It's a creative outlet for me, and I get instant gratification (and a sweet treat, to boot!). Lucky for me, I have a "certified" taste tester living in my house. Being 4 years old, he has a lot of experience with all things sweet. Lucky for my figure, I am usually baking for others and I only get to try what I've made!
Recently, I had the opportunity to make three different delicious gluten free treats for my dear friend, April's baby shower. I love experimenting with new recipes and stretching my comfort zone just a bit and this was a perfect opportunity to do so. Because these were for a baby shower, and lots of people were going to be eating them, I did not let my 4 year old helper assist in the mixing; you just never know when a kiddo is going to sneeze this time of year. ;) Abbott did, however, taste the finished product and gave me his "official" thumbs up, so I happen to know that this recipe is kid-approved.
This was my first time cooking with coconut flour. Although it's very dense, I'm a fan. Coconut flour is high in fiber and protein, not to mention lending a natural sweetness to whatever you're cooking, making your sweet treat more satisfying than one made with traditional wheat flour. Almond flour is also great, giving you the same nutritional benefits as eating whole almonds. It's great for anyone who is worried about cholesterol and packs a good punch of protein and healthy fats. The use of honey in place of granulated sugar is also a bonus to this recipe, cutting back on processed sugar.
I love this recipe because it's such a light flavor and, for all the health benefits of the alternative flours, I still felt like I was eating a sweet treat! I will warn you, though, that my frosting recipe is not the healthiest, nor is it the easiest to make. It takes time and it uses a lot of butter. You could easily swap out my frosting for one of your own, but here is the reason I love this frosting in particular: The use of the egg whites and not much sugar (you could probably get away with less) makes a super light texture, while the butter gives you the indulgence of a buttercream. But, if you're looking for a low fat option, this is not the frosting for you.
I won't keep you reading any longer. Without further ado, I present my Raspberry Citrus Cupcakes.
For the cake:
1/2 c. coconut flour
1/2 c. almond flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
3 eggs, room temperature
1/2 c. grapeseed oil (burns at a higher temperature than other oils so it's great for baking)
1/2 c. honey
zest from 1/2 lemon (I used a Meyer lemon)
zest from 1/2 lime
raspberry jam
Preheat your oven to 350. Line muffin cups with paper liners. In a medium bowl, combine the flours, salt and baking soda. In a large bowl, combine eggs, oil, honey and zests. Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Your batter will be thick. Fill each cup about 2/3 full and spread the top flat to avoid over-browning of the peaks. Bake 18-22 minutes or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once the cakes are cooled, use a small knife to cut a small hole in the middle of the cakes. Make sure your hole only goes about halfway down into the cake; you shouldn't see the bottom of the liner. Fill each cake with about 1 teaspoon of raspberry jam. Set cupcakes aside.
For the frosting:
3 egg whites
3/4 c. sugar (Use raw sugar for a more intense, slightly darker flavor)
2 sticks of unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into 16 pieces
zest from 1/2 lemon
zest from 1/2 lime
In a heatproof bowl, combine egg whites and sugar. Place bowl over, but not touching, simmering (not boiling) water. Stir mixture constantly until it reaches 160 degrees. Remove from heat. Using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, beat mixture until it cools to room temperature and forms stiff peaks. Add butter, 1-2 pieces at a time, allowing time for the butter to incorporate after each addition. Once all the butter is incorporated, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and add in the zests. Mix until combined. Frost cupcakes and enjoy!
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