Banana Bread in the Microwave!

Hey everyone!

For my first baking adventure (using just the microwave, stove-top, and/or mini fridge), I decided to make banana bread with a chocolate icing. This was inspired by Bryan's birthday because it's similar to what I normally make for his birthday cake, and I wanted to have something like a cake for his birthday!

Since I haven't baked since we've arrived in Hong Kong, I had to get ingredients. This proved to be a little bit difficult, as I had to go to three different stores before finding what I was looking for, but now I know where to buy it! And I was surprised I even found everything, considering so many people here don't have ovens. Also, just a word of warning: if you want to bake in Hong Kong, the ingredients are going to be sold in much smaller quantities, for a higher price - as with most grocery items here it seems (unless you want to buy your meat and veggies from the street vendors). Many locals do buy their produce and meats from the street vendors, we just don't want to risk anything since we're not accustomed to that. But I digress.

So here are the ingredients:

• Vegetable Oil - to coat your bowl/mug
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar (I could only find more of a molasses sugar, but true brown sugar is better)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 egg
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (please use the real stuff, not imitation - not good)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 banana, mash this up with a fork!

  

  Ingredients

   

   

 Once you're all set up with the ingredients, you're ready to go! I just take my portions straight from the bags because I'm not on a fancy cooking show, but you're welcome to pre-portion everything out before getting started on the mixing!

1. Coat a microwave-safe bowl or mug with the vegetable oil (I used a paper towel)
2. In a different bowl, mix the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon until combined. Add the egg, and mix until it's just incorporated. 
3. In another separate bowl, mash up the banana, and mix in the vanilla, oil, and milk. 
4. Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and mix until combined.
5. Pour into your prepared/greased bowl or mug.
6. Put it into the microwave for 3 minutes (just 3 minutes!) and get ready to be amazed!
7. Remove from the microwave, and let cool slightly.

Right Out of the Microwave!

 Now you have the option of making it prettier - if you don't want to just eat it straight from the bowl! The decoration is definitely easier if you baked it in a bowl. If it's a mug, just add chocolate to the top (or not), and enjoy!

Chocolate Topping:

• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1-2 tablespoons of milk

Instructions:

1. Flip the banana bread out of the bowl, onto a plate
2. Let the banana bread cool all the way. Meanwhile, prepare the chocolate topping.
3. For chocolate topping - melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl or mug, 15 seconds at a time until melted. Mix in between each melting to ensure the chocolate doesn't burn. Once melted, add in the milk, and microwave for a few more seconds. It will be slightly thick. 
4. Take a knife, and spread the chocolate mixture over the top of the banana bread.
5. Let cool in refrigerator. 

Step 1: Flipped Out of the Bowl

Now enjoy!!!

Finished Product!