Chocolate Mug Cake for 2

I was having major chocolate cravings the other day and you know me and should know by now, when I crave, I HAVE to have it! This time it was for some rich dark chocolate cake! Mmmmm but generally, this is a hard craving to get rid of because the only way out of this is to just create a craving satisfying cake that you can stuff in your mouth! --Then go for a 5 mile run to burn it off so you can fit in your wedding dress coming up so very soon!;)

You could either spend a buck or 2 and just succomb to boxed cake mix or find your perfect cake recipe but the problem with that is you are left with a whole cake! Can you let a cake go to waste just to satisfy a craving? Or stuff your face with it and have huge regrets that you can never take back!

So with all this, there is one solution that could help you out in a major way: cake in a mug ~ microwave style!

There are tons and tons of these recipes online and yes I have tested out MANY of them!!;) With all the ones I've tried, they've cured my chocolate craving but they fail in how a cake should be! The texture is always spongey and sometimes tough at the same time. Which led me to giving up on each recipe and starting over from scratch.

But just the other day, I think I came up with the perfect recipe for me. Cured the craving and I was satisfied with the overall outcome of the cake. Below is the recipe!

If you're wondering why there is no picture for this post, it's because I got really excited and just ate majority of the cake! When I was halfway done, that's when I realized I didn't take the picture! But please take my word for it, you will not be disappointed in this recipe. Have I ever let you down?

Chocolate Mug Cake for two

1 egg
3 Tbsp coconut oil
3 Tbsp milk
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa
1/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
1/4 tsp vinegar
Top with any of your favorite frostings or toppings

Whisk egg and oil in one of the mugs.

Mix in milk, vanilla, and sugar.

On the side, combine cocoa, flour, baking powder, and salt in another bowl and add to the wet ingredients.

Mix in vinegar and beat batter until smooth. Split into two mugs and microwave separately for about 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds. I'd say it's ready closer to 1 minute but all microwaves are different. Serve cooled down or if you are like me, let it sit for a few minutes and indulge right away!;)

Pinterest Recipe Testing

Instead of the usual work potluck, someone at work thought it would be fun to test recipes that people pin on Pinterest and see if they are any good and actually 'pin-worthy'. Great idea except I never follow recipes and had to this time. So I ended up testing out the recipe, "Nutella Brownies". This was the first time I tried Nutella. I think I'd be fine with only eating Nutella this way!

Here's the link to the recipe. Copy and Paste:

http://m.instructables.com/id/Nutella-Brownies-Three-Ingredients/

The result?
They were really good. Simply devine. Chocolate craving satisfied. Moist yet more cake-like. Stomach pleasing. Mood enhancer. One of my favorite combinations: hazelnut and chocolate. Seriously, what girl doesn't love (semi-sweet (35%) to dark (70%)) chocolate? Enough said.

I actually don't feel the need to adjust the recipe too much. I don't want to change the flavor and easiness of the brownies but I would probably add a teaspoon of vanilla to the batter and maybe take out a tablespoon or two of the flour for more moist brownies.

Would have liked more times given for different brownie methods instead of having to estimate the times. I gave the brownies about 15-17 minutes in the oven. That may be adjusted again if, or I mean, when I make them again. I personally would like to rewrite the directions too. I don't just throw things in a bowl and mash things up. You have to love what you are doing in the kitchen.

'Pin-worthy'?

Yes, but with some adjustments!

Happy Thanksgiving! One of my favorite days of the year. :) Gotta love all the food and always be thankful for what you have and who you have in your life. Appreciate life each and every day.

Early Birthday Celebrating

My travel bud surprised me and took me on a fun movie and dinner date Friday! We saw The Vow and I cried. This is the 2nd time that I've cried at the movies in front of her. She says I'm getting all sappy now! What is wrong with me?! Ugh..

Then.....she took me to Roscoe's!! HECK YEAH! Can't turn that down. What an awesome friend! This was all her idea and I had no say in where we were going.:) The ONLY place that I will eat waffles with anything they'll give me. Not into any sticky stuff (honey, maple, caramel, chocolate, simple sugar syrup..etc) but of course you have to do it here. And the mac and cheese is BOMB! Tastes just like my homemade dish. And who would have thought of mixing orange juice and lemonade together?! I didn't. It had been a long time, Roscoe's.





My original plan was to go salsa dancing but I've been taking on a little more now, so when I think of dancing, I picture my bed and me sleeping in it! Plans changed!

The next night went out with the friends for another birthday celebration at The Stinking Rose. Gotta get my garlic fix. NO ONE LOVES GARLIC MORE THAN I DO. And this time, I made sure to get the Garlic Ice Cream.



I went in wanting the Shrimp hot plate but ended up with the Rosemary and Garlic Filet Mignon. Quite possibly the best I have ever had so far in my young life. Cooked to perfection. My tastebuds were happy. My heart was happy. My stomach was happy.



I suggested to a couple friends they should try out the 40 Clove Chicken dish. They were beyond thrilled by the result. Leah got down to the point and said, "This is the best chicken that I have ever had in my life." Enough said.



Everyone else was very pleased with their meals. All stomachs at our table were satisfied.

The Garlic Ice Cream with a Caramel Molé was bomb. Not at all overpowering. Couldn't have been better. Don't be scared off by the thought of eating garlic ice cream. Trust me on this.





So some lady told me to sit on the chair. Um, no thanks!

It was a fun weekend of movies, tears, perfect combos, and a wonderful meal.

Ice Cream...In the Fall

We all know California is known for the sun and its hot weather. It is both a good and bad thing. Bad because well, I've never really been a fan of our hot summers and the fact that it still feels like summer in the fall. But at the same time, it feeling like summer now in the fall gives me the excuse to make ice cream! So the first ice cream to churn in my new ice cream maker is...... TARO ROOT! Perfect choice I'd say! I'm all about trying different flavors. Don't worry, the classics are still in my heart. Especially ROCKY ROAD! My favorite. I chose to make taro root ice cream first mainly because I like this versatile root vegetable. You can take it and make a wonderful meal or side dish out of it AND take it and turn it into a treat. Take my word for it. You will love it!