Want a dessert ready in 5 minutes or less — with the caveat that you have a microwave — then this is it. Nutella Mug Cake! It takes 3 minute to whip together and about 2 minutes to microwave. The part that might take you the longest is finding a couple of pretty mugs (make sure they are microwave safe) and to dig through your pantry for the rest of the ingredients. Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream would make this dreamy. Minimum effort, more than maximum return!
Here is my annual Cake Day cake. I mention this every year, but I don’t make cakes all that often — I’m not very good at decorating / frosting, and even more so in the days of a global pandemic, making cupcakes as not to share food is better anyway. That said, one day out of the year, I do make a cake, so this year is no different. I love the combination of coconut and chocolate so this celebratory has both cake types and frosting types, in addition to garnet-colored sugar flowers as they are the January birthstone color. Here’s to being 50, I guess!
Starting off 2022…. I bought a pineapple. I don’t do that very often because about half way through, I realize that pineapple is pretty acidic and I lose interest. But I felt like buying a pineapple for it’s symbolism. There are lots: warm welcomes, celebration and hospitality, friendship. Have one (or a painting or sculpture of one in a doorway, and it might mean stop in for a chat. In addition, it reminds me of warm climates and it’s pretty yucky weather here in greater Boston to start out the new year, so maybe I subconsciously was dreaming of Hawaii or the tropics. Either which way, I decided to make the standard crumble bars to start of the new year. Delicious, as always.
I found a similar recipe using delicata squash a while back and have finally gotten around to trying it — and wow, I am actually impressed at how delicious and flavorful this is. I mean, it’s nothing like a pumpkin pie or anything, but it is delicious, and if you aren’t a “pie person” this might be a good option as a Thanksgiving Day dessert. Definitely serve with ice cream and still slightly warm. Yum.
When in doubt, there is always a new type of crumble bars to try! This time, I went with a great combination of autumn flavors: figs and ginger. For those who don’t know, I absolutely love figs. I even have a Pinterest Board called “Getting Figgy with it”. 🙂 Anyway, figs and ginger, a buttery vanilla base and a few walnuts to top it off. Super yummy.