Confession of a lame indulgence

Okay, I was rewarded tonight for all of the extra work I've been putting in at my real job(s) with a carton of Whoppers. My husband brought them home and I know the chocolate is weak, but they're good, right?

I figure the malted milk center can't be all bad for you. Isn't malt in Malt-O-Meal? Isn't that something encouraged upon children for years (at least when I was young) but was only tolerable in the chocolate flavored variety? That reminds me, I have a really good muffin recipe that uses chocolate Malt-O-Meal that is tasty and probably keep you regular. I'll try to drag it out later.

Now, back to Whoppers. They come in funky packages that look like old fashioned milk cartons. It seems to help keep them from being smashed, if that is even possible. I like to put one in my mouth, suck off the chocolate, and then allow the malted milk center to dissolve on my tongue.

A few years back we went to Ohio and stopped at an Amish family restaurant-slash-gift shop. They also sold home made candies and among them were some AMAZING malted milk balls. They were probably double the size of Whoppers, with probably double the chocolate coating, and the chocolate was better (darker and less waxy). I still swoon a bit when I think of them. We found comparable ones at a Cracker Barrel but I still think the Amish ones are the finest.

But we can't all live in Ohio and have access to the Amish version of Whoppers or the cash (they were considerably more expensive) so we'll just have to make do. Whoppers are a nice treat and a really nice gesture for someone who has been working crazy hours. Don't forget the milk.

Chocolate cake? In 5 minutes?

Because I've received this recipe in a couple of different e-mails, I'm guessing it's okay to post here. I just tried it, and it ain't bad. In fact, it's pretty dang good. My own preferences are to use King Arthur Flour, Ghiradelli cocoa, and Ghiradelli semi-sweet chocolate chips. The texture isn't the same as a regular batter cake, but it's close enough.

I'm guessing a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream on the hot chocolate cake would be amazing, but I don't have either one. Eat it hot. I'm positive it's better that way.

I used an oversized mug (a soup mug) to make it but I'm not sure if it makes any difference. The chocolate chips kind of sank to the bottom but that's okay since it becomes the top of the cake when you turn it out and it was kind of like icing.

Okay, enough speculating. Just make it.

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (Microwave Safe)

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil and mix well..

Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

Now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!