DEAR SUN SPOTS: I love your column. I look at it first thing daily. I had kept a recipe that you published a few weeks ago and have misplaced it. I sure hope you can help me by printing it again. It was to make a cake in a coffee cup.

Once again, thank you for all of your hard work finding items and ideas for all of us. You are the best. We all look forward to your column. — Anne, Lewiston

ANSWER: This question challenged Sun Spots. She could not remember seeing that recipe in the newspaper and neither could several of her colleagues who were kind enough to search their memories and computers.

There is always the possibility that you saw the recipe in an insert such as Relish, which the Sun Journal inserts in the paper but does not produce and thus would not have a record of. Searches by one colleague did turn up a recipe for a 5-minute mug cake recipe on Facebook (http://tinyurl.com/662fypo).

Internet searches also uncovered that a similar recipe was published in the Sun Journal back in May 2009 as part of the Tough People Smart Money series, but those recipes are not online, so another colleague was kind enough to search for it on the previous computer system. It is published here for you.

Sun Spots hopes that it’s like the one you had in mind even if the date of publication is wrong.

Chocolate mug cake

This recipe is from Bethel Shields of Auburn. It isn’t especially low-priced to make, but only preparing one mug of cake eases the dessert strain on couples or those who live alone.

“It doesn’t leave an entire cake to go stale, or tempt you to eat more than you want, which actually does save money,” she said.

The cake is rich. One mug may have to be shared, she said. This recipe can be divided into two smaller mugs or four custard cups, and can be multiplied easily.

Ingredients

1 microwavable mug (12-ounce mug)

4 tablespoons plain flour

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons baking cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional, but not for many women!)

Small splash of vanilla

Directions: Using a bowl, add dry ingredients, mix well. Add the egg, mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil, and mix. If using chocolate chips, add and mix again.

Pour into a mug. Put the mug in microwave on high and cook for 3 minutes. (Based on 1000-watt microwave; I did it in a 600 watt, and it worked fine.)

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don’t be alarmed. Allow to cool. Tip out onto plate if desired. Enjoy!

Bethel’s tip: Instead of the usual semi-sweet chips, try bittersweet chocolate bits.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have a recipe that was my grandmother’s (I am 79). I used to make 10 dozen of these mashed potato doughnuts a day. I sold all I could make until I got very tired of making them.

Now one thing is missing from the recipe — the amount of flour. If someone knows the amount of flour, please let me know. — No Name, No Town

ANSWER: Sun Spots tried to email No Name to ask her to supply the rest of the recipe, but the email address she provided in her letter didn’t work.

Please, if you write to Sun Spots via snail mail, please be sure to provide a full address, phone number and/or email in legible handwriting so that if she needs to contact you, she can.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I now have a bucket full of aloe vera plants free to anyone who is interested. Call 784-4278, — Ruth Hiltz, Lewiston

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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