Chocolate Cake....from the microwave!?

From time to time I enjoy making a box cake to get my frosting fix, but after I get my cake hit from one square, I'm left with a whole cake...tempting me day after day.  Last cake I made I ended up bringing over to one of my friend's parties (a guarantee it will be scraped clean).  I feel like it's such a waste to make a whole cake that I don't even want and those little Betty Crocker bowls are so expensive.  So I looked up some one cup cake solutions and came up with this quick microwavable cake that's baked in a coffee mug!  This was my first time experimenting with it and in the future I might try out some different flavors or add-ins.  Now I'm not saying this is the Rolls Royce of cake or anything, but it's perfect when you just got to get your chocolate cake fix and fast!

I love my homemade tinsel tree :)

What you will need:

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
2-3 tablespoons sugar (according to desired sweetness, I put in two, it could have been sweeter)
1 tablespoon flour
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as canola
3 tablespoons egg white or plain Egg Whites in a carton (the egg white of one large egg is just about the amount needed)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
optional:
1 teaspoon chocolate chips

Directions:

In a microwave safe mug, blend cocoa, sugar, and flour together. Add milk, oil, egg white and vanilla. Stir vigorously for 2 minutes, making sure to get all ingredients incorporated. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top, if desired. Bake in microwave for 2 minutes. Check to make sure it is cooked on the bottom by lifting it a little with a spoon. If it is runny, cook 10 seconds more at a time until done. Do not overcook, as it will be rubbery. It puffs up and may overflow, but that is OK, it deflates somewhat as it cools. The texture will be really moist and seem almost slightly undercooked, but this is what you want!

Sami's note: Mix your egg whites super well; I had a spot in my cake EWWWW!

Also you can substitute almond extract for the vanilla or different flavored chips. I think peanut butter chips would be amazing!

PS: I found a cheesecake mug cake recipe too!  I'll try that one maybe after I get crackin' on the Christmas cookies.

I know, it's not the prettiest...just cover it will LOTs of whipped cream!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homemade Granola Bars

There's so many grocery items that we spend a lot of money on every week without realizing we can make those things at home ourselves. So I am starting my list of favorite grocery snacks with Pumpkin Granola Bars. And here comes my favorite word: EASY! Plus it's great to have a use for that last can of pumpkin lingering in the pantry.

Ingredients:
-3 1/4 cups rolled oats
-1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
-1/2 tsp cinnamon
-1/4 tsp nutmeg
-1/2 tsp salt
-3/4 cup brown sugar
-1/2 cup pumpkin puree
-1/4 cup applesauce
-1/4 cup honey
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-1 cup chocolate chips (I used mini)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease an 8-inch baking pan and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together oats, spices, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar, pumpkin, applesauce, honey, and vanilla until smooth. Add oat mixture and beat until oats are completely coated. Stir in chocolate chips.
4. Press oat mixture into the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread evenly. Bake for 30 minutes, until golden. Cool on a wire rack fro 5 minutes before cutting into bars and cooling completely.

Naughty List

Yup, I'm putting myself on the naughty list this year...cause I'm stealing Ben's photos of the cookies he made to post on my own blog. BUT in my defense I made them first!  Plus mine were shaped like acorns and dipped in chocolate.  So that makes it even, right? Right Santa?!

Have to show off my (shiny) vintage Sunbeam mixer from my auntie. I <3 it!

Recipe from Ezra Poundcake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup finely chopped walnuts (4 ounces)

Decoration (optional)

• Semisweet chocolate melted

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
3. Using an electric mixer, beat together the butter, brown sugar and vanilla until pale and fluffy.
4. Add the flour mixture at low speed, then stir in the walnuts.
5. Form 2 teaspoons of dough into an egglike shape the size of an acorn. Arrange the “acorns” about 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake in batches in the middle of the oven until undersides are light brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer to racks to cool.
7. To Decorate: Dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate. Place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper to set, about 15 minutes.

Ben rolled his rather large, but it was his first baking experience.

*Conversation with my cousin about my cookies

Cousin: "Your cookies are awful Sam"

Me: "Oh yeah?" (Noting he was still eating the cookie) "How many cookies did it take for you do come to that conclusion?"

Him: "....two. Okay, maybe three..."

Haha! You can't resist people, go make them. NOW!