It’s my birthday weekend, which means the oven is on and this post will be short. Just managed to get Nick down to a nap, so I’ve got to type fast; I still have to make myself-semi-presentable for dinner out tonight (whoo-hoo!).
Even though I’m heading out to dinner, I’m making my own cake. When I turned thirty a few years ago, I decided to create a variation on the theme of “life is uncertain, eat dessert first”. Specifically, it is “life is uncertain, bake your own birthday cake”.
I highly recommend this tradition for everyone old enough to bake; it makes birthdays extra special, and planning and making the cake is almost as fun as eating it.
I used to limit my birthday cake option to cheesecake (I’m a huge fan). But if I’m not inviting a crowd over, an entire cheesecake is too much, even for cheesecake-loving me. So I’ve branched out, and this year it’s short and sweet: carrot cake cupcakes.
These aren’t any carrot cake cupcakes. I’ve made them with a new type of flour I am enjoying, almond flour. I am loving it! Plus, rather than the usual cream cheese frosting, I made a snowy, coconut cream frosting that is naturally dairy-free, vegan, and oh-so-incredibly delicious (and easy!)
It was a little wild getting these in the oven; I had arranged a babysitter for the afternoon, and she cancelled last minute. So Nick was in the middle of the action (on the breakfast nook side). The upside is that, in addition to the cakes getting made, Kevin making me a cappuccino as I baked, and the house now smelling like a stop on the spice route, I discovered that Nick, who has eschewed plain carrots in every form up until now, loves raw shredded carrots. I would have never known in years past that a carrot-eating victory could be such a sweet birthday present.
As you’ll discover in this and future posts (and, come to think of it, a few past posts), I am crazy for cardamom. It has a lush, exotic fragrance that adds an extra-special spark to these little cupcakes. YUM!
The absence of a nutritional analysis for the cupcakes is no accident. I know that they are filled with all sorts of good things (including those perfect carrots). And besides, eating beautiful, healthy food is on my agenda this weekend, but calorie and fat counts are not.
Happy Birthday to Me (and fingers crossed that my evening babysitter won’t cancel)!
In a small bowl, whisk the eggs until blended. Whisk in the coconut milk, maple syrup and vanilla until blended.
Add egg mixture and oil to flour mixture, stirring until blended. Stir in the carrots. Divide batter among prepared cups.
Bake in preheated oven for 19 to 24 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out. Cool completely on wire rack. Remove cupcakes from tin.
Frosting:
Just before whipping the coconut cream, place a medium bowl (preferably metal) and the beaters from an electric mixer in the freezer for 5 minutes.
Remove cans from refrigerator and flip upside down. Open can and pour off liquid (store liquid in an airtight container in the refrigerator for another use). Scoop thick coconut cream into chilled bowl.
Whip the coconut cream with the electric mixer on high until soft peaks form. Add maple syrup and salt, mixing on low until just combined. Use immediately.
i randomly pick recipes from your enlightened cake book and every one has been sooo stinkin delicious. props :)
CamillaCooks
Tuesday 22nd of January 2008
Hey, Mamasue,
You won't have me disagreeing on that point--it is superior freshly crushed from the pods. But I like to have my lazy-me backup.
Nothing wrong with being a spice snob in my book...Camilla :)
Mamasue
Monday 21st of January 2008
Camilla....I love cardamom too and you will have to call me a "spice snob" because I will only use the seeds from the pods and grind myself. Nothing like it! ;-)
Happy Belated Birthday and hope you are feeling better.
Mamasue
CamillaCooks
Monday 21st of January 2008
Welcome, Marianne--thanks for the encouragement!
Marianne
Sunday 20th of January 2008
I am so happy to have "stumbled" across your blog!!! Keep posting as soon you will have may readers!!
I’m Camilla, food writer, author, runner, and spin instructor. PowerHungry® is where I share my easy, minimalist, plant-based recipes, designed for living a healthy, delicious, empowered life.
Italian White Bean Soup {vegan, oil-free, high protein}
Easy Split Pea Curry {vegan, high protein, oil-free}
3-Ingredient Black Bean Chili {vegan, oil-free, high protein}
Chickpea Pasta e Fagioli (vegan, high protein, grain-free}
Roasted Carrot White Bean Soup {3-Ingredients, vegan, easy
Anonymous
Sunday 28th of August 2011
i randomly pick recipes from your enlightened cake book and every one has been sooo stinkin delicious. props :)
CamillaCooks
Tuesday 22nd of January 2008
Hey, Mamasue,
You won't have me disagreeing on that point--it is superior freshly crushed from the pods. But I like to have my lazy-me backup.
Nothing wrong with being a spice snob in my book...Camilla :)
Mamasue
Monday 21st of January 2008
Camilla....I love cardamom too and you will have to call me a "spice snob" because I will only use the seeds from the pods and grind myself. Nothing like it! ;-)
Happy Belated Birthday and hope you are feeling better.
Mamasue
CamillaCooks
Monday 21st of January 2008
Welcome, Marianne--thanks for the encouragement!
Marianne
Sunday 20th of January 2008
I am so happy to have "stumbled" across your blog!!! Keep posting as soon you will have may readers!!