Healthy Gluten-free Cupcakes!

Healthy Gluten-free Cupcakes!

by | Jun 30, 2022 | Breakfast Recipes, Snack and Dessert Recipes

Enjoy these delicious and nourishing cupcakes for your next celebration!  With the 4th of July around the corner, we decorated the cupcakes with a 4th of July theme, but you could decorate them in any way you like for a birthday party too!  They are delicious enough for a party, and nourishing enough for breakfast.  Adding blueberries or chocolate chips to the batter makes them perfect for breakfast muffins!

gluten free cupcake birthday party
gluten-free blueberry muffin

You can find our “America the Beautiful” 4th of July cupcake toppers in our Etsy shop.  One side has lyrics from “America the Beautiful,” and the other side has images to illustrate the lyrics.  It’s an instant download, and they can be easily printed and made, using just white cardstock, scissors, glue, and toothpicks.  The cupcake toppers come in the 4th of July party bundle, including a coordinating garland and games.  It’s a fun project for family and friends!

4th of july cupcakes

Find our cupcake toppers on Etsy!

Two kitchen items we love for making it easier to make cupcakes and muffins are the Greenlife Bakeware muffin pan and silicone baby spoons.

The Greenlife muffin pan is a healthy ceramic nonstick pan that is so easy to clean!  (We often butter the pan, to be on the safe side, but it is probably not necessary.) 

In order to avoid scratching the pan, we like to use silicone baby spoons to easily remove the cupcakes once they are done baking.

Light Buckwheat Flour

One key ingredient in this recipe is light buckwheat flour.  This is an amazing gluten-free flour that, when used in combination with almond flour, makes deliciously moist baked goods.  Sadly, it does not seem to be sold in many stores.  However, you can find it online.  We recommend buying it directly through Bouchard Family Farms, as they give significant discounts for buying multiple bags (as low as $8.50 per bag as of the writing of this post).  If you just want to try one bag, it can also be found on Amazon.  We have many recipes on www.sparklesandsprinkles.blog that call for light buckwheat flour… so you can find many ways to use it!  Try our gluten-free pizza, gluten-free cut-out cookies, gluten-free microwave mug muffins… and more to come!

Ready to make cupcakes?

This recipe makes about 18 small cupcakes (with batter filling the muffin openings about 2/3 full). 

The recipe is gluten-free.  This recipe is low-carb and does not use refined sugar.  If you are making these for a crowd used to a lot of sugar, we recommend using 4 Tbsp. maple syrup, or if you are trying to make the cupcakes as low-carb as possible, opt for only 2 Tbsp. maple syrup. 

If you need a dairy-free recipe, simply use suggested dairy-free substitutions. 

Allow the oven to preheat to 350 degrees F while preparing the batter.

cupcake ingredients

Gather your ingredients:

1 cup light buckwheat flour

1 cup almond flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

2 cups Greek yogurt (OR dairy-free substitute)

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 to 4 Tbsp. maple syrup or honey (or 4 packets SweetLeaf)

4 eggs

1 stick butter, melted; OR 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

1/4 cup almond milk

Optional:  Toppings or additional ingredients of your choice – see below for some ideas

 

kitchen supplies

Gather your kitchen supplies:

Large mixing bowl

Measuring cups (2 cup liquid measuring cup, 1 cup, 1/4 cup)

Measuring spoons (1 Tbsp., 1 tsp.)

Mixing spoons

Muffin tray

Ice cream scooper

Silicone spoon

Spatula (not pictured) – to scrape the bowl

Fork (not pictured) – to whisk the eggs

Microwave safe bowl or mug (not pictured) – to melt butter

 

Let’s Make Cupcakes!

Step 1

Measure 1 cup light buckwheat flour.

buckwheat

Step 2

Pour 1 cup light buckwheat flour into the mixing bowl.

Step 3

Measure 1 cup almond flour.

step 4

Pour 1 cup almond flour into the mixing bowl.

Step 5

Measure 2 tsp. baking powder.

Step 6

Add 2 tsp. baking powder into the mixing bowl.

Step 7

Measure 1 tsp. baking soda.

Step 8

Add 1 tsp. baking soda into the mixing bowl.

Step 9

Stir together the dry ingredients until well mixed.

Step 10

Measure 2 cups Greek yogurt.

Step 11

Scoop yogurt into the mixing bowl.

Step 12

Measure 2 tsp. vanilla extract AND add it to the mixing bowl.

Step 13

Measure 2 to 4 Tbsp. honey or maple syrup AND add it to the mixing bowl.  Or use 4 packets SweetLeaf.

Step 14

Crack 4 eggs into a mug or liquid measuring cup.

Step 15

Wisk the eggs with a fork.

Step 16

Pour the eggs into the mixing bowl.

Step 17

Stir until the batter is well combined.

