Mugs Not Drugs
By the time you read this post, I’ll probably be clutching my coffee for dear life, trying to stay awake in my second week of early morning Chemistry lectures, and day-dreaming of Banana Maple Mug Cakes.
I’m writing this Tuesday evening after a yet another marathon study session, post-class. Eking out a blog entry is the last thing I want to do right now as the bed beckons, but I won’t let you guys down. Plus… I have a very tasty treat to share.
As I attempted to stay awake this evening while trying to memorize a bajillion polyatomic ions and their charges, I contemplated what would give me a nice pick-me-up.
In college, I probably would have slammed a latte. Then if I was still wide awake when I was done, I could always hit the bar with my friends (2 for Tuesday, right?!). At least it was better than popping those little blue pills making the rounds in the dorm. Maybe.
Now a days though, I know better. If I drink any caffeine after about 3 p.m., I’ll be up all night. Not good for brains or beauty.
So instead of finding my stamina through stimulants, I found it in a sweet treat.
This Banana Maple Mug Cake is so quick and easy to make and it doesn’t have a ton of sugar to keep you wired all night. Just enough sweetness to keep you alert for doing Chemistry (blah) or watching chemistry (The Bachelor, Juan Pablo, swoon).
Banana Maple Mug Cake
Ingredients:
1/4 C. Almond Flour
1/2 Mashed Banana
1 Egg
1/2 tsp. Maple Extract (can sub vanilla)
1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
Peanut Butter or PB2 for topping (optional)
Directions:
1. Mix everything together in a bowl.
2. Spray a mug with cooking spray and pour in mixture. Microwave for about 2 1/2 minutes.
4. Top with your favorite fixings. I used sliced bananas, chia seeds, and PB2.
5. Enjoy!
Total Calories: 290 (w/o topping)
It tastes just like banana bread..mmmm.
Happy Wednesday! #MugsNotDrugs
*This post is linked to What I Ate Wednesday and Real Food Wednesday.
Pam says:
Oh m g, that looks so good! I love anything maple banana-y and is what I need right now for an afternoon pick me up!
thanks for sharing, gotta try this asap!
Whitney English says:
You’re welcome! Enjoy!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says:
I used to legit drink 5 coffees a day in college. Now I get shaky with one! Mug cakes though? Give me all of them!
Lee says:
I drink like a half a pot of coffee. But it used to be a full pot a day. I”M GETTIN BETTER! #yeah
Whitney English says:
#Progress :)
Whitney English says:
Same! I stick to one cup of coffee a day now, followed by massive amounts of tea, water, and the occasional Zevia :)
Marina @ Lazy for Diet says:
Excellent recipe! I will surely try it when I will come back home to my mother. Because I have no microwave in a campus ;) When I learn something late (such as yesterday before examination) – I pour to myself a big cup of cocoa. I believe that chocolate is capable to give to energy!
Whitney English says:
Mmmm, I can see how cocoa would do the trick!
Ashley @ Brocblog says:
omg i have all these ingredients- I know what Im doing for my after work snack.
Whitney English says:
Don’t you just love it when that happens :)
Kristina @ Damn Ten Pounds says:
I think college broke me. Coffee doesn’t do a damn thing for me anymore. When I’m working late, I light a candle and put music on. I don’t know why it helps me focus, but it’s worked since school. Maybe the fear of falling asleep and setting the house on fire has something to do with it :)
Whitney English says:
Haha, I’ll have to try that method!
Ellen says:
Such a cute little cake! I too drank gallons of coffee in college. I alternate it with green tea now, which is a bit more mellow.
Whitney English says:
Love green tea as an alternative! I add a little bit of lemon to mine.
Jody - Fit at 56 says:
Smart move & that looks amazing!!!!!!!
Whitney English says:
Thanks Jody!
GiGi Eats Celebrities says:
LOVE!!! :D Make it with coconut flour next time and let me know how that goes. Better yet, bring the coconut flour over here and lets put our lab coats on and experiment! HEY – it’s like chemistry, RIGHT?!?!?! Lets put some of your knowledge to use baby! ;) PLUS: I MISS YOU! My goodness, going from seeing you all the time to a Whitney drought – NOT OKAY! Je ne suis pas heureux!! When I whip out the French, that means SOMETHING! ;)
Whitney English says:
What does it all mean?!?!? I guess I’ll have to wait till our reunion. I’ll bring coconut flour :)
Kathryn @ Illustrated Nutrition says:
I’m impressed you had the energy to write this fabulous post despite being so tired from your chem class! I know when I get to that point (and already have the first week of school), I just go to sleep because the post that I try to write ends up containing meaningless rambles that make absolutely no sense. Oh, the joy of being an old person back in school (sigh). ;)
Whitney English says:
We’re just not as spry as we used to be, huh?!
zozo says:
Good luck with your classes!! I always found Wolfram Alpha to be helpful with homework :D — http://www.wolframalpha.com/examples/Chemistry.html
The mug cake looks super yummy! I always see the chocolate but this is more along my tastes. Will give it a go tonight
Whitney English says:
This is awesome!! Thank you so much for sharing! So appreciative :)
Arman @ thebigmansworld says:
Ooo I limit myself to 2 coffees a day, but recently I think the effects have worn off and I’m tempted to introduce a third….oops.
