5-Minute Chocolate Mug Cake


Great idea, esp for kids in dorms - one can make cakes using basic pantry items (microwave, mug, spoon & fork) in about the same time it takes to cook Maggi Mee. Ok, maybe a tad longer. No fancy mixer, sieve, weighing machine etc required. * A silicon spatula makes washing sticky mugs a lot less icky *

Initially skeptical after reading horror stories with pics of mess & rubbery lumps resembling stuff produced by elephants, this post encouraged me to try: www.dizzy-dee.com/dizzy-dee/chocolate-cake-in-5-minutes. After many experiments, here's my improved recipe:


Ingredients
4 Tbsp cake flour (aka superfine plain flour - plain flour is also ok)
3 Tbsp sugar
1 or 2 Tbsp Hershey's cocoa (if using other cocoa, add ¼tsp Cream of Tartar or vinegar)
¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 egg
3 Tbsp milk
2 (or 3) Tbsp veg oil (use corn / canola / grapeseed - other oils smell)

Method
In a microwave-safe mug (http://www.wikihow.com/Test-if-a-Dish-Is-Microwave-Safe), mix dry stuff (flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda) with a fork. Add egg & stir well till well-mixed. Add milk, mix well. Add oil, stir vigorously till well-mixed (~ 1 min). Pour half into a 2nd mug (share!) & microwave for 2min 20sec, stand 2min - ie, leave it in the oven (my oven beeps 2m after cooking has ended if door is not opened). Take out mugs carefully, grab a spoon & dig in! * I often microwave just 2min for a softer cake, but sometimes cake turns out damp.

Option
 Instead of 2 mugs, I poured the mix into a clean mug lined with a 5"-high baking paper collar (with generous overlap for strength). Capillary action helps the cake rise & hold its shape - otherwise it collapses & toughens. After standing time, remove from mug but keep wrapped till cool enough to unwrap. Voila, a chocolate log! Slice, or frost as mini log cake. This cake is springy & doesn't crumble easily.

 
High paper collar enables cake to "climb" & not overflow.

Sliced, it's good for 4 persons!

Cake is nearly 2x height of mug - can slice into rounds or frost as a mini log cake.

Observations from experiments
- Without bicarbonate of soda, cake is dense like brownie.
- Reduce flour ▻▻▻ more soft & moist & harder to hold
- Reduce oil ▻▻▻ more dry & brownie-like
- Replace oil with applesauce ▻▻▻ healthier but more stodgy
(Applesauce: 23.5oz jar @ NTUC costs $3.40)
- I'm in need of new, elastic-waist pants. Where to get attractive ones??

Super Soft 5-min Chocolate Cake

Same recipe, but reduce flour to 1Tbsp. Sprinkle choc chips into 3 teacups before filling with batter (optional: line with thin paper cases for easier unmolding). Microwave 2min 20sec, stand 3-5m. Tip out on plate & remove paper - the chips which have sunk now form a yummy topping.

Enjoy straight from teacup ...

or tip out & decorate with fruit, coulis, choc sauce, fresh cream, ice-cream etc!

During cooking, batter will double in size before shrinking a little.

Gooey choc chips on top.

Light-as-feather, tender & chocolaty!!

No comments :

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...