There are some blogs that you just can’t help getting excited about because the recipes they post are so innovative and unique. There are blogs you read, and blogs you devour and Fork and Beans has always been on my devour list.
Last summer, Cara and I were both working on cookbooks, so Cara tested some of my recipes and I tested some of hers. And now Cara’s cookbook is out — woo hoo! Decadent Gluten-Free Vegan Baking: Delicious, Gluten-, Egg- and Dairy-Free Treats and Sweets is much like Fork and Beans in that it’s full of remakes of classic recipes and junk food favorites. There’s an entire chapter devoted to vegan and gluten-free versions of Girl Scout cookies. An entire chapter! You’ll also find recipes for homemade Pop-Tarts, Fig Newtons, Cheez-Its, and more cakes, cupcakes, and pies than you can shake a stick at. (I have no idea what that means. Why would you shake a stick at cupcakes? They’re delicious.)
And speaking of cupcakes! When asked to choose a recipe to share from Cara’s cookbook, I decided on the Peanut Butter Chocolate Cupcakes. The deciding factor was obviously the Nutter Butter Frosting, which I would happily pipe straight into my mouth because I’m classy like that.
If you’d like to see what else this cookbook has in store, you can purchase it on amazon.com
Peanut Butter Chocolate Cupcakes
Notes
CARA’S TIP: If you desire, you can switch to almond butter for this recipe, or if you are allergic to nuts, you can use a nut-free spread like SunButter instead.
Ingredients
Dry
- 1 1/2 cups Cara’s All-Purpose Blend
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet
- 1 cup nondairy milk
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal plus 6 tablespoons water—thickened for 5 minutes
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Nutter Butter Frosting
- 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons nondairy milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Make the cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease or line a muffin pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, combine the wet together until well mixed. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined.
- Pour into the muffin pan and bake for 17 to 20 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan and allow to cool on a wire rack. Frost with Nutter Butter Frosting and drizzle with melted nondairy chocolate. Feeling even crazier? Top with chocolate-covered peanuts.
Make the frosting
- With an electric mixer, cream the vegan butter on medium speed until fluffy. Beat in the peanut butter, and then gradually add in the powdered sugar. Add the nondairy milk and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of Decadent Gluten-Free Vegan Baking from the publisher.
11 Comments
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
August 14, 2014 at 9:38 amA whole chapter devoted to Girl Scout cookies?! I need this book ASAP!
Kiersten Frase
August 17, 2014 at 8:22 pmYES! You would love this book – so many awesome vegan ideas!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
August 14, 2014 at 4:24 pmGorgeous cupcakes!
[email protected]
August 14, 2014 at 10:50 pmYour photography is so gorgeous!
Allison
August 15, 2014 at 7:21 amI need this book on my shelf! I do love a good book review! Those cupcakes look just magical. So cute and tasty!
Kiersten Frase
August 17, 2014 at 8:20 pmIt’s such a fun book – Cara is so creative!
Joanne
August 17, 2014 at 10:22 pmWho knew gluten-free baking could look so good! I can’t turn down anything with PB+chocolate no matter how hard I try. Must give these a go!
Kiersten Frase
August 27, 2014 at 5:54 pmPeanut butter and chocolate together is MAGIC. 🙂
Sonia
September 2, 2014 at 10:20 pmI can’t wait to make these! Can I substitute with all purpose flour?
Kiersten Frase
September 4, 2014 at 12:55 pmWe haven’t tested the recipe with all-purpose flour; I think you’d probably be better off finding a chocolate cupcake recipe that’s already made with it.
Traci
November 17, 2014 at 5:40 pmHi. I have an all-purpose gluten free flour blend. Would that be ok to use instead?