I’ve been asked a number of times over the years about scaling down recipes to serve one person. I’ve recently uncovered notes on recipes I used when I was single and lived alone, and I’ll post them here from time to time.

I’ve spent my weekend reflecting on the very busy (and long) week that just ended. All of that introspection has left me craving comfort foods. Part of that crazy week involved pulling something in my neck doing yard work, so my normal comfort foods that involve actual cooking are out of the question. Fortunately, I have a recipe that requires very little work, and the only cooking required involves a microwave, which is about my speed right now.

This cake is certainly unconventional, and it doesn’t look entirely edible at first, but it is definitely delicious. The cake itself is not very sweet – you can adjust the overall sweetness to taste by altering the amount of brown sugar.

Microwave Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup flour
• 3 tablespoons granulated white sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, divided
• pinch salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 heaping teaspoon powdered milk
• 2 tablespoons brewed coffee, cooled
• 5 tablespoons granulated brown sugar
• 1/4 cup hot tap water

In a microwave-safe bowl, stir together flour, white sugar, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, butter, vanilla, powdered milk, and coffee. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over top and follow with remaining cocoa. Gently pour hot water over top. Microwave, uncovered, for 4 minutes on high. Let stand for 1 minute before removing from microwave.

The cake will have puffed up around the sauce that forms from the brown sugar, cocoa, and water glaze. Serve warm – but be careful not to burn your mouth!

Serves 1.

Image by Greynine

As a humble apology for missing yesterday’s post, I present you, my dear readers, with my favorite dessert recipe ever. It’s not quite a traditional tiramisu, but in my opinions, that’s what makes it so yummy. If you can’t find Margherites, you can use the traditional ladyfingers.

Tiramisu

Ingredients:

• 6 large eggs
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 5 tablespoons brandy
• 24 ounces mascarpone cheese
• 2 cups brewed espresso, cooled
• 1/4 cup kahlua
• 1 package Margherites
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder

Whisk eggs and sugar together in bain marie for about 10 minutes, or until custard forms ribbons and probe thermometer inserted in mixture reached 160 degrees. Set custard bowl over ice water and whisk another 10 minutes, or until mixture is room-temperature.

In a separate bowl, combine cheese and brandy; fold into custard.

Combine coffee and kahlua. Line the bottom of a 13 x 9″ baking dish with cookies and brush with coffee. Top layer with 1/2 of cheese/custard mixture. Repeat.

Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. Garnish with a dusting of cocoa powder.

Serves 8-10.

Image by Kolleggerium

Who doesn’t want a milkshake for breakfast every now and again? Whip this up on a lazy morning and cover your coffee, breakfast, and cravings all at once.

Mint Mocha Milkshake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups ice cubes
• 2 cups strong coffee, cooled
• 1/2 cup chocolate syrup
• 1 cup mint chocolate chip ice cream

Combine all ingredients in blender and mix well. Serve garnished with mint sprigs and a dusting of cocoa powder, if desired.

Serves 2.