 10 tortilla chips, plus more for serving, if desired
• 3 tablespoons shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 1/2 avocado, diced (about 1/4 cup)
• 1 teaspoon sour cream, for garnish (optional)
• 1 teaspoon canned green chiles, for garnish (optional)
• 1 teaspoon thinly sliced trimmed scallions, for garnish (optional)

1. Spray the inside of a 12-ounce mug with cooking spray.

2. In a small bowl, stir together the beans and salsa.

3. Place half of the chips in the mug and top with a third of the cheese and half of the bean-salsa mixture. Top with the remaining chips, another third of the cheese, and the remaining bean mixture. Top with the remaining cheese.

4. Cover and microwave until most of the cheese melts, about 1 minute. Uncover and microwave until the remainder of the cheese melts, about another 30 seconds. Top with the avocado and other garnishes, and serve with additional chips, if desired.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 520 calories, 26 grams fat, 57 grams carbohydrates, 18 grams protein, 21 milligrams cholesterol, 1,093 milligrams sodium, 11 grams dietary fiber, 44 percent of calories from fat.

At the bottom of the mug, you’ll find a raspberry preserve “surprise.” Feel free to sprinkle with confectioners’ (powdered) sugar or cinnamon sugar (mix together 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar) for an even more decadent breakfast or dessert. Cinnamon raisin bread or any unflavored country bread would be delicious substitutes for the croissant, brioche, or challah roll.

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 Tbs. maple syrup
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup 1-inch pieces croissant, brioche, or challah roll
• 1 tablespoon raspberry preserves
• 10 fresh berries, such as raspberries, for serving

1. Spray the inside of a 12-oz. mug with cooking spray.

2. Combine the milk, egg, 1 tsp. of the syrup, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla in a small to medium bowl. Whisk well with a fork. Add the bread and stir, soaking for 2 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, spoon the preserves into the mug. Place the soaked bread pieces on top (discard any remaining liquid).

4. Cover and microwave until the liquid mixture solidifies, about 2 minutes (some egg white might be visible). Top with the remaining syrup and the berries.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 470 calories, 18 grams fat, 62 grams carbohydrates, 14 grams protein, 255 milligrams cholesterol, 769 milligrams sodium, 5 grams dietary fiber, 35 percent of calories from fat.