Meet Steve

Hello!  Please meet Steve.

Steve is a super loyal friend and caring individual.  Everything about him is just so funny, cute, and inspiring.

All the way from his crazy facial expressions to his persevering attitude about life is truly contagious.  I still remember the very first time that I met him at school while working with CCC.  (I mentioned it once, and you can read about our engagement too )  His longing to make others smile and become a long lasting and loyal friend is something that I have always loved about Steve.

(Not enough space in this room and hard to work with the lighting )

One faithful day (not long after Greg and I had become friends!)  Steve noticed Greg’s caring attitude and personality, while Greg was drawn to this man’s zest for life. 

Steve’s birthday was on Sunday, the 7th of August and we got to celebrate it on Thursday!  We dined at Buca Di Beppo–an excellent Italian family restaurant.

(I think the cam doesn’t like me haha)

Now, Steve struggles with many physical ailments and I know that he has a hard time digesting most foods.  Not to mention, he is quite used to eating many greasy foods.

This is obviously his choice, and though this can be a bit concerning, no one should ever go without a cake cupcake on their birthday right?!   So Steve was not left cupcake-less.

“Hmmm…what to make, what to make…?” were my initial thoughts on the day of.

*Ding*!

“I know!  I shall bake him somewhat healthier cupcakes that are full of fiber, nutrients, less sugar, less calories, and still delicious without sacrificing the flavor!”

I present you my “Choco Chip Cupcakes with Choco PB Frosting”, AKA CCCCPBF.

Choco Chip Cupcakes with Choco PB Frosting

Ingredients for cupcakes:

• 1 1/2 C white all purpose flour
• 1/2 C coconut flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp sea salt (or salt)
• 1 C sour milk ***
• 2 cold eggs
• 1/4 C softened butter (or Earth Balance)
• 1/2 C raw cane sugar
• 3 packets of Nunaturals Stevia
• 1 TBSP vanilla
• 1/2 C dark chocolate chips

Ingredients for frosting:

• 1 1/2 C powder sugar
• 1/2 C butter (or EB)
• 6 TBSP creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 C melted dark choc chips

Directions:

• Preheat your oven to 350 F.
• ***To make the sour milk, pour 1 TBSP of vinegar or lemon juice in a liquid measuring cup, and add almond milk (or plain milk) until it reaches 1 C total.  Let it sit out for at least 10 minutes.
• Mix all of the dry cupcake ingredients first in a large bowl with a beater, or in a stand mixer bowl.  Do not put in chocolate chips yet.
• Then, slightly soften the butter in a microwave or you can let it sit out a few hours before baking.
• Add all the wet ingredients and let the mixer incorporate everything evenly without over-mixing it.  Add the choc chips at the very end.
• Finally, pour the batter into a lined cupcake pan about 3/4 of the way up.
• Bake it for approximately 22-24 minutes or when toothpick comes out clean.

For the frosting:

• Melt the choc chips in the microwave and stir until it is smooth.
• In a stand mixer or with a beater, blend all the wet ingredients together until it is creamy and smooth.
• Add the powdered sugar and mix for about 1 minute.
• Put in the fridge for about 20 minutes or until cupcakes are ready to be frosted.

Taste test first you know?  Hence, the big hole in the middle.

Literally finger lickin’ good….

I accidentally left the frosting in the fridge for way too long and it would not come out through the pipers!  Random photo of Daniel.  He’s obsessed with blueberries!

Ahhh now that’s better.  Surprisingly, they came out quite beautiful!

Lo and behold, when Steve took a bite out of these little beauties, I had no idea what he would think.

As he took his first bite, he had a funny expression that kept me waiting in suspense.  Then, here came a sniff with his finger rubbing under his nose.

That meant he loved them and fortunately, he enjoyed them more than I had expected.  Wahoo success!!

Happy birthday Steve, and happy friendship despite the fact that we don’t get to see each other that often.  You are a loyal friend and we love you!

***********

You may have noticed that I’ve used Nunaturals Stevia about two times!  Several weeks ago I received the package full of the goodies (some not pictured) that I won from Kat’s giveaway.  Thanks girl! <3

It is truly an awesome ingredient for when I am looking for low sugar alternatives!  There are so many people who can’t eat sugar for various reasons.  However, the taste doesn’t have to be compromised in the process of baking delicious treats.

Do you have people in your life whom you don’t get to see very often, but you feel so connected to them?

Have you baked with coconut flour before? 

-It definitely needs more binding liquids but it’s nutritious and delicious!

Love,

Ellie <33

Tagged as: birthday, coconut flour, cupcakes, friendships, love, Nunaturals Stevia