17 Easy Single-Serve Desserts for Nights You Need a Little Something

Baking is great, but you don’t always need all 36 of the cookies that most recipes tend to yield. In fact, sometimes you just need one. That’s where single-serve desserts come in. As their name promises, single-serve desserts have all the benefits of regular homemade desserts—they’re fun to make, you can eat ’em right out of the oven and they let you satisfy a sweets craving without leaving the house—without the sometimes pesky leftovers

Obviously there’s nothing wrong with having dozens of cookies around, but if you live alone or with just a few people and don’t have anywhere to take your baked goods, half the batch often ends up getting thrown away after several days of cookie grazing. Which means, single-serve desserts also reduce food waste, which is something you can feel good about.

And sure, it’s possible to satisfy a dessert craving without actually baking anything. You could whip up an ice cream sundae, or raid your chocolate stash, for example. But sometimes, only a fresh-out-of-the-oven dessert will do. At times like those, reach for one of these single-serve dessert recipes—many are made in the oven, some in the microwave and a few don’t need to be cooked at all. No matter your mood or your equipment situation, there’s a dessert here for you.

The View From Great Island.

Chocolate Chip Cookie

Everybody knows that freshly baked cookies are the best, so it makes sense to bake a single chocolate chip cookie every time you want one.

Yellow Bliss Road.

Apple Crisp

The only difference between a breakfast apple crisp and a dessert apple crisp? The amount of whipped cream you choose to add.

One Dish Kitchen.

Rice Krispies Treat

Sure, you could just melt some marshmallows into a bowl of Rice Krispies. But a single-serve Rice Krispies treat is so much more fun.

Love Swah.

Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

It’s worth investing in a tiny cast-iron pan if it means you can whip up one of these single-serve skillet cookies any time you so desire.

Wholefully.

Peach Crisp

Want this peach crisp to be available all year? Just sub canned peaches for the fresh one.

One Dish Kitchen.

Pecan Pie

This is a generous serving of pecan pie for just one person, but I have no complaints.

Tornadough Alli.

Banana Mug Cake

Several ripe bananas means it’s time for banana bread. Just one ripe banana means it’s time for single-serve banana mug cake.

Sally’s Baking Addiction.

Snickerdoodle

The unassuming single-serve snickerdoodle is great for addressing a sweets craving.

The Big Man’s World.

Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

This egg-free chocolate chip cookie dough is made with coconut flour, almond butter, sweetener and a few other ingredients.

One Dish Kitchen.

Rice Pudding

Rice pudding isn’t for everyone, which is why it’s great to be able to make enough just for you.

One Dish Kitchen.

Deep-Dish Peanut Butter Cookie

This rich deep-dish peanut butter cookie is a real crowd pleaser. Too bad you’re only making enough for one.

Chocolate-Covered Katie.

Funfetti Cupcake

Choose a dairy-free milk and this single-serve funfetti cupcake is totally vegan.

Chocolate-Covered Katie.

Carrot Cake In a Mug

Unlike other mug cakes, this single-serve carrot cake gets fancy with layers.

Southern In Law.

Brownie

This easy, single-serve brownie can be made in the microwave or in the oven, and you can cook it as much (or as little) as you want.

An Edible Mosaic.

Blackberry Crisp

Nothing ends the day like a bubbling, ice cream-topped ramekin of blackberry crisp.

The Almond Eater.

No-Bake Cinnamon Roll

This cashew and date-based “cinnamon roll” is a little different than what you’d buy at the mall, but it’s still delicious.

Oh Lady Cakes.

Deep-Dish Apple Pie

This deep-dish apple pie is so adorable, you might actually want to invite someone over to share it with you.