Posted by Renée Leonard-Stainton on 19 September 2011 - 5:58pm
Cardamom, Orange & Almond Cupcakes
It seems that ever since ‘Sex and the City’s’ Miranda and Carrie talked crushes while stuffing themselves with the now infamous Magnolia bakery delights, cupcakes have steadily taken the cake when it comes to the baking popularity stakes. There is just no way that I can sugar coat the reality though sorry…cupcakes aren’t really good for you. Well, unless you count the health benefits from the quick burst of endorphins you enjoy as your taste buds rejoice when the ridiculously indulgent buttercream melts on your tongue. Oh…heaven! But really, I’m clutching at straws. They're a treat. Enjoy!
It seems that ever since ‘Sex and the City’s’ Miranda and Carrie talked crushes while stuffing themselves with the now infamous Magnolia bakery delights, cupcakes have steadily taken the cake when it comes to the baking popularity stakes. There is just no way that I can sugar coat the reality though sorry…cupcakes aren’t really good for you. Well, unless you count the health benefits from the quick burst of endorphins you enjoy as your taste buds rejoice when the ridiculously indulgent buttercream melts on your tongue. Oh…heaven! But really, I’m clutching at straws. They're a treat. Enjoy!
Method
- Place the oranges in a saucepan, cover with cold water and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low simmer for 1 hour or until the oranges are soft. Remove oranges and cool
- Preheat oven to 170º fan forced. Line muffin pans with paper cases
- Quarter the oranges, then remove core and any seeds. Place in blender and process until smooth
- Add the sugar and process to combine. Add the eggs and process to combine. Transfer the mix to a bowl and fold in the almond meal, rice flour (if using), baking powder, cinnamon and cardamom
- Divide the mix among the prepared holes and bake for 25-30 mins
- Remove and cool slightly in the pans before transferring to a wire rack to cool
- Spread the top of each cupcake with some of the icing and sprinkle with the almonds and orange zest
Hi Renee, lovely site. I am always looking for healthy recipes. Can’t wait to try this cupcake recipe!
Hi Pragati, sorry - I seemed to have missed this comment! However, thanks for stopping by and I hope you've found time to enjoy making this recipe :)
Thanks Renee. I try to choose gluten free for cooking for relations in my family. At last I can use a cup cake recipe.
Thanks for posting this !
It's really moist and zesty, so I hope it brings joy at your next family occasion! x
Hi Renee,
I know that very scene in Sex & the City! You could use coconut sugar instead of castor sugar, and a mix of coconut flour and quinoa flour instead of the rice flour. This would make the cupcakes slightly healthier in my books! I have had some luck with making an icing with cashew muts, coconut oil, coconut sugar and rose water. SUPER yummy. I am looking forward to making these just as they are though. Thank you for the yummy recipe!
Hi Rebecca, gotta love Sex & the City and their iconic scenes! I tried the cupcakes when I was in NY years ago and they lived up to the hype. I came up with this recipe a couple of years ago and was yet to discover the wonders that are coconut sugar and coconut flour! My main concern was just making it dairy and gluten-free for my Poppa :) Funny, I've recently experimented with a cashew cream icing to go onto some almond meal rosewater cupcakes that I made! I used honey in the icing...although I'm sure that coconut sugar would be delicious too. Thanks for the tips...always open to learn more and experiment :) Happy baking/eating x
You could use raw caster sugar :)
Hi Mena, thanks for the tip! I've actually never used raw caster sugar so will give it a shot next time I make these :)