Hot Cocoa Mug Cake Food

HOT COCOA MUG CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray four 6-inch cake pans with cooking spray.
• Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions. Divide the batter among the prepared pans and bake until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Cool on a rack 10 minutes, then unmold and cool completely.
• For the buttercream frosting: Beat the sugar, butter and salt with an electric mixer on medium speed in a large bowl until incorporated. Add the vanilla, increase the speed to medium high and mix until smooth. Mix in enough milk to make it spreadable. Reserve 1/2 cup frosting in a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Mix food coloring into the remaining frosting to desired color.
• For the decorations: Cut off the domed tops of the cake rounds with a serrated knife so they are completely flat (save the trimmings for another use). Using a paring knife or 5-inch round cutter, cut a 5-inch circle from the center of one cake round, making sure to keep the outer ring intact (this will be the rim of the mug). Trim the cutout circle to a thickness of 1 inch, then use a paring knife to cut out a handle that is about 4 inches long and 2 inches wide. While you assemble the cake, freeze the handle on a small plate until very firm (this will make it easier to frost).
• Place a cake round cut-side up on a cake stand or serving platter. Spread with a thin layer of frosting almost to the edge. Top with another cake round and spread with a thin layer of frosting. Repeat with a third round. Top with the cake ring. Frost the entire cake with a thin layer of frosting to make a crumb coat (you don't need to frost the inside of the ring). Spread a thin layer of frosting on the handle. Freeze the cake and handle until the frosting is set and the handle is firm, about 30 minutes.
• Frost the cake--excluding the center cutout on the top--with more frosting. Smooth the sides and rim with an offset spatula. Frost the handle.
• Hold the handle gently against the cake and insert two to four 4-inch skewers to attach it. Smooth over any smudges in the frosting on the handle. Pipe a stripe of the reserved white frosting around the top and bottom of the mug (or wrap with strips of sour candy rope).
• When ready to serve, fill the cavity at the top of the cake with the pudding and spread flat to the rim with an offset spatula. Just before serving, top with whipped cream, leaving a rim of pudding showing.

BASIC MUG CAKES

Steps:

• Lightly butter 4 small microwave-safe mugs. Whisk 1/2 cup each sugar and buttermilk, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 1 egg and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in a large bowl until smooth, about 2 minutes. Whisk in 1/2 cup flour, 1/8 teaspoon baking soda and a pinch of salt until just combined. Pour 1/3 cup batter into each mug. Microwave, one at a time, until puffed and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 2 minutes. (Continue microwaving in 15-second intervals, if needed.) Let cool slightly. Top as desired.
• Variations
• Confetti: Make Basic Mug Cakes, adding 2 teaspoons rainbow sprinkles to each mug before adding the batter; stir. Top with whipped cream and more sprinkles.
• Strawberry Shortcake: Make Basic Mug Cakes, adding 1 chopped strawberry and 1 tablespoon white chocolate chips to each mug before adding the batter; stir. Top with more chopped strawberries.
• Triple Chocolate: Make Basic Mug Cakes, using only 1/3 cup flour; add 2 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder with the flour. Top with chocolate ice cream and chocolate sprinkles.
• Chocolate Chip: Make Basic Mug Cakes, using dark brown sugar instead of granulated. Add 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips to each mug before adding the batter; stir. Top with vanilla ice cream and more mini chocolate chips.
• Gluten-Free Blueberry Cheesecake: Lightly butter 4 small microwave-safe mugs. Microwave 8 ounces cream cheese in a large microwave-safe bowl until soft, about 30 seconds. Whisk in 1 large egg, 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar (make sure your brand is gluten-free), 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon each lemon juice and vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Pour 1/4 cup batter into each mug; stir 1 teaspoon dried blueberries into each. Microwave, one at a time, until puffed, about 2 minutes. (Continue microwaving in 15-second intervals, if needed.) Let cool slightly. Top with blueberry preserves.

