nutella mug cake

Ever have that sweet tooth craving that you just can't seem to satisfy after supper? You don't really want to bake a whole cake, or make a whole pie, or an entire batch of cookies. You really just want a single serving of something tasty. Well, look no further, you've found the solution! This sweet treat takes less than 5 minutes to make from start to finish and is melt in your mouth good! And if you don't like nutella, feel free to leave it out. You can't really even taste it, but I think it makes the cake extra moist.

what you'll need:

• 4 Tbsp. self-rising flour
• 4 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 egg
• 3 Tbsp. cocoa powder
• 3 Tbsp. milk
• 3 Tbsp. canola oil
• 3 Tbsp. nutella
• an extra large mug

how you'll do it:

put all ingredients in your mug and mix well with fork

put in microwave for 1 min; take out and stir

put in for another 30-60 seconds as you watch it rise

be sure to watch it because if it cooks too long it will be dry, 

and a dry cake is no good 

if all goes well, it will look something like this:

now pour yourself a glass of ice cold milk and enjoy!

recipe adapted from Family Kitchen

tye-dye cupcakes

Thanks again to Pinterest for this great idea! This recipe puts a unique and fun twist on plain white cupcakes. It is super easy and very bright!

what you'll need:

• 1 box white cake mix + ingredients
• food coloring

how you'll do it:

• mix cake mix according to directions on box
• separate batter into bowls (one bowl per color)

pick the colors that you want to use and add to each bowl until pleased with color

add in random order to cupcake pan

 bake according to directions on box and let cool

top with icing and enjoy!

check out the awesome colors!

cake pops

Well if you've been on Pinterest lately or any other site that offers holiday treat recipes, you may be familiar with cake pops. If not, allow me the pleasure of the introduction :)

Cake pops are super easy, albeit time-consuming, to make. Today, my friend Tessa and I made some together.

what you'll need:

• 1 box cake mix
• 1 can icing
• baker's chocolate
• sprinkles, if desired
• wooden skewers

how you'll do it:

• cut wooden skewers in half (these will be the sticks for the cake pops)
• bake the cake according to instructions on box in 2 square or round pans
• set the cake on cooling racks until cool
• in a large [very large] bowl, crumble the cake

add can of icing to cake, stir until combined well in a thick consistency

using a small 'cookie dough' scoop, scoop out the cake/icing mix

• put all cake balls in the freezer to harden

using a double boiler, melt baker's chocolate, put wooden skewer in cake ball and dip in the chocolate until covered

place on a wax-paper lined cookie sheet and add sprinkles

Viola! And as easy as that you have a fun and tasty treat to share!

For today's batch, we used strawberry cake and  icing. I have also used funfetti cake and icing. 

Other ideas for cake/icing combinations:

• chocolate cake with chocolate icing
• chocolate cake with vanilla icing
• vanilla cake with chocolate icing
• strawberry cake with chocolate icing
• pumpkin spice cake with cream cheese icing

What kind of cake pops did you make?