As classes begin, crying and binge eating begins. Of course, laziness comes along with it, and everything seems to be in a downward spiral. The only thing that seems to help is cake, but who has time to bake at a time like this! Thankfully, mug cakes exist. Here are some recipes for when your GPA is lower than your self-esteem (if that’s even possible):

Double Chocolate Yummy Lava Cake

¼ C. flour

¼ C. sugar

2 T. cocoa powder

½ t. baking powder

pinch of salt

3 T. melted butter

3 T. room temperature dining hall 2% milk

1 room temperature egg

½ t. vanilla extract

¼ C. semisweet chocolate chips

1 T. water

2. In a large mug, use a fork to wisk flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, & salt until thoroughly mixed.
3. Add butter, egg, milk, & vanilla. Use fork to combine.
4. Put the chocolate chips in the center of the mug mixture without mixing or pushing them farther in.
5. Pour water on top of batter.
6. Microwave for 1 minute and 45 seconds or until the cake rises but still has a gooey center surrounded by well-set edges. Microwave in 10 second increments if the cake has not yet reached its ideal form.
7. Leave in microwave for 5 minutes to avoid eating a lava cake that is the same temperature as a volcano.

Lemon Strawberry Mug Cake

¼ C. flour

¼ C. sugar

½ t. baking powder

1 egg

2 ½ T. melted butter

2 ½ t. lemon juice

1 finely chopped large strawberry

Sliced strawberries

2. Grease a large mug using cooking spray or butter
3. Combine flour, sugar, & baking powder in a separate bowl using a plastic fork taken from your favorite Washington Avenue restaurant.
4. Add egg, butter, & lemon juice to the bowl and mix together with the stolen fork.
5. Fold in chopped strawberry and pour your concoction into the mug.
6. Microwave for 2 minutes. Leave in microwave for 5 minutes to avoid burns.

Banana Mug Cake

¼ C. flour

¼ C. brown sugar

1 t. baking powder

1 egg

1 ½ T. melted butter

1 ½ T. dining hall milk

1 mashed ripe banana from the dining hall

2. Melt butter in a large mug for 10 seconds.
3. Add milk & egg and beat with plastic stolen fork until combined.
4. Add mashed banana and stir with fork until thoroughly mixed
5. Add flour, sugar, & baking powder and mix until completely incorporated together.
6. Microwave for 1 minute or until risen but a little gooey in the middle. Add an additional 10 seconds until cake is cooked to your liking.
7. Leave in microwave for 5 minutes to avoid eating a banana that makes you feel a little too hot and bothered.

For those extra-tough days, scoop a generous amount of ice cream on top and enjoy! Through cake, all things are possible; even making it through this semester. The Minnesota Republic wishes you a cake-and-tear-filled year that ultimately ends with some amount of success. Good luck!