Quick & clever

Fastest-ever chocolate chip cookie

MAKES 1 PREP 5 mins plus standing

COOK 5 mins EASY V

15g unsalted butter

15g light brown soft sugar

1 egg yolk (freeze the white for another recipe)

¼ tsp vanilla extract

25g plain flour pinch of baking powder

15g milk chocolate chips ice cream, to serve (optional)

1 Put the butter and sugar in a microwave-safe cup or ramekin and microwave on high for

30-50 seconds (longer if using fridge-cold butter) until melted.

2 Stir in the egg yolk until glossy and combined. Stir in a pinch of salt and the vanilla. Add the flour, baking powder and chocolate chips. Microwave on high for 1 min until puffed and golden. Remove and leave for a few minutes before serving with ice cream, if you like.

We tested these recipes in a 750-watt microwave – timings may vary if your microwave is more or less powerful.

Mug brownie

MAKES 1 PREP 5 mins

COOK 1 min-1 min 30 seconds

EASY V

3 tbsp plain flour

3 tbsp cocoa powder

2 tbsp caster sugar

2 tbsp vegetable or sunflower oil

4 tbsp milk

2 tbsp milk chocolate chips ice cream, to serve (optional)

Lower your energy use by baking pudding in the microwave tip

1 Combine all of the ingredients except the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe mug and mix well until smooth. Stir through the chocolate chips.

2 Microwave on high for 1 min-1 min 30 seconds until cooked through and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Serve with a scoop of ice cream on top, if you like.

Microwave vanilla mug cake

MAKES 1 PREP 5 mins

COOK 1 min 30 seconds-2 mins

EASY V

30g butter

2½ tbsp caster sugar

6 tbsp plain flour

¼ tsp baking powder

3½ tbsp milk

½ tsp vanilla

4 tsp icing sugar sprinkles, to serve (optional)

1 Put the butter in a microwave-safe mug and microwave on high for

30-45 seconds until melted. Stir in the caster sugar, flour, baking powder, milk and vanilla until smooth. Microwave on high for 1 min-1 min 15 seconds until cooked through and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Set aside while you make the icing.

2 Combine the icing sugar with enough water to create a drizzly consistency, then spoon over the cake (it will melt a little with the heat of the sponge). Scatter over the sprinkles, if using, and serve.

Microwave banana mug cake

MAKES 1 PREP 5 mins

COOK 1 min 30 seconds EASY V

1 banana, peeled

1 egg, beaten

1 tbsp vegetable or sunflower oil

½ tsp vanilla extract

3 tbsp maple syrup, plus extra for drizzling (optional)

4 tbsp plain flour

½ tsp baking powder

1 tbsp chopped pecans or chocolate chips (optional)

1 Cut 2 thin slices of banana from the centre of the fruit, set aside, then mash the rest.

2 Tip the mashed banana into a microwave-safe mug, then stir in the remaining ingredients, except the banana slices. Microwave on high for 1 min 30 seconds-2 mins until cooked through and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool for 1 min, then top with the banana slices and drizzle over maple syrup, if you like.