Dorm Desserts

For the Hungry, Late-Night Snack

By Carina McCallum

Photograph by Quinn Bryant

There are only so many sugar cookies and cupcakes one student can take from the dining hall before dealing with the age-old dilemma: how to kill that late-night, sweet craving with only a dorm room and a microfridge?

For the average college student, a trek to Insomnia Cookies might not always be the best move, and TruFru can become a bit too costly. Sometimes, the best option is to kill your hunger without even leaving your dorm!

Dorm desserts await you, so keep reading to see some easy recipes you can craft from the comfort of your dorm.

Microwaveable Menu

These recipes, while less practical, are perfect if you miss baking. With a bit of microwave magic, you can get a delicious, warm treat whenever you want it (as long as your roommate doesn’t eat it first).

Microwave Rice Krispies Treats

The next time you’re in the dining hall, be sure to grab the key ingredients for this first dessert. Start by melting butter in a microwaveable bowl. Next, add in marshmallows and mix well, heating them in the microwave until they’re fully melted. After they’re combined, add in your rice krispy cereal and watch the magic happen. Once they’re all mixed, enjoy your DIY rice krispy treats!

Microwave Oreo Cake

If you have a mug, a bit of patience, and a few minutes to run to the store, this is the sweet treat for you. Add crushed oreo crumbs, milk, sugar, and baking powder to your mug and mix well. Once you’ve reached a creamy consistency, top with a few broken oreo pieces and heat on high for two minutes. Take it out of the microwave, make sure it isn’t too hot, and enjoy this chocolate delicacy.

Freezer Fare

The freezer is likely an under-appreciated function of your microfridge. Fill that extra space with a few of the following recipes.

Chocolate Bark

Chocolate bark is a simple yet effective way to make your dream snack. First, melt some chocolate of your choice in the microwave. Next, pour it into Tupperware, and grab your favorite toppings. Whether it be nuts, peppermint, M&Ms, or maybe even dried fruit, you can’t go wrong; just sprinkle these on top of your melted chocolate, pop it all in the freezer, and enjoy your creation.

Brownie Batter Dip

Perfect for sharing with your friends, this dessert is sure to please! In a bowl, mix cream cheese, cool whip, boxed brownie mix, and a bit of milk to thin out the mixture. Top with some chocolate chips, and serve with graham crackers. Simple and sharable, this dessert is perfect for a movie or game night.

Keep It Simple

With the power of a microfridge, much can be done. When you’re stocking up for the next time you’re craving a sweet frozen treat, throw some grapes, berries, or bananas in the freezer. While it may seem simple, freezing these healthy options transforms their texture into a sorbet-like treat, making for the perfect bite after a night out.

We all get tired of the dining hall eventually, and oftentimes may crave the care or attention of a home-made dessert. When you want to replicate the sweet-treats of days past, a dorm dessert might just do the trick.