I featured these last year, but the are a favorite around here. It’s the season for sweet potato, so what better time than to make them! Roasted wedges of caramelized sweet potatoes are layered with a creamy fig coconut sauce. It’s filling and fit for any time of the day without weighing you down. Enjoy!
Okay, I think I’ve outdone myself with these. It’s always difficult to wing it while baking, as measurements are extremely important to get the texture and taste just right, but luck was on my side this morning. I wanted to create a sugar-free, fat-free, egg-free, and dairy-free whole-wheat carrot cupcake without anything bizarre in it, even a flax-egg or almond/soy milk. Simple does it. And boy did simple do it good. Mmmmmmmmm…breakfast, snack, or dessert…who cares.
Carrots: prevent cancer by virtue of compound (almost exclusive to the vegetable) falcarinol, improves vision with its high vitamin A and beta-carotene content, prevent heart disease with its carotenoids, lower blood cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of stroke, nourish the skin, helps slow the process of aging, and contributes to dental health.
Vegan Carrot Cupcake with Fig Cream Frosting
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients (12 cupcakes)
For the Cupcake
For the Frosting
Instructions
For the Cupcake, combine the cinnamon, raisins, and chopped figs in a saucepan with 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes. The water will evaporate, leaving behind the dried fruit infused with cinnamon taste and slightly caramelized aroma.
In a bowl, pour the hot dried fruit mixture over shredded carrot. Let cool and then add 1/3 cup of orange juice. Fold all the ingredients together until well combined.
Combine all the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. fold the dry mixture into the wet dried fruit mixture. Add 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of apple sauce and mix until all the ingredients are evenly combined.
Scoop the cupcake mixture into greased muffin tins, either sprayed with canola oil or lightly coated with coconut oil. This recipe will yield 12 muffins.
Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes, or until the tops of the muffins have browned and the center has set (check that a toothpick comes out clean).
For the Fig Coconut Frosting, food process five figs that had been soaked and softened in lukewarm water for at least 30 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of molasses (or carob syrup) and 1/2 a can of coconut milk (only the thickest part of the can, which collects at the top).
Blend until smooth.
Oh. My. God. I’m surprised this lasted long enough to make it to a cupcake. It tastes soooo guilty – caramel-like with a creamy texture. Unreal.
Top the muffins with the cream.
Garnish with leftover shredded carrot and raisins.
So moist, rich, creamy…
You will beyond love these!
xo Aylin
Yes, that’s right. This one has been getting a lot of steam these days, and it’s totally worth the try! All you have to do is freeze the bananas, food process/blend them, add whatever else you want to the mix, and serve! The beauty of this recipe is that the possibilities are endless. While there is a banana taste, it is not overpowering. By adding dried fruit, chocolate, nuts, or any other topping/mix-in of your choice, you completely change the dessert. I like to blend mine with cocoa powder to make a chocolate version, but bananas alone do the trick.
I topped the finished banana cream with some chopped dried figs and apricots.
Banana Ice-Cream w/Dried Figs and Apricots
Ingredients:
– 3 bananas, chopped and frozen
– chopped dried fruit (your choice!)
Serves: 2
Directions:
Peel, chop and seal the bananas in a plastic bag.
Put into the freezer overnight or at least 4-6 hours.
The next day…
Remove the bananas and food process them until the mixture is creamy and ice-cream like.
Serve:
Time to add whatever you like. You could mix the toppings with the mixture in the food processor or just add to the top of the finished product. I used dried figs and apricots.
Guiltless and SO good. You can eat this for breakfast too!
Bon Appetit!
xo Aylin