Wow, it's been another big break from this blog. I've had a
huge health change which has really impacted my relationship with cooking, baking and food. About two weeks after my birthday I was diagnosed with a chronic auto-immune disease which means I now really have to change my diet. For the next few months, I'm avoiding gluten, dairy, cane-sugar, nuts, preservatives, colourings, dried fruit and the list goes on. At first you can imagine how this put me off baking. But I've finally gotten back to feeling positive and found a delicious chocolate cupcake recipe to satisfy my sweet tooth. They're sweetened with natural agave (look for it in health food stores) and contain no gluten or dairy. The good thing is they actually taste perfectly normal! I was dreading tasting them, but honestly they taste just as yummy as regular cupcakes!
Please note, that from now on I will be more consistent with blogging. I will also be posting regular recipes too because my family still loves their buttercream, chocolate, nuts and general deliciousness..
Ingredients (which you can find at grocery stores and health food stores)
5 tablespoons dairy free butter (ie. margarine, nuttlex)
2/3 cup light organic agave syrup
30g unsweetened vegan chocolate (or chocolate sweetened with agave)
2 organic eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract (ensure it doesn't contain sucrose)
1/2 cup gluten free self-raising flour
1/2 cup organic unsweetened gluten-free cocoa
Method
Preheat oven to 170 degrees (fan-forced). Prepare 12 hole muffin tray. In a saucepan on low heat, melt the butter and chocolate together. Remove from heat and set aside. In a separate bowl, combine the flour and cocoa together. Add agave to the melted butter mixture, followed by the eggs which you can whisk in; then add to the dry ingredients. Mix together well and spoon into muffin tray. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Once cool, spread some unsweetened organic chocolate on top cupcakes for icing.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS POST:
What chocolate do I use?
For general eating, I love the chocolate from an Australia company called
"Conscious Chocolate." Even though it's incredibly expensive, the texture and taste makes it worth it! I also used their chocolate for the icing on these cupcakes. For baking, however, I use the chocolate from
"Loving Earth" simply because it's cheaper and the texture is better for baking.
What is agave and where can I find it? What brand do you use?
Agave is a nectar from an agave plant. It doesn't have a strong, identifiable taste in baking unlike honey or syrup. Whilst it is a natural product and from a plant, it still has calories and does affect your blood sugar levels. I bought it at an organic/health shop. Look for your closest one via the internet. I use light agave syrup from
"Loving Earth" .
What gluten-free flour do you use?
I use a shop-bought flour from the
"Gluten Free Company" which contains potato starch, white rice flour, and some raising agent.
Will you post more gluten-free, dairy free, cane-sugar free, organic recipes?
Yes I am required to eat like this for the next 3 months or more. If you want me to find a recipe suitable for your allergy/health, simply leave a comment below.
Will you still post regular recipes like before?
Yes! My family loves regular recipes which contain normal flour, cane sugar, nuts, cream etc etc! Also I will be able to eat these ingredients again one day.
