Double Berry Mug Muffin

Double berry means berries in it and berries on it. That's the whole idea. Mix a handful into the batter, microwave it, then pile more on top with a spoonful of whipped cream, and a plain protein muffin starts looking like a small dessert that happens to work as breakfast.

Mix the berries, keep the amount

Any mix works. Blueberries, raspberries, chopped strawberries, blackberries, whatever's in the freezer bag. More than one kind tastes better than one, but keep the total at about 1/3 cup. Pile in extra fruit and the batter can't hold it; the center stays wet no matter how long you cook it.

Tip

Frozen berries make the middle wetter. If it still looks glossy at 90 seconds, give it 10 to 15 more.

Bowl, not mug

This one does better in a wide cereal bowl. The batter spreads out thinner, the berries distribute more evenly, and you get more surface for the topping. In a tall mug, the berries tend to pool at the bottom and the top half is plain.

The warm muffin softens the whipped cream just a little, which is exactly what you want. Wait too long and it's just cold cake with cold cream.

If you like it with the cream and berries, the Strawberry Shortcake for One takes that idea further. For a mixed-berry shake instead, the Berry Cheesecake Protein Shakes are in the same spirit, and the plain Protein Blueberry Muffins are the base this one's built on.