Chocolate Mug Cake

I had a super bad chocolate cake craving today at lunch. This was super yummy, not like real cake, but still super good!



Chocolate Mug Cake
Serves 2

5 tbsp flour
5 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp cocoa
Salt- a pinch
1/4 to 1/2 tsp Baking powder
1 egg
4 tbsp milk
4 tbsp oil
Pure vanilla extract- a dash
2 microwave-safe coffee mugs

Mix all the dry ingredients in a coffee mug to make the cake.
Beat the eggs slightly in a small mixing bowl and add the rest of the wet ingredients and mix well with a fork. Add in the dry mixture and mix well. Pour out half of the batter into each coffee mug. Microwave the coffee mugs,one at a time, half- filled with the batter, on high, for a minute. If it does not get done in a minute, keep for another 20-30 seconds. Do not overcook, you might end up with a dry cake. (I kept it for 1 minute and 20seconds)
Let it cool and dig in.

Mini Rhubarb Pies

I've been meaning to clean up my rhubarb plants for the past couple days and I finally got around to it last night. I was going to make a Rhubarb Pie for work today, but thats kind of difficult to eat on the job. So I came up with these.

Mini Rhubarb Pies

Serves 20 / 7 Points+

20 pre-made tart shells

1 to 1½ pounds rhubarb (about 5 cups ½-inch diced)
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup light brown sugar
¼ cup cornstarch
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Sanding sugar or granulated sugar, for sprinkling

Combine the diced rhubarb, both sugars, the cornstarch and salt in a medium saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the rhubarb releases its liquid and begins to breakdown, creating a thick, chunky sauce, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Set aside to cool to room temperature.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Spoon rhubarb filling into the center of each dough round (about 2 big spoonfuls), and place on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the filling bubbles a bit, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Black Bean Brownies

Just wanted to share this recipe. I made it last night and I have three 18 year old boys staying with me and the pan is almost gone! They are about half the points of a normal brownie!

Black Bean Brownies
1 (15.5 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
3 eggs
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 pinch salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon instant coffee (optional)
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips (optional)

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x8 square baking dish.
2.Combine the black beans, eggs, oil, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla extract, sugar, and instant coffee in a blender; blend until smooth; pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top of the mixture.
3.Bake in the preheated oven until the top is dry and the edges start to pull away from the sides of the pan, about 30 minutes.

Honestly you can't tell the difference! I didn't put in the coffee either.

Quick Apple Pies

Quick Apple Pies

Makes 4 Servings (1 point each)

1 can Pillsbury Crescent Dough (low fat)
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1 apple

Preheat oven to 375F. Cut the dough into 4 rectangle pieces. Pinch the seams together. Sprinkle with the sugar and cinnamon. Bake for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, peel and slice the apple into pieces. Add the brown sugar and lemon juice. Spread on the baked crescent dough, and bake for another 5-8 minutes.