Strawberry Microwave Bake

I have seen these so called "bakes" floating around the blogging world for quite some time now. At first I thought that they were just a way to make a muffin or cupcake seem like a "healthier" option. Then a few days ago I decided to give them a try, and in fact they can be quite healthy and filling!

Except I had a few restrictions of my own:

1. It had to be easy to make, with no strange ingredients.
2. I wanted to be able to make it in the microwave for convenience sake.
3. The "bake" had to be low in calories, but not be super tiny.
4. It had to be sugar free (I gave up sugar for lent).

Then I just threw some ingredients together and something amazing happened:

Strawberry Microwave Bake

Servings: 1 "bake"

Calories: 120 (and no added sugar)

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp oatmeal (10 grams)
• 2 Tbsp unbleached flour (14 grams)
• 1/4 tsp baking powder (I use sodium-free)
• 1 1/2 Tbsp egg beaters (20 grams)
• 1 Tbsp unsweetened applesauce (20 grams)
• 1 tsp unsweetened strawberry jam (6 grams)
• 1 extra large strawberry (40 grams)

Directions:

1. Combine dry ingredients in small bowl. Add the wet ingredients and stir until combined.
2. Chop up the strawberry and mix it into the batter.
3. Either spray a separate microwave-safe bowl or place the previous container directly into the microwave.
4. Cook on 80% for 30 seconds. Cover and cook for 30 seconds again at 80%. Note: Microwave times vary a lot based on age and watt power. These times won't work for everyone. You will need to try this out a few times before you get the times and power right.

After I take it out of the microwave, I place the bake directly in the freezer for a few minutes to let it cool down. Then I top it with another teaspoon of unsweetened strawberry jam and a drizzle of almond butter.

This recipe only takes two or three minutes to make if the ingredients are easy to find. Plus, you can make it in the microwave so it is super versatile! Another reason that I wanted it to be so convenient was so I could make this recipe in college for a late night, but healthy snack when I get the studying munchies...

The options for this recipe really are endless:
- Replace the jam with a tsp of sugar or honey for a sweeter "bake"
- Use a different type of jam like peach for a different flavor (Tried this)
- Replace the strawberry with blueberries or another type of berry (Tried this)
- Replace 1 Tbsp of oatmeal with cocoa powder. Top with peanut butter.
- Make this vegan and use another replace the egg beaters with applesauce.
- Make this gluten free and replace the flour with oat flour or a gluten free mix.
- I have also made it without berries and it made a nice sandwich-like biscuit.

I will post more versions of this recipe when I remember to snap pictures! Enjoy...