Brownie in a Mug!

If you have ever just felt the need to eat chocolate, but you a) already ate your entire stash, b) don't want to put in the time/effort to make something, c) don't want to put in the time/effort to buy something, or d) all of the above, this recipe is for you! It takes three minutes from start to finish, and you get a warm, delicious, chocolatey brownie. It's just for one, but could be multiplied for more people. Now that fall is upon us, and winter is too close for comfort, it's nice to know that there's a quick, delicious, warm, chocolatey dessert that's just waiting to be eaten.

Ingredients (for ONE):

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 tbsp cocoa
• a pinch of salt
• 3 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp oil

Directions:

1. Stir all the dry ingredients together in the mug
2. Add the water and oil, stir until well combined
3. Put it in the microwave for a minute and a half (90 sec)
4. Let cool for about a minute, then eat it up!

Southwest Grilled Pizza

This is so good. It's so easy, and it's so good. There is very little prep involved, and you get such a delicious payoff. It's not really an entree, but it's great as an appetizer or for a party.

Ingredients

• 1 can black beans (rinsed)
• 1 can yellow corn
• barbecue sauce
• mozzarella cheese
• 1 prepared pizza crust (I used whole wheat)

Directions

1. Preheat the grill on medium heat
2. Drain and rinse the beans
3. In a medium mixing bowl, toss the beans and corn together until well mixed
4. Spread the barbecue sauce on the pizza crust (as much as desired)
5. Sprinkle with about half of the cheese (there will be more on top)
6. Evenly distribute the bean/corn mixture on top of the cheese
7. Spread with the rest of the cheese
8. Put the pizza directly on the grill, and cook for about 5 minutes, until cheese is melted

NOTE: If the bottom starts to char, you can finish it off in the broiler instead of risking it on the grill

Easy No Bake Cookies

These are the classic oatmeal, peanut butter and chocolate no bake cookies. They are delicious!

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• a pinch salt
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
• 3 cups oats

Directions

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Then stir in the milk, cocoa and sugar.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Boil for 1 minute, then take off the heat.
3. Stir in the vanilla, salt, peanut butter and oats.
4. Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let cookies cool for at least an hour so they can set. You can speed it up by putting them in the fridge if you want.

Birthday Carrot Cake

Every year for Josh's birthday, I make him this carrot cake. It is moist, delicious and not too sweet with cream cheese frosting. Enjoy!

Ingredients
     Cake

• 4 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 3 cups grated carrots

      Frosting

• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 8 oz (1 brick) cream cheese, softened
• 2 tsp vanilla
• powdered sugar to preferred consistency (around 4 cups)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 pan or two round pans
2. Beat together eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl.
3. Add in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
4. Once completely blended, fold in carrots.
5. Bake for 40-50 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool.
6. Frosting: Cream butter and cream cheese in a bowl. Stir in the vanilla and add in powdered sugar until smooth, creamy and your desired taste and consistency.
7. Frost the cooled cake.

Zucchini Bread

We went to the Farmer's Market at Pioneer Park last weekend, and got 3 big zucchini for a dollar. Knowing we would never in a million years eat that much, I made some zucchini bread. This recipe is phenomenal. You'd never know there was zucchini in there. It's just spiced cinnamony goodness. The flavor is kind of like banana bread.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3 tsp cinnamon
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 1/4 cups white sugar
• 3 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups grated zucchini

Directions:

1. Grease 2 bread pans (8x4 in) or! 1 big pan and 4 mini loaf pans. Preheat oven to 325.
2. Combine flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon in a large bowl.
3. Beat eggs, oil, vanilla and sugar together, then add to flour mixture.
4. Beat all well together. Pour batter into pans.
5. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the bread cool for about 20 minutes before you flip it out of the pans. Then let it cool completely.
6. Freeze or eat right away. You can freeze for up to 3 months.