Seems all the talk these days on Facebook is of "quarantine snacks"!  Why should kids be left out of the action? Here are some kid friendly recipes they can whip up themselves in minutes using the microwave. Adult supervision for the younger ones is advised, of course, but even teens and adults may want to give recipes these a try.  Baking is the perfect STEAM activity - math in the measuring, chemistry in the cooking, and a perfect work of art when it's done!

Homemade microwave granola bars:

  1. Melt 1/2 cup butter or margarine in an 8" square glass pan, or any similar size microwavable pan. 
  2. Mix in 1/2 cup brown sugar a bit of vanilla if you like, then add 2 cups of rolled oats and mix well. 
  3. At this point you can add anything you like - chocolate chips, raisins, dried cranberries, nuts, coconut...whatever. I like them plain. 
  4. Microwave 4 to 5 minutes, depending on the power of your microwave. It's a good idea, at least the first time, to keep watch. Once the center of the pan is bubbling, they're cooked. If they stay in too long in a square pan you'll have crunchy corners. 
  5. Let cool, cut into 8 bars, and enjoy!

Two-minute microwave fudge: 

  • 454 g. icing sugar (that's the small bag or about 4 cups)
  • 2/3 cup cocoa
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine
  1. Whisk together powdered sugar, cocoa, and salt in a 1 litre (4 cup) microwave safe bowl.
  2. Stir in milk and vanilla, and mix well. 
  3. Place butter on top.
  4. Microwave on high, 2 minutes.
  5. Beat with wooden spoon until smooth. 
  6. If you like nuts in your fudge, stir in about 1/2 cup now.
  7. Spread in a 8 X 8 X 2 inch baking pan and chill about 1 hour or until firm.

If it's not sweets you're looking for, I found this amazing looking microwave mug pizza here. Crust ingredients, toppings and cheese all go in the mug together and are ready in under 2 minutes in the microwave. Happy eating!