...because life is delicious

Cloud City Cool Moon

Jun 12, 2016 | Elementary, Poem

illustration by Aggie Cheung

Cloud city cool moon

bridges peek through mist lagoon

 

soft slow river flow

vessels dock to rest below

 

cars honk and bikes speed

ribbons of road duck and weave

 

long sighs coffee whirls

moist spirals and chocolate swirls

 

silent wings song shy

stars pin night’s cloak to the sky

 

plip plop water drop

falls thunder by moss and rock

 

wood, steel, cabbage field

pigs dig and logs conceal

 

thick socks toasty feet

stories, beads, and recipes

Dark Chocolate Mug Cake

makes 2 (12 oz) mugs

prep time: 10 minutes
cook time: 30 minutes
total time: 40 minutes

ingredients

1/2 cup all­ purpose flour

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp espresso powder

1/4 cup whole organic chocolate milk

1/8 cup vegetable oil

1/2 egg

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup boiling water

1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

vanilla ice cream

sliced strawberries

ingredients

1/2 cup all­ purpose flour

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp espresso powder

1/4 cup whole organic chocolate milk

1/8 cup vegetable oil

1/2 egg

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup boiling water

1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

vanilla ice cream

sliced strawberries

instructions

Preheat oven to 325ºF

Spray two (12 oz) oven safe mugs lightly with cooking spray.

Add flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt and espresso powder to a large bowl. Whisk until combined.

Beat milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla in another bowl until mixed. Pour liquids into the flour mixture and mix together until well combined. Pour the boiling water into the cake batter. Using a whisk, mix vigorously about 1 minute to add air to the batter. Add the chocolate chips.

Distribute the cake batter evenly between the mugs. Mugs should be about 1/2 full.

Place the mugs into the oven, and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove from the oven. Allow mugs to cool to room temperature.

Serve with a scoop of ice cream and strawberries.

 

 

Adapted from Add a Pinch

Author’s Notes

In the kitchen
Oven safe mugs are typically stoneware and porcelain, white with no décor, and have an oven safe stamp on the bottom. I used Logan Stacking Mugs from Crate & Barrel, which are oven-safe up to 350°F.

 

In life
This poem was inspired by a trip to Portland, Oregon – the land of coffee and chocolate. It describes a rainy evening in the city vs. the countryside and how both experiences turn to the comfort of food at the end of the night.