Strawberry Mug Cake

You may recall the hot cocoa mug cake that I made during finals week of last semester. Or perhaps you have forgotten it as I wish that I could. Although I consider last semester's mug cake a fail, I do still believe that the quick and easy nature of a mug cake is a great inspirational concept for finals week. I decided to make some changes to this mug cake recipe in the hopes of creating a treat with better taste and texture. Unlike hot cocoa mug cake, strawberry mug cake includes sugar and baking powder. Although it lacks the element of chocolate, it derives a sweet and fruity taste from the combination of cake and strawberries. I encourage you to take a 5 minute study break and see if an improvement has in fact been made to the mug cake recipe. All ingredients may be purchased in either Varsity Morgan or Varsity Towers. Based upon the calculated cost per serving of each ingredient, this version of mug cake will cost you $1.52. This does not include the cost of cooking spray. Good luck on finals!

Strawberry Mug Cake
Yield: 1 mug cake
Total Cost: $1.52 (does not include cost of cooking spray)

• cooking spray
• 5 1/2 tablespoons flour
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 strawberries, sliced

Spray inside of oversized mug with cooking spray. Combine all ingredients except strawberries into the mug. Stir until batter is smooth. Slice strawberries and carefully drop pieces on top.

Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. If cake is not done, microwave for an additional 30 seconds. Serve warm.

Reviews
"I like that it's warm."
"I like the strawberries."
"Better than the chocolate one."

Banana Pops

The two-day, on-campus music festival Rites of Spring, or "Rites," is one of the most anticipated events of the year. The lineup for this year includes Wiz Khalifa, MUTEMATH, Sleigh Bells, Wick-It the Instigator, Chancellor Warhol, Tyler Hilton and many more. With great weather and a celebratory atmosphere it is a much-needed chance to put the books aside for a bit before finals begin. In accordance with the festive spirit that "Rites" embodies, the recipe for this week is a fun snack. Banana pops are an easy homemade treat that will keep you fueled throughout the weekend. Even better, make a large batch and share with friends! All ingredients may be purchased in Varsity Morgan or Varsity Towers and pretzels may be purchased at Nectar. Based upon the calculated cost per serving of each ingredient, a batch of 36 banana pops will cost you $10.56 or $0.29 per pop. For more information regarding Rites of Spring visit http://www.vanderbilt.edu/ros/.

Banana Pops

Yield: 36 pops

Total Cost: $10.56

• 3 bananas, cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 2.1 oz Butterfinger bar, crushed
• OREO Mini Bite Size Sandwich Cookies (3 oz bag), crushed
• 1 1.75 oz tube Planters salted peanuts, chopped
• 36 Glutino gluten free pretzels sticks

Cut bananas into 1/2-inch slices and set aside. Crush or chop each topping and place each in separate dish. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Stir chocolate and oil in small saucepan over low heat just until smooth. Let stand 15 minutes to cool.
 

Use fork to dip each banana slice into chocolate, coating the majority of the banana. Shake off excess chocolate. Roll dipped banana into topping of choice. Use hand to sprinkle more topping over banana to coat. Transfer to cookie sheet and stick a pretzel stick into the center of the banana. Freeze until firm, about 3 hours, and serve.

 

Reviews
"I like the salt from the pretzel."

Orange Sherbet Coolers

Warm weather calls for cool drinks and orange sherbet coolers make for a wonderful spring day refresher. They are a fun and fruity version of an ice cream float and best of all, they are quick and simple to make. This recipe yields four individual servings but it may be easily adapted as a punch for a larger crowd. An alcoholic version can also be made with the addition of an alcohol such as champagne or Mike's hard lemonade. All ingredients may be purchased in either Varsity Marketplace, Varsity Morgan, or Varsity Towers. Based upon the calculated cost per serving of each ingredient, this fizzy drink with its delectable traces of creaminess will cost you $9.81 or $2.45 per serving.

Orange Sherbet Coolers

Yield: 4 coolers

Total Cost: $9.81

• 2 cups Simply Orange orange juice
• 2 Cool Tubes orange sherbet
• 1 Edy's Slow Churned Vanilla Bean ice cream cup
• 2 bottles Reed's Cherry Ginger Brew

 Pour 1/2 cup of orange juice in each of the four tall serving glass. Add a scoop of sherbet and a scoop of ice cream to each glass. Add 3/4 cup of ginger ale and stir slightly to blend. Serve immediately.  

Reviews
"I like how you put orange and vanilla together. It is a good contrasting taste."
"Tangy."

Deviled Eggs

 A perfect appetizer for Easter, deviled eggs are easy to make and quick to disappear from the platter. There are many different variations of deviled eggs but I decided to keep this recipe fairly simple by combining traditional ingredients such as mayonnaise and mustard. All ingredients may be purchased in Varsity Morgan or Varsity Towers. Based upon the calculated cost per serving of each ingredient, the purchase of a dozen eggs will yield an abundant appetizer for just $1.73 or $0.12 per deviled egg and you will even have a few left over for dyeing. This does not include the cost of salt and pepper. Happy Easter!

Deviled Eggs

Yield: 14 deviled eggs

Total Cost: $1.73 (does not include cost of salt and pepper)

• 7 eggs, hard boiled and peeled
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• salt and pepper

 

Hard boil eggs by placing in a saucepan, in a single layer, and covering with water. Cover and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and let the eggs sit in the hot water for 15 minutes. Drain and rinse eggs with cold water. Peel when completely cooled.

 

 

Halve eggs lengthwise. Remove yolks and place in small bowl.  Place the halves on a platter.

Mash yolks with a fork and stir in mayonnaise, relish, and mustard. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

 

 

Fill egg yolks evenly with mixture. For a fancier presentation, pipe filling into egg halves using a piping bag or a plastic bag with the corner cut off. 

Reviews