Recipe - 5 Minute Cake

Since receiving an email with this recipe a while back, I have been curious if it would actually make an edible chocolate cake in the same amount of time that it takes me to gather the ingredients. Sure, I can bake a cake from scratch, or use a boxed mix – but sometimes I just want the taste of something chocolate-y without having the temptation of a whole family-sized cake staring at me.

I decided to test the waters and see if this actually worked – and I am pleasantly surprised to report that yes, it does work, and no, it does not taste horrible. I accidentally over-mixed it, so the end result was denser then I would have liked it, but I think if I was more careful, it would have turned out much better. The taste is fudgy and not overly sweet, and the addition of the chocolate chips gave it an extra bit of pizzazz. I was watching it carefully as it cooked in the microwave and was worried since it rose to twice the size of the mug, but once it settled it only filled about half of my regular sized coffee mug. I will say that it made my house smell absolutely divine as it was cooking and the minute or so of waiting was torturous to my impatient self.

This cake tastes much better while it is warm because once it cools it begins to harden – again, probably my fault because I mixed it too much, but something to watch out for. You could probably cook it for 2 ½ minutes for more of a molten lava cake with a gooey middle instead. I cut it in half to share with the boyfriend as a quick snack while we watched TV, and served it with chocolate/cherry frozen yogourt, a squirt of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry on top. It made something so simple seem a bit fancier, and I felt less guilty for serving up something so ridiculously effortless. So if you’re looking for a quick dessert for one or two people, this is about as quick (and easy) as you can get.

5 Minute Cake

4 Tbsp flour

4 Tbsp sugar

2 Tbsp cocoa

1 egg

3 Tbsp milk

3 Tbsp oil

1 tsp vanilla

1 Tbsp chocolate chips (optional)

1.       In a mug, mix flour, sugar and cocoa.

2.       Add egg, milk, oil and vanilla. Mix until combined, but be careful not to over mix.

3.       Fold in chocolate chips if using.

4.       Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Cake will rise over the mug – wait until it stops rising and sets in the mug before removing.

5.       Top with ice cream, whipped cream – whatever you want!

Makes 1 mug cake – can serve 2 if you feel generous and want to share.