Mug cakes are awesome for a sweet treat in a pinch- I usually have greek yogurt before bed, or a casein pudding thing. An edible sleeping pill. Hope your enjoying being back to the studious grind :)
Whitney English says:
Hmm I’ve never had greek yogurt as a late night snack. Frozen yogurt though? By the quart! I’ll have to try it out sometime.
anne says:
This looks quick and yummy! In regards to coffee, I totally overdid it in grad school and found later than Peet’s Jasmine tea is amazing for keeping me awake and my focus on, without dipping afterwards- try it! I tried other green teas, and there is nothing like Peet’s seriously. Also carry an evian brumisateur to spray on your face to keep you awake in class and while you study :).
Whitney English says:
Oh, love the evian tip! A burst of cool water will definitely keep me awake no matter how boring moles and binary equations get :)
Brittany Leigh says:
My mouth is watering just looking at this. I love making mug cakes, but haven’t tried anything close to this. Definitely on my to-do list now!
Whitney English says:
Let me know what you think!
Alex @ Kenzie Life says:
Mmm I love mugcakes. They are so good! I used to drink way too much coffee during my undergrad years, even if it was 10 or 11 at night. Now I just go to sleep if I can’t stay awake, because I know that I”m not going to remember whatever it is I’m trying to study anyway. Chemistry sounds rough though! Good luck!
Whitney English says:
Thanks Alex! I’m hanging in there…by a thread!
Jenny @ The Wellness Journey says:
This looks AMAZING! Can’t wait to try it! And I completely DON’T envy you with the chemistry lectures! #thanksbutnothanks
Whitney English says:
Haha #IdRatherBeBaking :)
Dale Janee says:
OMG Whitney I feel for you – I remember staying up all night studying in college so it’s so impressive you’re back for your Masters. This snack looks soo delicious and I wish I had better tips for staying awake all night alert. The only thing I know is drinking coffee at midnight to stay up can make you feel really awake – but not thinking clearly. A late night jog will work naturally – I used to go to the gym around 11-12 am which easily kept me up til 3 am. :) Good luck!
xoDale
http://www.savvyspice.com
Whitney English says:
That’s a great idea! I took Mr. Chow for a run around 7 pm one night this week and I definitely noticed a higher energy level for the rest of the evening. Now if I could only wait until 8pm to eat my dinner…
Rory Lazear says:
So all over this!!! it looks so yummy and the picture is gorgeous!!!! and gluten free!! so glad I stumbled upon your page deff going to be following it!
Whitney English says:
Thanks Rory! I got a new camera recently so the credit goes to Canon :)
Tonya@Healthy, Fit, and Frugal says:
I have everything but almond flower in my house right now but I’m tempted to run out and get some. I want that NOW! :) I can’t drink anything caffeinated past noon or I’ll be up all night too. Get some rest and pace yourself!
Whitney English says:
Go get some almond flour! I’m obsessed. There are so many great uses for it :)
Samantha Brown says:
This looks AMAZING to say the least. Banana bread is one of my favourite things but they’re usually so unhealthy. Plus I’ve never heard of a making a cake in a mug before so I can’t wait to try it! Thanks for the post :)
Sam xx
http://www.smart-twenties.com
Whitney English says:
You’re welcome! Mugcakes are the best, and even better when they’re filled with healthy banana bread! Hope you enjoy.
Sydney says:
That mug cakes looks heavenly! And so easy too. I’ve got to try it! Thanks for sharing :)
Whitney English says:
Share a pic on social and let me know if you do!
Francesca says:
Holy Yum! Will have to give these a whirl! Your blog is super cute… This Dietitian looks forward to following.
Whitney English says:
Awesome! Thanks for stopping by :)
Jordan Lynn // Life Between Lattes says:
I so love mug cakes – I have to try this one soon!
Whitney English says:
Let me know what you think!
Sahra says:
that looks SO GOOD
XO Sahra
Que Sera Sahra
Ellen says:
Added 2 T maple syrup to this recipe and it wad moist and delicious (working on weaning myself off refined sugar but not quite there yet)
Whitney English says:
I’ll bet it was great that way!!
starla says:
how did you make the syrup topping, just pb2?
Whitney English says:
Yep! PB2 mixed with a little water – regular PB would be tasty too!