Step 18

Place 1 stick of butter in a microwave safe bowl.

Step 19

Microwave about 30 seconds, or until the butter is melted.

Step 20

Pour the butter into the mixing bowl.

Step 21

Measure 1/4 cup almond milk.

Step 22

Pour the almond milk into the mixing bowl.

Step 23

Stir until well combined.

Step 24

Butter the muffin pan.

Step 25

Use an ice cream scooper to scoop the batter into the muffin pan.  Fill each opening with 1 scoop for small cupcakes (for a total of about 18 cupcakes).  If you would like larger cupcakes/muffins, add more batter to each opening (for a total of about 12 cupcakes).  We made 18 small cupcakes in the photos you see here.

Step 26 (optional)

Add chocolate chips or blueberries, etc. to make these cupcakes more like muffins.  We recommend placing a small amount of blueberries or chocolate chips on top of the batter in the muffin tin, then stirring gently with a silicone spoon.  This helps the extra ingredients to be evenly dispearsed, rather than sink to the bottom of the muffin/cupcake.

Step 27

Place the cupcakes in your oven, preheated to 350 degrees F.

Step 28

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.  Larger cupcakes/muffins may need longer baking times.  Bake until golden brown on top.  Check that a toothpick comes out clean to be sure they are well baked.

Step 29

Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.  Then use a silicone spoon to gently remove the cupcakes from the pan.  Place the cupcakes on a wire rack and allow to completely cool before decorating them.

One more yummy variation: Want to make chocolate cupcakes?

Simply stir in 5 Tbsp cocoa powder and an extra 2 Tbsp maple syrup to the batter.

gluten free cupcake birthday party

Decorate your cupcakes!

There are so many ways to decorate a cupcake!  We suggest topping them with freshly whipped cream (see our easy recipe below) or Cocowhip for a dairy-free option.  You could also use our butter-cream cheese frosting that we used in our cutout cookie recipe.  As these toppings need to be refrigerated, we recommend decorating the cupcakes shortly before serving them.  However, they can be decorated in advance and stored in the refrigerator.  Be sure to store any leftovers in the refrigerator as well.

Homemade Whipped Cream!

Store bought frosting and whipped cream tends to be very sweet, but you can easily make your own with less sugar!

Step 1

Gather your ingredients:  heavy cream (16 oz. container), sweetener (honey, maple syrup, or SweetLeaf), and vanilla extract (optional).

Step 2

Pour the heavy cream into the bowl of a stand mixer.

Step 3

Using the whisk attachment, starting on a low speed, and increasing the speed gradually, whisk the heavy cream until it starts to stiffen.

Step 4

When the cream is almost as stiff as you would like it to be, add some sweetener (about 1 Tbsp. maple syrup to your taste) and vanilla (about 1 tsp. – optional).

whipped cream low sugar

Step 5

Continue to whip the cream, along with the sweetener and vanilla, until it gets as thick as you would like it to be.  WARNING – Watch it carefully – it will turn to butter if it gets whipped too long.

Decorate!

We topped these cupcakes with whipped cream, then added blueberries and strawberries for a patriotic 4th of July theme.  If you would like these “America the Beautiful” cupcakes toppers, they can be found on Etsy.

Note:  Some links on this page are Amazon Affiliate links.  Sparkles and Sprinkles is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Other links may or may not be affiliate links.  We provide links because we have found these products or services beneficial, and we think you might too.

Baking Contest!

Baking Contest!

by | Apr 22, 2022 | Breakfast Recipes, Snack and Dessert Recipes

Are you ready to create a delicious gluten-free mug cake?  Read below to find out how to enter our very first baking contest at Sparkles and Sprinkles (and find out about the fun prizes)!  Then spread the word to your friends and family so that they can enter the contest or vote for your recipe!

Mug Muffin Baking Contest Rules:

We will accept contest entries from April 28th through June 20, 2022.

You must be subscribed to sparklesandsprinkles.blog in order to participate in the contest (this is so that we can update you with any contest information… for example, letting you know the details about voting and announcing the winners!).  If you are not already subscribed, you may use the link at the bottom of this page to subscribe.  Subscribing is free, and you can cancel at any time.

To make your mug muffin or mug cake for the contest, please do the following:

    • Use our basic mug muffin recipe as a base for your special recipe.
    • Add ingredients of your choice to make a unique and delicious mug muffin or mug cake (for example, cinnamon, berries, or chocolate chips… but don’t let our suggestions limit you!).
    • You may modify the quantities in our basic mug muffin recipe; however, the following ingredients need to be used as the base of your recipe: butter, almond flour, light buckwheat flour, baking powder, Greek yogurt, almond milk, and a sweetener of your choice. (If you do not have light buckwheat flour, you may try another flour, but some flours may not work well for this recipe – we have found light buckwheat is a key ingredient.)

