Carnation Instant Breakfast Mug Cake

Welcome to the first posting on the Chemo Cuisine Recipe Blog! This is the avenue by which I'll be suggesting recipes, recommending additional resources I come across, and sharing new tips for how to taste through chemo.

Today's recipe - the Carnation Instant Breakfast Mug Cake - is something that I've only recently come up with, but wish I had had back when I was going into my first surgery and then into chemo, when I was making a particular effort to keep my protein levels up. Carnation Instant Breakfast drinks were the most highly recommended supplemental protein source; it seems that something about their composition makes the protein more readily accessible to our bodies than the protein in many protein bars. Unfortunately, it's hard to sink your teeth into a drink. So if you, like me, are looking for an alternative to the liquid form, here's a way to get all the nutrients while satisfying the desire to sink your teeth into something solid.

(Recipe adapted from Cut Out + Keep's 5 Minute Microwave Mug Brownies.)

Carnation Instant Breakfast Mug Cake

Serves: 1

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 packet Carnation Instant Breakfast powder, any flavor

• 4 tbsp flour

• 1/8 tsp baking powder

• pinch of salt

• 3 tbsp applesauce

• 3 tbsp water

Combine all ingredients in a mug and microwave for 2 minutes.

Tips & Variations:

• Oil can be used instead of applesauce, but I found this left a funny taste.

• Mix in 1 tbsp of chocolate or buttescotch chips for an extra treat.

• If you're really craving sweetness, try adding a bit of sugar to the mix.

• Best part of this recipe: there's no eggs, so you can sample it before you stick it in the microwave and adjust seasonings as you see fit! This also means you can vary the cooking time to get your favorite texture.

A chocolate cake with butterscotch chips before cooking...

... and after.