September Crafternoon: Decorate Your Own Mug

Submitted by Durham Tech Library on

We've had a few solid days of fall-like weather, which reminds me warm beverage weather. With that in mind, what better way to celebrate the beginning of fall weather than to decorate your own mug? 

white mug with paintbrush and four colors of paint: red, yellow, blue, and green (the components of the mug painting kit)

Durham Tech Student Life will mail or reserve for in-library pickup mugs for the first 30 students who submit the September Crafternoon Mug Request Form (link under previous text) between Tuesday, September 22 and Thursday, September 24. One mug per student and current student status is required (and will be checked prior to mailing). If the form is closed, all the spaces have already been reserved. An oven that can get to 360 degrees is needed for this project. 

A painted white mug with "Happiness in a cup" and the "u" in cup has illustrated flowers in it

Not a current student or want to get mugs for you and your family? We're using Michael's Ceramic Mug Kit by ArtMinds, available in stores and online.

Well, other than dumping a packet of [delicious] hot chocolate [preferably with those little dehydrated marshmallows] into your beautifully decorated mug, what else might you be able to do with it?

Two words: MUG CAKE

What's a mug cake? Exactly what it sounds like! A quick, single-serving cake that's made in a few minutes in the microwave in a mug. (You can also make it in an oven, but it takes longer.)

A chocolate chip peanut butter cookie mug cake with a spoon sticking out-- the mug has angry cats wearing party hats

You're not going to get some fancy food blog photography here. Taking an attractive picture of a mini-cake in a mug isn't easy, but here we are. 

Pumpkin mug cake in Read Great Things 2019 mug with squashes in the background to add to the aesthetic

I had best luck with Jessica in the Kitchen's vegan-friendly pumpkin mug cake. I liked that I didn't have to save half a beaten egg for later and the ingredients were on-hand (if you have a can of pumpkin) and simple.

She has lots of other highly-rated mug cake recipes on her site, including a yummy-looking chocolate chip tahini (sesame butter) one, and her tips explained why my previous mug cakes were gummy and gross (over-microwaving-- it's okay to have a slightly wet center as it'll keep cooking as it cools).  

Do you have a favorite go-to mug cake recipe?

Either comment on our Facebook or Instagram posts or send it to lewisma@durhamtech.edu and we'll compile some recommendations. Be sure to include any tips and tricks to get a tasty single serving instead of a gummy and sad single serving. 

Category
Crafternoon