Cupcakes

When Suzanne (co-founder of, this amazing site) invited me over for dinner, she had these little gems a-waiting.  Of course I employed every method of social media the next day to make sure I got her cupcake recipe (I mean, I'm nothing if not persistent).
So, while you can view her chocolate version on her site, she was kind enough to share her vanilla version also.


Grab:
(makes one dozen)
6 eggs
1/3 cup mild-tasting oil (I used grapeseed oil)
3/4 cup honey
1.5 T vanilla extract
3/4 cup coconut flour
1/2 t baking soda
1.2 t salt


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (seriously, the mixing takes a minute).  Line your muffin pan with papers.
2. In a small bowl, sift together dry ingredients and set aside.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, blend wet ingredients until combined.
4. Gently add in dry mix until combined.
5. This batter will rise less than you may be used to, so fill just over 3/4 for each muffin paper.
6. Bake for 20-22 minutes until almost clean toothpick comes out (a little moisture is fine, and you don't want overly dry cakes).
7. Cool completely before icing (I actually refrigerated mine overnight and made the icing in the morning).

Icing:
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup hazelnut oil

1. In a glass bowl, microwave the chocolate in 25 second bursts, stirring after each set.  Shouldn't take more than a few go-arounds.
2. Once the chocolate is completely melted, add in the oil until everything is evenly combined (though it might just look like oily melted chocolate. duh, it is).
3. Chill bowl in freezer for 10-15 minutes.  I transferred mine to my stand-mixer bowl, and then froze that.
4. Beat the chilled mix, on high, for approximately 5 minutes - you are going for icing consistency.
5. Ice cupcakes, show self-control, then show absolutely none.

Enjoy!

Neon Necklace

When my friend, Sarah, sent me this photo of a D.I.Y. necklace, I knew I had to make one.  I poked and prodded, asking what website or 'D.I.Y. guru' she found the template.

Of course, it was HonestlyWTF to the rescue.  The easy template, the link to online resources, the whole enchilada!

In the words of Sarah - this will be my seasons' P.O.C.  Squeal.

It's the Little Things...

We decided early that we wouldn't do anything over-the-top for Valentine's Day (I'm not a fan of flowers, and the boy is a fan of not buying me things that I don't like).  So - low and behold - he picked out a good present this year.

He found me a marvelous stand-mixer on Craigslist!  It's glorious!!!!!  I had intentions to make cupcakes the minute he told me, but we spent this weekend with family - and my family is never short on homemade desserts.  

So, last night, we made these.  I got to use my stand-mixer for the super-stiff egg whites for the gluten-free buns, and he spent the twenty minutes making the sauteed meat filling.

Air Supply

Not the band.  Get over it.  But, question to you all - have you ever tried growing 'air plants' (formally known as tillandsia...less fun)?
It's a species that can root anywhere, but just needs massive moisture once a week.  I feel like I owned one once, but over-watered it.

I found a great online retailer (here), and wanted to try again.  Call it 'Spring greening' or whathaveyou... I just want pretty things that don't die on me.

Pardon the Interruption

Life sort of happened.  I got side-tracked.  

I promise I'll get back in the swing of things soon.  Cupcakes will be happening this weekend (thanks to Sean and Suzanne).  Feel free to test on your own, too.  See ya' soon.