Microwave Magic: Mug Cakes for Dorm Life

October 26, 2026, Johnson Residence Hall, Winston-Salem, NC

Most first-years figure out fast that a dorm microwave handles noodles, leftovers, and not much else. Chef Michelle Coleman-Pelky came to change that!

Deacon Dining’s Hospitality Services Director at The North Dining Hall teamed up with The Forest, Wake Forest’s first-year program, for a Teaching Kitchen in Johnson Residence Hall built around the idea that you can make an actual dessert in a dorm room with a mug, a microwave, and ingredients that fit on a shelf. Students walked out with a recipe they can easily use again and again.

The Base Recipe

It starts dry with the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, a little baking powder, and a pinch of salt, all mixed right in the mug. Then milk, oil, and vanilla go in and get stirred until smooth. Fold in chocolate chips, microwave for 60 to 90 seconds, and let it sit for two minutes before eating. That last step isn’t optional as the mug comes out hot enough to burn you.

Then the Fun

One base recipe with the possibilities of five different directions. Students built s’mores cakes, cookies and cream, birthday cake, strawberry shortcake, and banana chocolate chip. Everyone showcased their creativity with this step at topping table with Oreos, marshmallows, sprinkles, strawberries, bananas, and whipped topping.

What was Taught

Chef Michelle covered measuring ingredients properly, how microwave cooking differs from baking in an oven, basic food safety, and how much presentation changes the way food feels to eat, all through the making of this mug cake! These are skills that outlast freshman year.

Make It Yourself

Basic Chocolate Mug Cake

  • 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp cocoa powder
  • ⅛ tsp baking powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • 3 tbsp milk
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp chocolate chips
  1. Mix the dry ingredients in a microwave-safe mug.
  2. Add the milk, oil, and vanilla.
  3. Stir until smooth.
  4. Fold in the chocolate chips.
  5. Microwave for 60 to 90 seconds.
  6. Let it cool for 2 minutes before eating.