we always make puddings (the cooked type - either the packages or from scratch) in the microwave ....they come out beautifully and you don't have to worry about scorchng/burning!

A cake like pineapple upside down works nice .... as you flip it - so it's not browning doesn't matter.

Different microwaves will work differently. If your's doesn't have a turntable - give the dish/pan a quarter turnonce or twice during cake baking time and check it ....some ovens are a lot faster than others.

I never liked pie crusts in the microwave (crumb ones are ok) but the pastry type ... look too insipid. However, the pumpkin filling for a pie should microwave as easily as a pudding .... and you could put it in a pie pan and sprinkle some streusel stuff on top????