Microwave Baking? Yes or No?

So, this is my first blog post and its about making a delicious treat when you are short of time, feeling lazy, forgot to get pudding, need cake or all of the above, but hey, who needs an excuse to bake and eat cake. Just to be clear, I am all for healthy, nutritious eating but everyone needs a treat once in a while!

Normally, I would steer clear of baking in the microwave but this recipe really changed my mind, it was totally scrumptious! I came across the recipe in a Tesco magazine which I just picked up randomly after doing the shopping. I must have been alone because I would not have been looking to the right or to the left if I had my daughter with me, making sure she wasn't kicking her boots off or eating through the foil of her Kinder egg because she couldn't wait until we got to the car.

I'm not sure when I had the time to look through the magazine but maybe few days later I found this recipe. I couldn't resist trying it out. The lure of a doughnut-like cake cooked in 1 minute was too strong. Approximately 5 minutes later I was happily ensconced on the sofa watching some home improvement show and happily munching my delicious treat. I found a scoop of vanilla icecream in the freezer and plopped it on the top to melt into the warm jammy goodness. Ah Bliss!

(Afterwards, I reflected, in my post cake stupor, that I really could have just had half the amount and still been quite satisfied so all the other times I made it I divided the mixture between two small ramekin dishes-well done me for not being a pig!)

So, without further ado, here is the recipe.

Jam Doughnut Cake

Ingredients

2 Tbsp granulated sugar

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

2 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil

1 large egg yolk

1 tbsp milk

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

4 tbsp plain flour *

1/2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp jam

Method

Mix the sugar and cinnamon together, then spoon 4 tsp into a small microwave-proof mug or cup (about 200-255ml). Mix in the oil, egg yolk, milk and vanilla followed by the flour and baking powder, until smooth.

Spoon the jam into the middle of the mix, then sprinkle 1 tsp of the remaining cinnamon sugar on top.

Microwave on high for 1 minute, until risen and firm on top. Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar and serve with extra jam if you like**.

Taz's Suggestions

* I have also made this recipe with gluten free flour (I used "freee" by DOVES FARM) and it turned out almost exactly the same as using regular flour so a great Gluten Free treat too!

** I found that i didn't need to use all the cinnamon sugar but thats just a personal preference. I have made this served with custard as well and it was again delicious!

I shared this recipe with one of my sisters and we were discussing different fillings and came up withe the following:

Blackforest - cherry and chocolate and topped with whipped cream

Choc Ginger - dark chocolate chips with a large spoonful of ginger in syrup

Apple - stewed apple and then serve with a caramel sauce

I'm going to give these all a try and I'll keep you posted as to how they turn out!

Well, thats the end of my first ever blog post, I really hope you enjoy it and give the recipe a try yourself. I'd love to hear from you and see pictures of you own jam doughnut cakes and let me know if you are a yes or no to this particular microwave bake!

Send emails and pics to info@taztalks.co.uk

much to

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