Yemi Adelekan is a food writer and blogger who was a semi-finalist in the 2022 series of BBC TV’s Masterchef competition.

Every Saturday, Yemi writes for the Stray Ferret about her love of the area’s food and shares cooking tips. 

The days are growing shorter, the evenings colder, and my food cravings are shifting gears. Gone are the summer salads and light bites; in their place, I find myself yearning for something warm, sweet, and soothing.

On days when the rain drizzles non-stop and the chill creeps into the room and hangs around, a simple cup of cocoa is comforting but sometimes it just doesn’t quite hit the spot. That’s when I turn to quick desserts like the humble mug cake or deconstructed cheesecake.

Mug cakes are the ultimate in instant gratification. You mix a handful of ingredients in a mug, pop it into the microwave, and within minutes you have a warm, fluffy, comforting dessert as long as you resist the temptation to cook it for longer than you need to. There’s no waiting for the oven to preheat, no washing up of endless bowls, and no need for hours of preparation. Just you, your favourite mug, and the joy of digging in with a spoon while it’s still steaming.

The classic is, of course, chocolate. Add a few tablespoons of flour, sugar, cocoa powder, an egg, milk, and oil to a mug; stir it all together, microwave for a minute or two, and you have a personal-sized cake that feels indulgent without the fuss. Add a few squares of chocolate tucked into the middle before cooking, and you’ll be rewarded with a molten, gooey centre. For a wintry twist, a pinch of cinnamon, ginger or a splash of orange extract takes it to another level.

But mug cakes don’t stop at chocolate. A vanilla sponge dotted with frozen berries creates a lighter but still satisfying option, especially when the juices burst into the cake as it cooks. Peanut butter lovers can stir a spoonful into their batter for a nutty, rich flavour, or swirl it in just before microwaving to create a marbled effect.

And if you’re not in the mood for cake at all, there are other quick desserts that give the same sense of comfort without needing much time or effort. 

What I love about these quick treats is their spontaneity. You don’t need to plan ahead or stock your cupboards with specialist ingredients. They are made from the things most of us already have to hand - flour, sugar, eggs, milk, biscuits, fruit - and they reward you with something far greater than the effort you put in.

As the nights draw in and the temperature drops, I encourage you to experiment with your own mug cake or quick dessert creations. Think of them as edible hugs - warm, sweet, and ready in minutes. Whether it’s a gooey chocolate cake eaten straight from the mug, a cheesecake layered in a glass, or a crumble whipped up with store cupboard staples, these little puddings remind us that comfort doesn’t need to be complicated.

Sometimes, all you need is a spoon, a few minutes, and the promise of something warm and sweet to make a dark evening brighter.

Classic Gooey Chocolate Mug Cake

Ready in: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp self-raising flour

• 2 tbsp sugar

• 1 tbsp cocoa powder

• 1 egg

• 4 tbsp whole milk

• 1 tbsp oil

• A square or two of chocolate (optional, for a molten centre)

• Pinch of salt

Method

1. In a large mug, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, and salt.

2. Add the egg, milk, and oil. Mix until smooth.

3. Push the chocolate square into the middle of the batter if using.

4. Microwave on high for 1 - 1½ minutes, until risen and just set.

5. Eat warm straight from the mug, drizzled with some fresh cream, berry compote or a scoop of ice cream for more indulgence.

My microwave at 800 watts will do a fully cooked and set mug cake in 90 seconds so for a gooey centre, adjust timing to about 70 – 75 secs.