Vegan Wild Blueberry & Pumpkin Mug Cake: A Heavenly Match Made in Minutes

When I first heard the idea of blueberries and pumpkin together, I hesitated. But within seconds my mind switched to “sure, why not?” As it turns out, these ingredients are simply amazing together, as long as you use Wild Blueberries. The intense sweet-tart flavor of Wild Blueberries compliments the pumpkin and autumn spices in a delightful way. None of the ingredients compete, but rather heighten one another for a warm satisfying holiday treat.

As many know, the holidays are a time when people on special diets can often feel left out. So I decided it might be fun to combine pumpkin and Wild Blueberries to create a single-serve mug cake that could be enjoyed anytime a little indulgence was needed; and it can be made in minutes.

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The base recipe is dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, soy-free and vegan, but I also tested it gluten-free for the Mr. Right in my life. Cake is perhaps his favorite dessert, and one he rarely gets to enjoy since he cut gluten from his diet many years ago. And he did indeed love this pumpkin mug cake!

Truth be told, I’m not a big cake person myself, but the tender, moist crumb and sweet, rich taste of this Wild Blueberry pumpkin mug cake won me over too. Here are some tips and options for when you make the recipe yourself:

  • Use frozen Wild Blueberries, not conventional. They have less water, so they perform better in baking. They’re also smaller and more flavorful so you get more “pops of deliciousness” in each bite.
  • Finally, since they really do grow wild in their native lands and are frozen within 24 hours of harvest, Wild Blueberries are substantially higher in antioxidants and fiber than the conventional ones. You can find Wild Blueberries in the freezer section of most major grocers.
  • You can further “healthify” this pumpkin mug cake, but be aware that it will affect the results. Using whole grain flours will result in a denser, but still delicious, dessert. Swapping in a different sweetener, like coconut sugar, will change the flavor and consistency a bit.
  • If you’re in the mood for a treat that’s a little less sweet, you can cut the sugar down to 2 or 2½ tablespoons.
  • But if you want a truly tender crumb, don’t skimp on the fat. I trialed versions with less oil, and they ended up more dense and too moist.+
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A Wild Twist On Feeding Guests This Holiday

The hustle and bustle of the holidays can leave you with little time (or energy) to get creative in the kitchen, especially if you have family in town and a few extra mouths to feed. Quesadillas are the perfect answer to this no-time-to-cook dilemma. For one, they are the ultimate kid-food. Kids adore them. And you can hide healthy stuff inside. Like spinach and tomatoes and even…Wild Blueberries. They’re also gooey, which gives them the illusion of decadence and unhealthiness. And let’s face it; people love that, especially around the holidays. They’re also fast and they don’t require a ton of thought. With just a few key ingredients, you have an amazing meal or snack. And finally, they’re versatile. You can put almost anything between two flour tortillas and some cheese and the result is likely delicious.

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There’s one thing you probably don’t associate with quesadillas — antioxidant superpowers.

Until now.

These crunchy, gooey, flavorful and unique quesadillas are not only delicious and decadent, they’re healthy, too. You can thank Wild Blueberries for that! Jammed packed full of anti-inflammatory goodness, these quesadillas are working overtime to keep you healthy, especially during cold season! Wild Blueberries are so versatile in the kitchen. I love how they keep their intense blueberry flavor when you cook with them. Which is great when you’re making a dish like stuffing or these yummy quesadillas.

I wanted to add a little something extra to this dish to give it the wow factor! After a quick peruse of the fridge, I found my answer: jalapeno jelly. It was the perfect hint of sweetness from the jelly plus some jalapeno heat to kick it up a notch! The sweet and the heat complement the Wild Blueberries perfectly.

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Of course a quesadilla is not a quesadilla without cheese. I recommend you mix it up! I used three different kinds of cheese for these quesadillas. Brie, being the Queen of melting cheese, was an obvious choice (and of course it worked great). But any cheese tastes amazing paired with Wild Blueberries. I tested these quesadillas with smoked Gouda and tangy goat. Both worked deliciously.

Wild Blueberries and gooey melted cheese folded into a crispy tortilla…the perfect holiday lunch!

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About the Author

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Danielle Omar is a registered dietitian, clean-eating coach, teacher and cookbook author. She is a passionate food and nutrition educator and founded Danielle Omar Nutrition to support busy men and women on their journey to becoming their healthiest self. An avid cook, she also enjoys sharing plant-based recipes and nutrition strategies on her Food Confidence blog. Danielle has a Master’s degree in Nutrition and has been teaching nutrition at the college level for over 10 years. She has contributed to local and national media outlets such as The Washingtonian, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Shape Magazine, and Women’s Health Magazine. Through her private nutrition practice, media work, and group programs, Danielle has successfully motivated hundreds of busy professionals and families to eat confidently and live a healthy life. 

‘Tis the Season to Win Big with Wild Blueberries

4 Easy Ways to Win

Holidays are the exquisite season of giving. We give to the special people in our lives, we give to strangers and families in need, we give to our favorite charities and causes, we cook, we throw parties, we clean, we give endlessly of ourselves. But what about giving to ourselves?

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In the midst of all the holiday racing around, we often neglect our own health and our own peace of mind. Well, we’re here to remind you that the holidays are only a joy if you have the presence of mind to truly relish in them. So in the spirit of taking care of ourselves, we have partnered with our favorite Nutrition Twins® – Tammy Lakatos Shames & Lyssie Lakatos – nationally recognized registered dietitians, personal trainers, and, yes, twin sisters, for our Run Wild and Win Big with Wild Blueberries Sweepstakes which starts on December 1st.

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We know you’re going to love meeting the Twins. During the contest, they’ll share essential Holiday Survival Tips and Recipes that will nurture our bodies and minds right through the holidays.

So before you start the race to the holiday finish line, mark your calendar for the first day to enter our exciting Run Wild and Win Big with Wild Blueberries Sweepstakes. The contest runs from December 1st to December 17th.

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Entering is easy! On Monday December 1st, go to the Wild Blueberries Facbeook page, and click on the contest link. Everyone who enters will receive our Run Wild Holiday Recipe eBook featuring delicious Recipes and Holiday Survival Tips from the Nutrition Twins. And we mentioned Winning Big – there are daily prizes, two weekly prizes, and a Grand Prize that’s all about you. Take a look….

  • During the first week we’ll give away 20 Wild Blueberry Infuser Water Bottles every day!
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  • On Friday December 5th, we’ll give away a Vitamix Blender, so you can get started creating your own delicious and healthy smoothies, soups, salad dressings and sauces.
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  • The second week we’re giving away a KitchenAid Stand Mixer. A baker’s dream!
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  • And the Grand Prize includes two personal nutritional Skype sessions with the Nutrition Twins, where they will evaluate your health and design a custom nutrition plan especially for you. PLUS, a $500 gift certificate to Whole Foods so you can revamp your pantry just in time for the holidays.
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This contest runs for only a short time, so don’t miss out! And remember don’t let all the running around run you down this holiday season. Celebrate the smart way with Wild Blueberries. For more great recipes featuring Wild Blueberries visit: www.wildblueberries.com/recipes.