13 Easy Microwave Mug Cakes Week 7: Chocolate Stout Mug Cake

Compliments of theKitchn
Recipe by Kirbie's Cravings

Hi Friends,

Can you believe we are in Week 7 of our 13 Easy Microwave Mug Cake series; how quickly time passes. This recipe is one you will want to share with everyone and a great idea for St. Patrick’s Day, put it on your calendar for March. It's even got a beer mug for the occasion. Unfortunately, they're clear mugs so you see the cooked cake sticking to the inside, which is not the most attractive presentation but you can overlook that after you taste it. If the presentation is truly not acceptable, some of the big box and craft stores sell ceramic beer mugs around St. Patrick's Day, so check them out...

NOTE: Much of the beer disappears when the cake cooks so you don’t really taste it. But what remains is the nuttiness of the stout, which goes great with the chocolate.

Now, let's get cooking...

Chocolate Stout Mug Cake

Yield: 1-2
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1.5 minutes
Total Time: 6.5 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 5 tablespoons white granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 2 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 egg (exclude if too spongy)
• 3 1/2 tablespoons milk
• Splash of vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 tablespoons oil
• 5 1/2 tablespoons Guinness beer

Directions
Mix all ingredients into a beer mug with a small whisk or fork until batter is smooth. Cook in microwave for approximately 1 1/2 minutes. Make sure not to overcook or the cake becomes rubbery.

Bon Appétit or Cheers!

Check back next Tuesday for another quick and easy Microwave Mug Cake from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Happy First Day of Summer

Courtesy of The Old Farmer's Almanac

Hi Friends,

We love Summer and wanted to share some information and great ways to celebrate the season with you. First, lets get information on the summer solstice facts—plus, fun ways to enjoy summer!

The timing of the solstice depends on when the Sun reaches its farthest point north of the equator.

The word solstice is from the Latin solstitium, from sol (sun) and stitium (to stop), reflecting the fact that the Sun appears to stop at this time (and again at the winter solstice).

In temperate regions, we notice the Sun is higher in the sky throughout the day, and its rays strike Earth at a more direct angle, causing the efficient warming we call summer.

This summer solstice is the day with the most hours of sunlight during the whole year; check your local Sun rise and set times—and how the day length changes!

Now, 10 Ways to Celebrate Summer...

How will you celebrate the solstice and all that extra daylight? Here are 10 ideas plus, some "summer essentials" from the Almanac.com General Store!

1. Light a bonfire: The solstice day was traditionally celebrated by dancing around the bonfires. Check out our dramatic fire bowls and fire pits.

2. Go fishin': We love to get out on the water. Consult our free Best Days for Fishing chart—plus, tackle-box and bait tips.

3. Plant a seed or a tree: Traditionally, to the farmer, the solstice is the midpoint of the growing season, halfway between planting and harvesting, and an occasion for celebration. Browse our neat seeds kits and containers.

4. Cook outside: There's nothing as tasty as grilled food. Have a big cook-out on the solstice. Get a taste of our mouthwatering Grilling and BBQ sauces.

5. Camp: Plan a camp-out to enjoy the great outdoors whether it's a tent in the backyard or a cabin in the woods! Check out the camping store page for some fun ideas. Don't forget the best natural insect repellent on Earth to enjoy the outdoors in peace.

6. Listen to songbirds: We love our feathered friends. Attact birds to your garden with our beautiful bird feeders.

7. Get pampered. Midsummer Day, near the solstice, was said to make old people look younger. It was also thought that walking barefoot in the dew would keep one's skin from getting chapped. Summer certainly does cure the winter dries. You can also check out popular gardener's lotions and fisherman's soaps to soften calloused working hands. There's even an "annulment of time" rejuvenating cream!

8. Let the light in! With all this extra daylight, hang one of our gorgeous suncatchers or decorative accents for your window or porch. Here is the Almanac suncatcher, shot in our town of Dublin, NH, against the backdrop of Dublin Lake.

9. Read a book. Temperatures rise and lazy days ensue. Relax on the beach or the porch and read up on gardening tips, natural health, and more. See our great books and guides.

10. Watch the night sky! In ancient Egypt, the new year was celebrated when the star Sirius rose around the time of sunrise. This roughly coincided with the summer solstice and the annual flooding of the Nile River. Click for our free monthly Sky Map and explore the night sky fom your own backyard!

