My oldest sister graduated from nursing school this past weekend (wahoo!) and the friends and family had a party for her. I made these cupcakes for the party.But really, I made them just for her.
See, she is not a lady big on sweets. When I asked her what kind of dessert she wanted me to make her, she said if I could make a cake out of french fries, well that would be great. (I was close to making a french fry cake) But instead, I went a slightly different route and made cakes out of thing that I know she loves and can eat. Jalapeños because she is obsessed. Strawberries cause she likes her some fruit and are in season and I think, go with everything. Avocado frosting because she loves avocado and cornmeal because it makes the cakes a tad less sweet and a little more hearty. I also used GF flour cause she is GF.
Wow, I am the best sister. And here are a few more reasons why..
- I went to the party (I am not a big party person.. But I did have fun and her friends were cool)
- I changed into a clean outfit for her party (I really didn't want to)
- I stayed out past my 6 (I made it until 7.. what!!!)
- I make her food
- I am awesome (I think so anyway)
So yeah. The cupcakes. The Nurse lady totally got down with these. I am pretty sure that I heard the words, amazing and oh my good, while they were being noshed on. The day after, the nurse lady told me that they were the talk of the party (bullshit, but thanks)
Whatever, I was just glad she liked them.
The stuff. For the cupcakes; cornmeal and some pre blended gluten free flour. Sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Soy milk (use whatever milk you want) oil, apple cider vinegar, strawberries and a couple jalapeños . For the icing; an avocado, a lemon, and some powdered sugar.
This is not a hard batter to work, no need for a mixer or to cream anything, it can all be done with a wooden spoon.
First, preheat the oven.
Then trim and tiny dice the strawberries, remove seeds and tiny dice the jalapeños and toss it all into a bowl. Sprinkle with a bit of sugar.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking soda and powder, salt and sugar. Then add in the rest of the stuff. Stir together until combined.Now fold in the chopped berries and jalapeños and scoop batter into a well greased (or lined) cupcake tin.
Stick into oven to bake…
Check cakes after 20 minutes and remove from oven when they are golden brown and a tester comes out clean when poked.
Remove from pan and place on a wire rake to cool.
While the cakes are a coolin, add avocado to a blender with the zest of half a lemon and the juice of that half of lemon and blend smooth. Add in the sugar and blend.
The icing should be thick, but spreadable. Using your judgement and you taste buds, add more sugar if the icing seems to thin or lemon juice if it seems to dry.
And once the cakes are cooled, spread with icing and top with sliced strawberries.
Your welcome Nurse Shannon!
Happy Friday!!!
-C
Jalapeño Strawberry Cornmeal Cupcakes with Avocado Frosting
makes 24 cupcakes
- 1 1/2 cup gluten-free flour blend (if you don't need or want it gluten-free, just use all-purpose flour)
- 1 1/2 cups cornmeal
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups nut or plant milk
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 1/2 cups diced fresh strawberries
- 2 jalapeños
For the frosting
- 1 whole avocado
- 1/2 lemon (zest and juice)
- 2-2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Pre heat oven to 350
Wash, trim and dice strawberries into little pieces and toss into a bowl. Remove stem and seeds from jalepenos and dice into small pieces.. add to bowl. Sprinkle with a little sugar.
In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking soda, powder, salt, and sugar and whisk together. Now add in the oil, milk, and vinegar and mix together with a wood spoon until combined. Lastly, fold in the strawberries and jalapeños.
Scoop mixture into well greased (or lined) cupcake tin and stick into oven. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until cakes are gold brown and a tester comes out clean. Remove from oven, remove form tin, and sick on a wire rack to cool.
While the cakes are cooling, take the avocado, sugar, and the zest and juice of half a lemon and blend with your choice of blending drive until smooth. The icing should be thick enough to If the icing is to runny, add more sugar, or to thick, a little more lemon juice.
Now Ice cupcakes and top with sliced strawberries.
Eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert.
No utensils required, just some teeth.
When something goes on sale at the grocery store, I tend to buy it. Being that it is Valentines Day this week, all the stores are having specials on all sorts of sexy things… and strawberries are one of them. 
A handful of ingredients and 5 minutes will get you to a fantastic salad experience.
Pour the vinegar on the strawberries and let sit for at least 5 minutes. (the longer the strawberries can sit with the vinegar, the better)
Pile it on.. thinly slice avocado.. rough chopped toasted almonds… It's pretty much as easy as it can get.
And last but not least, toss on the balsamic soaked strawberries and drizzle the remaining vinegar. (if you made hearts, place on top to make pretty) Sprinkle with a pitch of salt and pepper and pow! Fancy, sexy, delicious salad.