Once you have created and tested your delicious recipe, fill out this form to tell us about your recipe.  You will need to know the quantities of special ingredients in your recipe.  You will also need to give any special instructions for making the recipe.  For example, let us know if you need to use less almond milk or yogurt because you added another moist ingredients like pumpkin or applesauce.  Also, let us know if you add your special ingredients into the batter or if they are used as a topping.

Before you fill out the form, be sure to have a photo (a JPG file) of your mug cake ready.  The photo must actually be of the mug cake you made (not a photo you find online of a mug cake).  The photo cannot show people.  We will post this photo with your recipe on our Website and voting platform.

You will need to give your recipe a unique name of your choosing (for example, “Dreamy Chocolate Mug Cake”).  We will use this name in connection with your recipe and mug cake photo on our Website and voting platform.

You will need to provide your first name on the form.  For privacy’s sake, you can choose to create a pen name instead of your real name.  The name you provide in the form will be used when we post your recipe on our site (we will not post email addresses or last names).  Including your age is optional.

Only one recipe entry per person will be accepted.  (We understand that if more than one person in a family is entering the contest, the email given on the form may be used more than once.)

By choosing to participate in the contest, you give www.sparklesandsprinkles.blog permission to use your submitted photo and recipe on our Website, in email communication, and in our voting platform.  Sparkles and Sprinkles reserves the right to edit your recipe and/or ask you to make changes to your submission before posting your submission if we decide it is necessary.

Any questions regarding contest entries should be sent to this email:  sparklesandsprinkles.yt@gmail.com.  Please put

“Contest question” and your name in the subject line of your email.

CONTEST DATES HAVE BEEN UPDATED (as of May 15th)!

 We will accept contest entries from April 28th through June 20, 2022.

We will post contest entries in late June.

Voting will take place in at the beginning of July.  Once you submit your recipe, be sure to spread the word to your friends and family, so that they can vote!

Winners will be announced in mid July 2022.

The top three mug muffin recipes (based on votes from our readers) will be able to select a prize (see below).

As this is our first contest at Sparkles and Sprinkles, details of the contest are subject to change (though it is not our intention to make changes).

Ready to submit your recipe?  Click here to share your recipe and photo.

 

CONTEST PRIZES

Our top three entries (based on votes) will get to select a prize of their choice from the following fun options:

$ 10 Amazon Gift Card

Spend it on baking supplies or whatever you like!

Sparkles and Sprinkles Tea Towel

Be the very first to have a Sparkles and Sprinkles Tea Towel, made just for us by Amanda Lawley Designs.

Sophie Mouse Books

Choose 2 Sophie Mouse books.  Sophie Mouse loves to bake too!  

Have fun baking!

Easter Cut-out cookies {gluten-free, egg-free, low-carb}

Easter Cut-out cookies {gluten-free, egg-free, low-carb}

by | Mar 31, 2022 | Snack and Dessert Recipes

We are so excited to share this cut-out cookie recipe with you!  Our ten-year-old daughter created this recipe a few weeks ago and asked if we could add it to the blog.  I initially told her, “Well, that will be great to save for Christmas-time.”  Once I tried the cookies, I changed my mind.  This cookie recipe is too good to wait until Christmas… so let’s make some Easter cookies!

We’ve tried a number of gluten-free low-carb cut-out cookie recipes over the years, and this one is a winner… only a few ingredients, faster than regular sugar cookies (no need to refrigerate the dough), egg-free (so less worry about a mess with kids), and very YUMMY!

This recipe makes about a dozen medium-sized cookies.  We entered our recipe into the Very Well Fit Nutrition Calculator, and found that each cookie will have about 11 g net carbs if using 1/2 cup coconut sugar or 7 g net carbs if using 1/4 cup coconut sugar (this calculation does not include the frosting or sprinkles, which would add a minimal amount of carbs).  So, get ready to enjoy… guilt-free! 

 

We found these adorable Easter cookie cutters from Ann Clark – they are made in the USA.  They worked really well for our Easter cookies!

Easter Cookie Cutters Ann Clark USA
Nativo natural sprinkles

We also decided it was time to be true to our name and add some sprinkles to this recipe.  We tried Nativo rainbow sprinkles – they are perfect pastel colors for Easter.  They are low-carb and colored with natural colors.  Our children thought they were good enough to eat by the spoonful while we were decorating cookies!  One little note, though, we would not recommend baking them into the cookies (they “melt” right into the dough).  They are best used sprinkled over frosting.

Let’s Make Easter Cookies!

