PECAN DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

It’s like a Reese’s cup, WITH A TWIST…turned into a cupcake! These Gluten Free PECAN Chocolate Cupcakes are the best gluten free cupcakes ever! They’re moist, decadent and no one will ever guess they’re gluten free!

A Pecan Chocolate Duo….

It’s always a good idea to have desserts with benefits.

We needed a treat around here that doesn’t make us cringe with guilt every time a dessert is eaten.

So, I created a dessert which received a passing grade, that is fast, free from refined sugars and artificial ingredients.

A dessert that does not irritate our hormones as much as those commercial refined cupcakes, less is more when it comes to home baking.

Cacao is full of antioxidants in it’s raw state. The amazing health benefits include reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease, reducing blood pressure, reducing risk of having a stroke, and protecting your cells from damage. These antioxidants can actually repair the damage to cells caused by free radicals.

Cacao is also a source of some very important minerals that we all need to make sure we are getting. The minerals magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium, zinc, copper, and manganese are important for hormonal balance.

I always aim in using less sugars within my recipes, especially refined sugars, or any sugars that cause our blood sugar to spike. Why? I am very conscious of not adding refined sugars to my meals, since it is not hormone friendly. Especially for women whom are dealing with hormone imbalances, like me!

Sugar is not only responsible for those highs and lows in mood and energy, it can also disrupt one of the most powerful hormones in the body: Known as insulin.

And insulin is closely connected to all of the other hormones in your body, including estrogen and testosterone.

Sugars are sneaky and can lead to more hormonal imbalances, refined sugar is also known for stressing your adrenal glands (which regulate cortisol, the stress hormone, and aldosterone, which controls your blood pressure) and your thyroid (which secretes hormones responsible for maintaining your metabolism, cognitive function and body temperature.) Cortisol levels often rise when there is an increase in blood sugar levels, which means our stress levels become less manageable, and we’re likely to feel exhausted, wired and anxious.

These cupcakes are rich with a moist pecan chocolatey-ness.

Raw Cacao helps lower cortisol when it comes to hormonal health, as well as managing insulin.

The chocolate flavor comes from raw cacao and sugar free dark chocolate with a creamy texture by adding @noya.nutbutter new version, PECAN Nut butter… 🤤

Please note there is a difference when it comes to commercial milk chocolate vs raw dark cacao… 💫

6 - 8 Cupcakes depending on the size of the mould

PECAN DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

INGREDIENTS

1 Cup gluten free flour

2 Servings Nuzest Clean Lean Vanilla protein

1 Tsp baking powder

1 Tbsp baking soda

3 Large eggs

1/2 Cup runny pecan nut butter

1/3 Cup monk fruit syrup

1/2 Cup coconut milk

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Position rack in center of oven. Line cupcake pan with paper liners; set aside.

In your large bowl add all the ingredients together, mix well until a smooth and even consistency is achieved.

Spoon batter evenly into cupcake liners. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the centers springs back when touched and cupcakes are very lightly browned.

Let cool in the pan on rack for five minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan onto rack and cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting and filling, I used a combination of melted dark sugar free chocolate and runny pecan nut butter.

Sprinkle with some pieces of cupcake crumble, almonds enjoy x

NOTES: ** PS, as some ratio's may vary depending on your measuring tools you have, ensure you have a dough like consistency at the end when all the ingredients are mixed. If the mixture is too dry, add a little more nut milk. If too wet, add a little more gluten free flour.