Chocolate Galore!

So, due to digging through various vegan/raw cheesecake and dessert recipes, I decided I really wanted something sweet. At the suggestion of a recipe, I went and made vegan/raw friendly hot chocolate. Simple, and as follows.


1 mug of hot water
1-2 tablespoons of cocoa powder (I used 2, but I like my stuff ridiculously chocolately)
2-4 tablespoons of agave nectar (I probably used 4, but I also like ridiculously sweet)

Fill your mug with hot water, add your desired amount of cocoa powder. Keep in mind, it won't mix in cold water, so don't fret. Pop it in the microwave for about 1 minute, remove, stir well, and add your nectar. Stir well again, then nuke for another minute or so to heat up to your desired temperature. Then enjoy!

You can use any type of milk, if you want... but with cocoa powder, straight up milk will likely be very rich... so go with water or soy/nut milk.


As I was sitting there enjoying my very tasty hot chocolate, I decided I really wanted cake. Obviously, I wasn't going to go out and buy some, and I didn't have the oomph at 9 PM to be baking a cake from scratch. My solution? Chocolate Mug Cake! (Though, calling it cake is a little misleading. It's actually somewhere between a cake and a brownie in texture.)

WARNING: This is not gluten-free or vegan friendly, although with a little creativity, I bet substitutions could be made to make it work. Gluten-free flour and egg substitute, maybe? As for the milk, I used lactose-free in mine, which worked just fine - play with it a little, you might be able to use the rice or soy milks as well.

1/4 cup flour
5 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract (or less)
1 large coffee mug (Microwavable)



3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)

1.) Add the flour, sugar, and cocoa to your mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
2.) Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
3.) Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
4.) Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 2 minutes.
5.) The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
6.) Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

Notes:

*It will look a little spongy when it's done, don't be alarmed - it's done. Though, you can check it with a fork if you're paranoid like I am.

*Two minutes is an estimate, anything more than 2 1/2 minutes will overcook it.

*When it says 'mix well' it really means mix well. Otherwise, you'll find nuked pieces of flour at the bottom of your cup.. which is not tasty upon taking your last bite.

*For a little variety, add a dash of cinnamon like I did. It tastes great!


So that's it! My solution to, "Oh my gawd I want dessert."

Now if only I had some coconut ice cream to go with it....