Easter cookie ingredients

Gather your ingredients:

For the cookies…

  • 1 cup light buckwheat flour
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
  • 1/4 to 1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk (plain or vanilla)

For the decorations…

  • 1 – 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
  • Sweetener of your choice (maple syrup, stevia powder, or honey)
  • Natural sprinkles

 

Gather your kitchen supplies:

For the cookies…

  • 1 cup measuring cup
  • 1/2 cup (or 1/4 cup) measuring cup
  • 1 tsp spoon
  • a small liquid measuring cup
  • a microwave-safe mug or dish for melting butter
  • a large spoon for stirring
  • a large bowl for mixing
  • a flat tray or baking sheet lined with parchment paper
  • a cooling rack and metal spatula
  • a serving platter

For the frosting…  

  • a stand mixer with a bowl and paddle attachment or a bowl and spoon to stir by hand
  • a knife or spatula to spread the frosting

Easter cookie kitchen supplies

Measure, mix, cut out, and bake!

Allow your oven to preheat to 350 degrees F while you are making the dough.

1 cup almond flour

Step 1

Measure 1 cup of almond flour.

almond flour

Step 2

Pour the almond flour into the mixing bowl.

light buckwheat

Step 3

Measure 1 cup light buckwheat flour.

light buckwheat

Step 4

Add the light buckwheat to the mixing bowl.

coconut sugar

Step 5

Measure coconut sugar.  Use 1/2 cup for sweeter cookies, or as little as 1/4 cup for lower-carb cookies.

coconut sugar

Step 6

Add the coconut sugar to the mixing bowl.

flaxseed meal

Step 7

Measure 1 tsp baking powder.

flaxseed meal

Step 8

Add the baking powder to the mixing bowl.

flaxseed meal

Step 9

Stir together the dry ingredients until well mixed.

flaxseed meal

Step 10

Place one stick of butter into a microwave safe dish or mug.

flaxseed meal

Step 11

Microwave the butter on high for about 30 seconds, or until melted.

flaxseed meal

Step 12

Pour the melted butter into the mixing bowl and stir.

flaxseed meal

Step 13

Add 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional) – we find the cookies are great with or without vanilla.

flaxseed meal

Step 14

Measure the almond milk.  Start with 1/4 cup, add more if needed.

flaxseed meal

Step 15

Pour the almond milk into the mixing bowl and stir.

flaxseed meal

Step 16

Use your hands to continue to mix the dough until it forms a ball.  If needed, add more almond milk, or more light buckwheat to make it easy to handle.  

flaxseed meal

Step 17

Place the ball of dough on a sheet of parchment paper on the counter.

Easter cut-out cookies

Step 18 (Option A)

Use your hands to press dough out until it is about 1/4″ thick.

flaxseed meal

Step 18 (Option B)

Or place parchment paper on top of the dough and use a rolling pin to roll out dough, until it is about 1/4″ thick.

Easter cut-out cookies

Step 19

Place cookie cutters into the dough.  Pull extra dough away from cookie cutters while the cookie cutters are still in place.

flaxseed meal

Step 20

Carefully lift the cut out cookies onto the parchment lined baking tray.

Easter cut-out cookies

Step 21

Place tray of cookies in the oven (pre-heated to 350 degrees F).  Bake for 10 minutes, then check on cookies.

flaxseed meal

Step 22

After 10 minutes, check on cookies.  Add a minute or two at a time, until the cookies are golden brown on the edges and firm to the touch.  They may need up to 14 minutes total baking time.

Easter cut-out cookies

Step 23

After a few minutes, use a spatula to carefully transfer the cookies to a cooling rack.  Repeat steps 17 to 23 for any remaining dough.  Allow cookies to cool completely before decorating them.

Time to decorate!

flaxseed meal

Step 1

To make the frosting, place softened stick of butter and package of cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer (or in another bowl if mixing by hand).  Cream together the butter and cream cheese.

Easter cut-out cookies

Step 2

Add sweetener of your choice.  If using a liquid sweetener (like maple syrup or honey), be careful not to use too much, or the frosting may be runny.  We used 1 T maple syrup and 1 packet Sweet Leaf powder for our frosting.

flaxseed meal

Step 3

(Optional) Add flavoring to your frosting.   We used 1 tsp vanilla extract.

Easter cut-out cookies

Step 4

Cream all ingredients together until smooth.

flaxseed meal

Step 5

Spread frosting on the cookies (make sure the cookies are cooled before frosting them).

Easter cut-out cookies

Step 6

Sprinkle

with

SPRINKLES!

flaxseed meal

Step 7

Be creative with your own ways to decorate the cookies.  We cut off a corner of a ziplock bag to pipe a wooly look on our lamb cookies (you could also use a cookie decorating piping kit).

bunny cookie

Step 8

Enjoy!

(Be sure to refrigerate any leftover decorated cookies.  The cream cheese frosting should probably not be left out more than a couple hours.)

Happy Easter!

Note:  Some links on this page are Amazon Affiliate links.  Sparkles and Sprinkles is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Other links may or may not be affiliate links.  We provide links because we have found these products or services beneficial, and we think you might too.