Okay you creative minds, I have the responsibility of coming up with "Hospitality Gifts"

REC: Chocolate Cake in a Mug

Chocolate Cake in a Mug
Mix one 18.5-oz. pkg. chocolate cake mix with one 4-serving pkg.instant chocolate pudding mix.
Generously grease or spray the inside of a microwave-safe soup mug.
Mix 1 egg, 1 Tbs. vegetable oil, and 1 Tbs. water together. Add 1/2 cup of cake mix mixture.
Stir until all ingredients are combined. Put into prepared mug.
Microwave at 30% power (defrost on my micro) for 2 minutes. Cook 1 minute more at high power. .
Let cake cool in mug for 1 or 2 minutes
Note: If the microwave does not have a turntable, rotate 1/2 turn each minute.
Topping suggestions: Ice the cake with Nutella or combine 1/4 cup powdered sugar with 1 Tbs. chocolate syrup

I made these last year for my co-worker's kids. I gave them a copy of the recipe so that they could make up some more.

 
Not sure how much effort you want to put into it, but what about a serving of

hot cocoa mix (with cinnamon red hearts) and some homemade marshmellows? Or a single serving of shaved Ibarra Mexican hot chocolate?

If you do the Ibarra idea, one of our local cafes serves a Mexican mocha with the Ibarra chocolate. If you've ever used it, it's a pain to chop. What the cafe does is warm the chocolate slightly (they put it on top of the espresso machine, but you could probably microwave it for a couple seconds). Then it's softer and a bit easier to cut in large pieces. They take the large pieces and whirl them in a blender to chop them fine.

It's my ideal winter comfort-food beverage. smileys/smile.gif

 
Dawn, here's gift I like to give during the season. I believe it was posted here or

on the old Gail's site by Sue Z Q.

I visit the bulk spices at my local grocery store and make about 10 x this recipe. Then I give it out in little ziploc or cello bags, tied with a short direction for use.

It's a great thing for people to have on hand during the holidays when sometimes, it's difficult enough just trying to get where you're going...let alone pick out something fabulous to bring for a nibble.

I bring this spice mix, a small bottle of olive oil, and a baguette. Often times at the beginning of the season I'll buy a bunch of shallow ramekins (the low dishes they make creme brulee in work great) and then serve the dip in one...and leave the dish with the host...along with what's left of the spice mix and olive oil as a gift.

People never fail to beg for the recipe. It falls under the stupidly simple category, but remains a favorite.

Carraba's Italian Dip Mix (Sue Z Q's note: my boys call it Sacred Oil)

Mix: 1 T. crushed red pepper
1 T. black pepper
1 T. dried oregano
1 T. dried rosemary (I used this in one
recipe, & not in another - both are good)
1 T. dried parsley
1 T. garlic powder
1 T. garlic - minced
1 tsp. salt

Grind together & put 1 T. of mixture on a
plate. Pour extra virgin olive oil over &
mix. (I used regular olive oil) Dip crusty
bread into the mixture. Its to die for.

 
Great idea to warm it first. I never thought of that, and it is a major pain to chop.

I have some sitting on my counter right now.

 
Cute ideas...I have a pattern for knitted felted fortune cookies.

That would be cute presented in take-out boxes, with the "saying" written on a piece of ribbon and inserted into the fortune cookie. Thanks Colleen.

 
Thanks Betty,

I am planning on making the Sugared Cranberry Mix for the birthday party I am cooking for. I am going to do a Ranch Trail Mix and the Cranberry one. Thanks again.

 
I think so. It would be like a cupcake, only it's a bit gooey, like pudding-cake. The mug must be

tested for the oven. I would try baking one for about 15-20 minutes.

 
Oh, this Carraba's dip mix is so good! and makes such a nice basket with a pretty bottle of oil.

You could buy small fancy bottles and re-bottle some nice olive oil to package in a basket with this mix and some breadsticks.

 
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