It’s a New Week [and a good time to make this Coffee Cake for One with Brown Sugar Topping]
I’ve been feeling almost paralyzed lately, not sure what to do or write, uncertain how to handle all that’s going on in the world. As I’d sit there unable to wade through everything, the dishes piled up, my kids fought, and my very real, ordinary life continued to go on–whether I was ready or not.
This morning, I sat down with a cup of coffee and my journal. Pen in hand, I started to unravel the threads in my heart and mind. I started to put it on the page and pray through it all.
And I started to reset.
There are days–even weeks, months, or years–when we need to set some of our normal life aside to handle whatever new thing life has thrown at us. Then, there are days when we need to put our pen to paper, feet to the floor, hands to work…and get back at it.
This week, for me, is a week to get back at it. It’s a week to set down my phone and look at my kids. It’s a week to get back to meal planning, folding clothes, and exercising. It’s a week to more intentionally think about how I can love my neighbor, serve God, and live out the life he’s called me to live. Come to think of it, I should be doing that every week. Thank the LORD his mercies are new.
We will all carry the events of past weeks and months with us. We don’t just forget about what we’ve lived through this year. But it’s a new week. It’s a week when we get to pray, go outside, love our neighbor, cook food, listen to music, and savor God’s goodness in a thousand ways. We get to see the hand of God in small moments and maybe even big ones. We get to show what it looks like to live as new creation people in a hurting world.
It’s a new week. Let’s use it well.
If you need a little reset, just like I did, make yourself this coffee cake and brew a fresh cup of coffee. Then grab a journal and a pen, and write down whatever is swirling around in your mind and heart. Consider praying about what God wants you to do today and this week. How can you love God and love others this week? How can you best use the time God has given you?
(P.S. Scroll down for the recipe!)
Coffee Cake for One with Brown Sugar Topping
Yields 1 serving
Adapted from Crazy for Crust
For the Coffee CakE
Cooking spray, butter, or oil for greasing the mug or ramekin
2 ½ Tablespoons flour
1 Tablespoon brown sugar, lightly packed
¼ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1 ½ Tablespoons milk (any kind)
1 ½ Tablespoons melted butter or neutral-tasting oil (it’s better with butter, of course)
Powdered sugar (optional)
Spray a microwave-safe mug or ramekin with cooking spray (or grease with butter or oil).
Add the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to the mug. Stir with a fork or small whisk until mixed. Add in the milk and melted butter or oil, and stir gently until the ingredients are fully incorporated.
Top with the brown sugar topping (recipe below).
Microwave 40-45 seconds. (This could depend on the strength of your microwave. Mine is 1100 watts.)
Let the cake sit for a minute (it will be very hot when it comes out!). Dust with powdered sugar if you’d like, but honestly, I prefer to just grab a spoon and dig in!
For the Brown Sugar Topping (optional)
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
½ tablespoon cold butter
Pinch of salt
Add all the topping ingredients to a small bowl. Using your fingers, mix and pinch the ingredients together until the mixture turns into coarse crumbs. Add the desired amount* to the top of the mug cake batter. Then microwave as directed above.
*Note: I think this makes enough topping for 2 mug cakes (maybe even 3), but use however much you like!
