What if I told you I’ve found the ultimate cure for the mid-afternoon slump? You know the feeling, those slow afternoons when you really need a pick-me-up. Usually, I pop the kettle on, head out for a walk, or chat to my friend on the phone for a few minutes. But when my usual cup of tea just doesn’t cut it, I grab a mug to fill with something entirely different.

These mug puds are made from Creative Nature Baking Mixes, which are now available on Gousto Market. They’re delicious in every sense of the word, but also free from the top 14 allergens making them perfect if you have intolerances, allergies, or you just fancy a top-notch treat with less fuss (and way less washing up).

Choc Chip Mug Brownie

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp Milled Flax Seed
• 3 tbsp water
• 40g butter/margarine
• 80g Creative Nature Chocolate Chip Brownie Mix

1. Combine your flaxseed and water in a mug and allow to sit for 5 minutes until it becomes gloopy.
2. Stir in the Chocolate Chip Brownie Mix and butter/margarine until the mixture reaches a thick consistency.
3. Smooth over the top layer of mixture and microwave full power for 30 seconds, then allow to stand for another 30 seconds.
4. Repeat this step until the mixture has had a cooking time of 2.5 minutes in total and has a fudgy, brownie like texture inside.
5. Top your mug cake with melted chocolate and ice cream and enjoy!

Choc Chip Mug Muffin

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp milled flax seed
• 5 tbsp water
• ½ banana
• 30g butter/margarine
• 80g Creative Nature Chocolate Chip Muffin Mix

1. Combine your flaxseed and water in a mug and allow to sit for 5 minutes until it becomes gloopy.
2. Add your banana and butter/margarine and mash together using a fork.
3. Stir in the chocolate chip muffin baking mix until the mixture reaches a thick consistency.
4. Smooth over the top layer of mixture and microwave full power for 30 seconds, then allow to stand for another 30 seconds.
5. Repeat this step until the mixture has had a cooking time of 2.5 minutes in total and has a delicious cakey texture inside.
6. Now top your mug cake with melted chocolate and ice cream (or don’t if you don’t want to, but why wouldn’t you want to?

Banana Bread Mug Pudding

Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• Dash of water
• 80g Creative Nature Banana Bread Mix

1. Peel your banana and mash it in a regular sized mug, using a fork. Then add your butter and margarine and combine.
2. Stir in the Banana Bread Mix with a dash of water, until the mixture reaches a thick consistency.
3. Smooth over the top layer of mixture and microwave full power for 30 seconds, then allow to stand for another 30 seconds.
4. Repeat this step until the mixture has had a cooking time of 2.5 minutes in total and has a fudgy, brownie like texture inside.
5. Top with caramel sauce and extra banana slices

Founder Julianne started Creative Nature with 1 desire, for everyone to be able to enjoy good food safely, no matter what allergy or intolerances you may suffer. For Julianne, seeing the ‘may contain’ warning, or endless scouring of ingredients on a packet to make sure that a pudding was safe for her to enjoy… understandably, it got boring. That’s why Creative Nature is packed in an allergen-free environment and is totally free from the Top 14 Allergens. The baking mixes are also award-winning in taste, so honestly, there’s just no excuse not to try.