Chocolate Mug Cake - Microwave Recipe

It's 4 on the clock, the sun is beginning to retreat while casting long shadows on the streets. There's the lull, one that usually follows a lazy afternoon siesta. Help! Instant mood lifter needed. Not to forget the choti-choti bhook. What would be the best pick... Tea? Coffee? Nah, how about Hot Chocolate? Yikes No! So much milk will surely put anyone to sleep. Samosa? Oil Alert! What to do then to get my quick fix?

Ta Da! Chocolate to the rescue. Confused? Well I'm not talking about your everyday chocolate bar but about a delicious, moist chocolate cake! Can there be anything better than a soft, nutty cake? Definitely...A cake that cooks in under 5 minutes! That's right, a personal size cake portion in under 5 minutes. Quick yummy snack anyone?

I found myself craving a chocolate cake one evening and stumbled upon this mug cake recipe on www.tablefortwoblog.com , I tweaked it slightly to suit my tastes and loved the outcome. A moist, chocolaty mini cake. The best part, it is egg-less!

So, here's getting started:

Preparation Time: 5 mins | Cook Time: 2-3 mins

SUPPLIES

• Microwave oven
• Microwave safe mug or bowl

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup refined flour/maida
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (I used drinking chocolate)
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp milk
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• very small pinch of salt
• 2-3 drops vanilla essence (optional)
• 1/2 tbsp chopped walnuts

METHOD

1. Take your mug or bowl and add in all dry ingredients (maida, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, salt). Mix well to get uniform texture.
2. Next slowly add milk into the mug while stirring. Make sure no lumps are formed.
3. Add in remaining wet ingredients and mix well to get a smooth consistency. 
4. Add nuts on the top or mix them in depending on your choice. I left mine on the surface.
5. Now your batter is ready for cooking. Place the mug inside the microwave oven and set time for 120 seconds (2 min) at full power(900 W).
6. Keep checking if the batter is rising. The cakes appears to be boiling but will settle down.
7. Insert a knife or toothpick into the cake and check if it comes out clean. If not set it for 20-30 more seconds or till cooked.
8. Your hot chocolate mug cake is ready!

                                 

NOTES

• You can use a separate mixing bowl for the preparation part if you are not comfortable mixing in your mug. There is no need for any greasing or buttering as the cake is meant to be consumed directly from the mug. Pour the batter into the mug before cooking.
• I used a microwave safe bowl as I din't have a mug. The important thing here is that your vessel should be big enough to accommodate the rising cake. Be careful to keep the batter level in the mug low so that it doesn't spill over.
• The amount of sugar can be adjusted depending on your taste. I used brown sugar and the cake turned out very sweet for me.
• Adding essence is completely optional as it did not contribute much to the flavor. I usually add it to my recipes out of habit.
• And please forgive the bad quality photos. I'm still getting a hang. :)