Tag Archives: Chocolate

This month, I decided to participate in a new recipe swap group – Secret Recipe Club.  Basically, you are given a new cooking blog to explore, you choose any recipe that they have posted and you try it.  Such a great idea, and a great way to find new blogs and new recipes.

I was given The Newlyweds Blog – and there were definitely plenty of recipes to choose from, it was quite hard to decide.  So, I gave the decision to CH.  He explored the blog, browsed recipes and then, he got really excited when he saw this recipe.  Instant cakes? Under 5 minutes, he was sold.

I was too.  You see, we already know that I don’t have an overly sweet tooth, so I get kinda lazy baking things for CH.  Yet, I like to be a good wife and make him treats from time to time.  He absolutely LOVES my Mom’s chocolate cake, but it’s time consuming (okay, not really!) and it makes a lot of cake for just one guy.  So this mug cake definitely solved a lot of problems.

I’ve already made these numerous times, even for our “Thanksgiving” dinner where I topped them with pumpkin pie whipped cream, and another time with caramel sauce.  But, the overall winner, is the Nutella version I came-up with.  1 (heaping) tablespoon of Nutella, and you have a deliciously moist cake, in under 5 minutes.  How can  you complain?!

I really fell in love with this idea…and it will become a standby recipe for years to come.  I can see it showing up at dinner parties, with a customizable toppings bar, or as a last minute dessert for those unexpected guests.  It is a delicious, warm, gooey, chocolate cake….from the microwave!

One quick tip – be sure to use a LARGE coffee mug – you need the room as it cooks, and to top it with ice cream, or whatever you choose.

So, thanks Newlywed Blog, for a great recipe.

Enjoy!

Chocolate Mug Cake

Serving:  1 individual sized cake
Prep Time:  2 minutes
Cook Time: 3 – 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 TBSP flour
• 4 TBSP sugar
• 2 TBSP cocoa powder
• 1 large egg
• 3 TBSP milk
• 3 TBSP vegetable oil
• 1 TBSP Nutella (or substitute chocoalte chips, Hershey’s Bliss, toffee bits….whatever you please!)
• splash of vanilla (optional)

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a large coffee mug.  Whisk well to incorporate all ingredients.

Place the mug in the microwave and cook for 2 1/2 – 3 minutes, until the top is nice and firm.

Remove the mug from the microwave (be careful – it’s HOT!) and serve immediately.  I like to serve it directly in the mug, with ice cream on-top, but feel free to remove it from the mug and serve in a bowl.  Whatever you prefer.

Enjoy!

As one final tip – I’ve made multiple mugs at once (4!) and just increased the microwave time by 2 minutes – worked perfectly!

Recipe from The Newlywed Blog

This month’s theme for What’s Baking was “family favourite”.  I already shared my family favourite Chocolate Cake recipe, CH’s favourite Banana Bread, and my personal favourite the Strawberry Tarts, so I had to think a little about what I wanted to bake this month.

It didn’t take long as I started thinking about my family, particularly my Mom and remembered one dessert that she loves and totally reminds me of her – Nanaimo Bars!

Now, the other thing about Nanaimo Bars, is that they apparently originate from Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada – my home province (and hence their name)!  I grew up just across the water from Naniamo, and visited there often for hockey tournaments etc.  So, not only are these bars a family favourite, they originate close to home.  It was meant to be!  As another random fact, they are actually called “Canadian Bars” in Australia, too cute!

I have never made them from scratch before, and was surprised at how easy they were.  Three layers, no oven-baking required, no crazy ingredients, sounds like a perfect recipe to me!  The recipe below made quite a few, so they are now safely in the freezer, ready to be enjoyed whenever we are in need of a treat, or whenever guests’ pop over for a last minute visit/dessert.

Enjoy!

Nanaimo Bars

Yield:  totally depends on how big/small you cut them…
Prep Time:  10 minutes
Cook Time:  no oven time required, melting chocolate etc. about 40 minutes

Ingredients & Directions:

Bottom Layer

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (salted or unsalted)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 5 TBSP cocoa
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1.25 cups graham wafer crumbs
• 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds (you can also use walnuts)
• 1 cup coconut

In a small saucepan, over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the sugar and cocoa powder to the saucepan and whisk thoroughly until smooth and well incorporated.  Remove the saucepan from the heat, and then gradually whisk in the beaten egg. Return the saucepan to low heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens (1 – 2 minutes).

Remove from the saucepan from heat. Stir in crumbs, coconut, and almonds. Press firmly and evenly into an ungreased 8″ x 8″ pan.

Second Layer

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (salted or unsalted)
• 2 Tbsp. and 2 Tsp. cream
• 2 Tbsp. vanilla custard powder
• 2 cups icing sugar

Place the butter, cream, custard powder, and icing sugar in a large bowl and using a hand-mixer, beat the mixture until light and fluffy (it will take a few minutes, and will appear to form balls of mush, but keep going!). Spread the mixture over bottom crust layer.

Third Layer

• 6 oz semi-sweet chocolate (or dark if you prefer)
• 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

In a small saucepan, over low heat, melt the chocolate and butter until smooth and glossy. Allow the mixture to cool slightly (room temperature). Once cool, but still liquid, pour over second layer, spread out into an even layer.

Cover the pan with seran wrap, and place in the fridge to cool & set.  It will take a few hours.  Alternatively, you can cover it with seran wrap and place them immediately into the freezer.  Once they are frozen, remove, slice into individual squares, and then place back in the freezer (this makes quick treats easier!)

Enjoy!

Recipe from The City of Nanaimo