CHOCOLATE CAKE IN A MUG

Steps:

• Special equipment: a 12-ounce microwave-safe ceramic mug and a microwave oven
• Put the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt if using in a 12-ounce microwave-safe ceramic mug. Blend thoroughly with a fork. Add the milk, vegetable oil and vanilla if using and blend until smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips.
• Microwave on high for 90 seconds. Do not overcook or the cake will be dry. Let cool for 2 to 3 minutes before eating.

HOT CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In an average-sized mug, mix together the flour, hot cocoa mix, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, baking powder, and chocolate chips until completely combined.
• In another mug of the same size, whisk together the melted butter and milk.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until they are completely combined and there are no lumps. Scrape the edges to make sure all of the batter is well mixed.
• Place the mug in the microwave and cook for 1 minute and 30 seconds, or until the top is no longer runny and is just slightly sticky. If it's not done after the initial cooking time, cook in 30-second intervals until done. (Not all microwaves have the same power and cooking times might vary.)
• Remove from the microwave and let cool for a minute or two. Top with the mini marshmallows and whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and chocolate shavings, if you like.

HOT COCOA CAKE ROLL

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat an 11-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet or jelly roll pan with cooking spray; line the bottom with parchment paper and spray the parchment. Beat the egg whites and cream of tartar with a mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form, 3 minutes. Gradually beat in 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Increase the speed to medium high; beat until stiff peaks form, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Whisk the egg yolks with the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, the oil, milk, vanilla and espresso powder in a large bowl. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt into a medium bowl; whisk into the yolk mixture until smooth. Stir one-third of the egg whites into the batter with a rubber spatula, then gently fold in the remaining whites in two batches. Spread the batter in the prepared pan; bake until the cake springs back when gently pressed, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes.
• Generously sift cocoa powder over the top of the warm cake and loosen the edges with a knife; lay a clean kitchen towel (not terry cloth) over the cake. Place another baking sheet over the towel and flip the cake with the baking sheets to invert it onto the towel. Remove the top baking sheet and parchment, then dust the cake with cocoa powder. Starting at a short end, roll up the cake and the towel together into a spiral. Transfer seam-side down to a rack and let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Beat the butter and salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until creamy, 2 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups marshmallow cream and the vanilla; increase the speed to medium high and beat until fluffy, 2 minutes. Reduce the speed to low. Beat in the confectioners' sugar, then the milk, then increase the speed to medium and beat until thick and spreadable.
• Gently unroll the cake. Spread the filling over the cake about 1/4 inch from the edges; reroll (without the towel). Trim the ends with a serrated knife, then transfer to a rack set on a baking sheet.
• Make the glaze: Microwave the chocolate with the heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth. Pour over the cake; spread to coat. Transfer to a platter and refrigerate 15 minutes.
• Microwave the remaining 1/4 cup marshmallow cream in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 5 seconds, until loose. Drizzle over the cake.

INSTANT CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Whisk 1/4 cup flour, 5 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 1 egg, 3 tablespoons milk, 3 tablespoons vegetable oil and a dash of vanilla extract and salt in a large mug until smooth. Microwave until puffed, about 2 minutes.
• Copyright (c)2011 Food Network Magazine, LLC. Published by Hyperion. Available wherever books are sold. All Rights Reserved. Photograph courtesy of Antonis Achilleos.

CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

Steps:

• Microwave the butter in a microwave-safe mug in 10-second increments until melted, 20 to 30 seconds. Crack the egg into a small bowl; add the vanilla and whisk to combine using a small whisk or fork. Pour the egg mixture into the mug over the butter and whisk to combine.
• Add the sugar, cocoa powder and salt and whisk until mostly smooth (a few lumps are O.K.). Scrape down the sides the best you can with a spoon or a small silicone spatula. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips, if desired.
• Cook in the microwave on high for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Sift a little confectioners' sugar on top or serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired. Dig in with a spoon.