5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

I must admit that I am really looking forward to the movie, The Hunger Games. I'm not the only one. It premiered this weekend and has already brought in revenue of $155 million. Steve and I bought Keely the trilogy for Christmas, and I read them myself in January. The story is set in the future in a nation that consists of a rich Capitol and surrounding, poorer districts which cater to the Capitol's needs. Each year, one boy and one girl from the poor districts are selected by lottery and forced to participate in the "Hunger Games." This is a televised event where the participants must fight to the death in a dangerous outdoor arena until only one remains. The heroine in the movie is 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who volunteers in place of her younger sister, and she kicks butt.

As I read these books, I couldn't help but think how I would soooooo be the first one out in this kind of a competition. Seriously. I'm the one who panics in pretty much any situation much less a dangerous one. But in the spirit of The Hunger Games, I am going to give you the most dangerous cake recipe in the world. That's right. And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now all of us are only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of day or night! Now that's my kind of danger.

I first got this recipe from my cousin in Texas. (Thanks, Janie!) I instantly thought I would love it, and I was right. In addition to the minimal time requirements, I love the fact that you can satisfy your sweet tooth without having to make an entire cake. Since it doesn't have icing, I think it tastes more like a chocolate muffin (which I love, too) rather than a chocolate cake. If you want to raise the danger level, you can make your own individual mixes ahead of time with the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, cocoa, and chocolate chips. Then, you'll be only 4 minutes away from chocolate cake any time of day or night! Hmmmm . . . maybe I have a little bit of Katniss in me after all?

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons flour
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 3 tablespoons chocolate chips (The original recipe states that these are optional. I always take those kind of statements as a joke.)
• Small splash of vanilla extract
• 1 large coffee mug that is microwaveable

Directions:
Add dry ingredients to mug. Mix well. Add the egg, milk and oil. Mix well. Stir in chocolate chips and vanilla extract. Cook in the microwave on high for 3 minutes. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed. (Come on, you can do it. We're coping with danger here.) Allow to cool a little. Either eat straight from the mug or tip out onto a plate if desired.