Have My Cake and Eat It Too

Tomorrow is my birthday. Two dozen years, to be exact. This getting older thing is strange. Birthday’s were once such a fun, magical time. Birthday parties were filled with Barbie dolls, pinatas, ice cream cake and the slip-n-slide. But now as I cross into the mid-twenties, it seems to be more about what I’m doing. Soon enough, I will be reaching the age when it’s time to “settle down.” Eww. I think I’ll wait a good five years for that, thanks.

In celebration of my birth (shared with icons such as Madonna, Steve Carell, and Vanessa Carlton), cake baking was in order. Cupcakes, specifically. I have to give credit to Miss Lauren, once again. She posted a recipe for cupcakes with quinoa flour that I’ve been itching to try. That’s right, quinoa flour. If I’m going to bake myself cupcakes, I am going to be sure that I can eat every last one of them. (No, I promise I’ll share… maybe.) The basic recipe can be found on the back of Bob’s Red Mill Organic Quinoa Flour, but here is my version.

Fudgey Birthday Cupcakes (makes 12)

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/4 cups Quinoa flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs, separated
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 – 1/3 cup vanilla greek yogurt

1. Preheat over to 375F.
2. Heat butter and water in a sauce pan until butter is fully melted. Wisk in cocoa powder.
3. Sift together sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
4. Add the cooled cocoa mixture, egg yolks, vanilla and yogurt, and blend well.
5. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold into batter.
6. Pour into lined cupcake pan.
7. Bake for 20 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
8. Try to be patient and allow the cupcakes to cool. If you must, sample one.

Vanilla Buttercream Icing

• 6 tbps unsalted butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2 tsp milk

1. Cream butter. Add vanilla.
2. Slowly add in the powdered sugar. Beat on high.
3. Add milk into the mixture and continue to beat on high until well combined.
4. Frost your cupcakes and celebrate my birthday by licking the bowl clean.

Top cupcakes with coconut, chocolate shavings, raspberries or whatever else floats your birthday boat.

Candles, of course. 24!

Tagged as: Cupcakes, Gluten-free