Enjoy these lovely hot Summer days...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

13 Easy Microwave Mug Cakes Week 6: Carrot Cake Mug Cake

Compliments of theKitchn
Recipe by Spicy Treats

Hi Friends,

Well, it's been fun sharing these delicious mug cake receipts, hope you have enjoyed eating and sharing them with your friends and family. Mug cakes are very simple with instant preparation and such satisfying taste, but above all, they're microwave easy recipes. We love this carrot mug cake a lot; so soft and delicious - hope you agree. A Must Try recipe!!!

Now to the recipe...

Ingredients

• 6 tbsp All Purpose Flour
• 2 tbsp Brown or White Sugar
• 1/4 tsp Baking Powder
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1/8 tsp Cinnamon/li>
• 1/8 tsp Nutmeg Powder(optional)
• 6 tbsp Buttermilk(chilled)
• 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
• 1/4 tsp Vanilla or Vanilla Imitation
• 3 tbsp Carrot(finely grated)
• 1 tbsp Almonds or Nuts chopped)
• 1 tbsp Raisins (chopped)

Method

• Take a small bowl, add sifted flour,brown sugar,baking powder, salt, cinnamon and mix well with whisk/fork.
• In another bowl, add buttermilk,oil,vanilla, grated carrot and mix well using spoon.
• Add flour mixture to the liquid ingredients and mix well.
• Stir in chopped almonds.nuts and raisins.
• Pour the batter in a 10oz microwave safe mug and microwave on high power for 2 or 2 1/2 minutes.
• Let set 30 seconds

That's it...

Delicious, soft Carrot cake ready to eat. Enjoy warm with honey or chocolate syrup.

Bon Appétit...

Check back next Tuesday for another quick and easy Microwave Mug Cake from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Happy Father's Day!

Hi Friends,

Strong hands, Gentle heart, Quiet wisdom, Great love, these are the important things that make a Wonderful father.

Happy Father's Day!

Check back for more creative ideas and enjoy all the timeless treasures of Father's Day; the warmth of home, the love of family and the company of good friends.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

13 Easy Microwave Mug Cakes Week 5: Chocolate Hazelnut Mug Cake

Compliments of theKitchn
Recipe by Running to the Kitchen

Hi Friends,

Welcome to Week 5 of our 13 Week Mug Cake series. Hopefully, you are now a mug cake fan and sharing our blog with all your friends and family. After all, we love sharing, right? Satisfy a chocolate craving in 5 minutes flat, who doesn't love that?

Let's get started...

Chocolate Hazelnut Mug Cake



Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons AP flour
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• 1½ tablespoon Justin’s chocolate hazelnut butter
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 egg (exclude if too spongy)
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce
• 1½ tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons milk

Suggestion: Substitute Oil with Avocados from Mexico

Instructions
1. Combine all ingredients in a large, greased mug and whisk together well with a fork.

2. Microwave for 2-3 minutes until fully cooked.

3. Top with whipped cream if desired.

Notes: If you don’t have Justin’s, Nutella would be a great substitute.

Bon Appétit Mug Cake Lovers, see you next week...

Check back next Tuesday for another quick and easy Microwave Mug Cake from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

13 Easy Microwave Mug Cakes Week 4: Banana Mug Cake with Coffee Ice Cream

Compliments of theKitchn
Recipe by Love Swah

Hi Friends,

This is the 4th week of our 13 Easy Microwave Mug Cakes and one I'm confident you will enjoy. First we have dark chocolate, then salted caramel, followed by S’mores. Let's refer to this mug cake as “breakfast in a cup” as it combines two very popular breakfast items – banana bread and coffee! But you will want to eat this any time of day.

The banana ensures this cake is super moist and dense, and it’s literally like eating a hybrid banana bread-pudding in a mug! We could say it’s a healthier version than cafe-bought banana bread due to the relatively low amounts of butter, sugar and flour but it's covered in ice cream, Sorry!



Ingredients

• 1 tbsp butter, melted (or flavourless oil)
• 1 egg (lightly beaten)-(exclude if too spongy)
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1 ripe banana (mashed)
• 3 tbsp plain flour
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 scoop of coffee ice cream to serve

Instructions
1. Put butter into mug and microwave for 10 seconds to melt.

2. Add in egg and milk and lightly beat with a fork until combined.

3. Add mashed banana into the mug and continue stirring with you fork until mixed through.

4. Finally, add dry ingredients into the mug and beat with your fork until combined.

5. Place mug in the microwave and cook for 1 minute on medium heat.

6. The pudding should be risen and still slightly gooey in the middle. If still undercooked for your liking, cook it further in 10 second bursts in the microwave.

7. Serve with a generous scoop of coffee ice cream.

Enjoy and Bon Appétit Mug Cake Lovers!!!

Check back next Tuesday for another quick and easy Microwave Mug Cake from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne