January 27, 2011

Chocolate Mug Cake

Posted by HI Cookery under 01 January | Tags: , , , , |
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Chocolate Mug Cake

Chocolate Mug Cake

January 27: National Chocolate Cake Day

Although we have baked many chocolate cakes from scratch and box mixes before, we decided to experiment with making a miniature one in a mug. It is quick to prepare as a snack when one gets a chocolate craving without having to bake and decorate a big, decadent dessert. We admit that a chocolate mug cake cannot be compared to the oven-baked kind. But it was a unique recipe to try at least once for National Chocolate Cake Day.

Recipes

(Adapted from Navy for Moms)

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons flour (we used cake flour)
  • 4-5 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons baking cocoa (we used Nestle brand)
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 3 tablespoons oil
  • 3 tablespoons chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • powdered sugar (optional)

Directions

In a large, microwave-safe mug, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa and egg.

Chocolate Mug Cake

Mix in the milk, oil, chocolate chips and vanilla.

Chocolate Mug Cake

Stir until the batter is smooth. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. The chocolate cake will rise in the mug while cooking. Carefully remove from the microwave and wipe off any drippings. Sprinkle with powdered sugar (optional). Serve and eat at once before the cake deflates and hardens.

Chocolate Mug Cake

Notes

  • Thanks to our friend Lisa L., a mom in the Navy, for suggesting this chocolate mug cake recipe from the Navy for Moms website.
  • The chocolate mug cake is quite dry. Serve with a fudge sauce or ice cream for moistness.
  • Eat this chocolate cake right out of the mug as it does not look too appetizing when inverted onto a plate. If serving in the latter way, mist the mug with cooking spray or lightly grease with oil before mixing the ingredients inside.
  • Search our blog for other (better) chocolate cake recipes.

 

 

 

January 26, 2011

Fairy Bread

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Fairy Bread

Fairy Bread

January 26: Australia Day

G’day, mates! We asked our friend, Girlie, who grew up in Sydney, and whom we met while living in New Jersey, for a simple sandwich recipe to celebrate Australia Day (which also happens to be her wedding anniversary). She suggested vegemite sandwich and Fairy Bread. We have tried the yeasty spread before and it is a taste that we have not quite acquired. So we opted for the colorfully sprinkled, sweet and crunchy open-faced sandwich instead. Fairy Bread is fun food at kid’s birthday parties Down Under but can still be a festive feature on the menu for anyone celebrating Australia Day around the world.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • Slice of white bread
  • Butter or margarine
  • Colorful nonpareils (also known as “hundreds and thousands” in Australia; we used the Wilton brand)

Directions
Spread softened butter or margarine on one side of the bread. Sprinkle with nonpareils. Or put the sprinkles on a plate and press the bread, buttered side down, onto them.  Slice diagonally (optional: cut off the crusts).

Fairy Bread

Notes

  • Robert Louis Stevenson wrote a poem specifically for children entitled “Fairy Bread,” which may have been the inspiration for the popular Aussie snack.
  • Cookie cutters can be used for unique Fairy Bread shapes. Nutella instead of butter is another variation for the spread. Some also use wheat bread or white toast.
  • Happy Australia Day and anniversary to Girlie and Gary from your friends at HI Cookery!
 

January 22, 2011

Blondies

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Blondies

Blondies

January 22: National Blonde Brownie Day

“Do blondes have more fun?” Islander asks her light-haired hubby. “Only with you!” Highlander responds with an appropriate, safe and correct answer that scores major points with his dark-haired wife.  Hair color stereotyping aside, a blondie is a type of brownie that is made with brown sugar instead of chocolate and is a cross between a cake and a bar cookie. We have baked different types of brownies before (search our blog for recipes) and blondies are a nice change for a sweet snack. Have some food fun and bake blondies for National Blonde Brownie Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from Hershey’s)

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) butter, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups light brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 cups (12 ounce-package) chocolate chips (we used Hershey’s brand semi-sweet chocolate chips)

Directions

Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with heavy duty foil. Mist with cooking spray. In a bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, cream the butter with the sugar. Beat in the eggs. Stir in the vanilla and milk.

Blondies

Gradually add the flour mixture. Blend well. Fold in the chocolate chips.

Blondies

Spread the batter into the baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and cool completely. Carefully lift the foil out of the pan. Cut the brownies into squares and serve.

Blondies

Notes

  • To this basic blondie recipe, add a cup of chopped nuts or white chocolate chips for a crunchy texture.
  • Use cookie cutters for interesting shaped brownies. Or bake in different shaped pans.
  • Search our blog for variations of brownie recipes.

 

 

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