Every dining hall on campus has a seldom–used but ever–present gem of a microwave hidden within it. Turn that dining hall frown upside down and BYOM: Bring Your Own Mug.
MUFFINS Are the teeny muffins in the baked goods section simply not large enough for you? They aren’t hefty enough for us either. Instead, use that mug of yours to create a heavy–duty breakfast treat. First, fill your mug a little over halfway with waffle batter. • For a maple raisin muffin, thoroughly stir one large spoonful of maple syrup into the waffle batter, along with two spoonfuls of raisins and a dash of cinnamon. Microwave for about 90 seconds. Not decadent enough for you? Adding some mixed nuts in there should do the trick. Sprinkling sugar from the coffee and tea section on top can also help satisfy a sweet tooth. •If sweets in the morning aren’t your cup of tea, make a savory breakfast muffin by mixing in bacon, ham or sausage (or all three!) along with cheese, veggies and a dash of Tabasco into the waffle batter. This muffin will take a little longer than the others to cook, so try somewhere between 90 to 120 seconds depending upon how many goodies you manage pack in there.
MAC AND CHEESE One of the most disappointing things a college student can come across is poorly made mac and cheese. Rather than popping a Kraft bowl into the microwave for the umpteenth time this week, make some seriously cheesy macaroni instead. • Grab some of the cold pasta salad from the salad bar and collect at least two to three slices of cheese from the deli section. The veggies in the pasta salad add a great pop of flavor if you’re open to spicing up this kid’s classic. Take the slices of cheese and tear them into smaller portions before placing both the pasta salad and shredded cheese into your mug. Add somewhere between one to three spoonfuls of milk depending upon how thick or thin you like your mac n’ cheese. Pop this bad boy into the microwave for 90 seconds or until the cheese has melted. Stir everything very thoroughly and sprinkle some breadcrumbs on top. Now you’ve got yourself quite the mug of mac!
DESSERTS As good as mac and cheese can be, let’s face the facts: this mug craze has arisen from the massive amount of mug desserts that are oh so good and oh so easy to make. You can make these desserts in the dining hall too—quite the disastrous but delectable discovery. Similarly to the muffins, waffle batter can be used to make even sweeter desserts. • Chocolate lovers, take heed! Mixing two spoonfuls of chocolate syrup into a mug half full of waffle batter makes for a scrumptious chocolate cake. Try taking this cake to the next level by mixing in chocolate chips, mixed nuts, sprinkles or anything of the like. This cake will take at least 90 seconds to cook, and possibly more depending on how many toppings you can mix in! • If you’re missing the great outdoors and want a taste of a campfire favorite, try adding marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs for a s’mores–inspired treat. • Other easy additions include peanut butter for a Reese’s cake, as well as coconut shavings and caramel sauce for an ode to your favorite Samoa Girl Scout cookie. The possibilities are alarmingly endless. • If cake–like desserts are a bit too heavy for you, try slicing up an apple and seasoning it with cinnamon and a sweetener of your choice from the coffee section. Toss this along with raisins, craisins and granola before microwaving for three minutes or until soft. These baked apples are the closest you’ll get to your grandma’s apple pie anywhere on campus—especially with ice cream on top.
