Chocolaty PALEO Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache

Chocolate cupcakes with zero guilt?  

Yes, please…

These delightful treats are grain free and are sweetened with honey and real vanilla extract.

Though you are using coconut flour and coconut oil, there is very little coconut flavor detected in these little cakes.  They come across as rich and chocolately in flavor and will surely meet the approval of your family and friends.

Ingredients:

Cake -

• 1/2 C coconut flour

• 1/2 C cocoa powder

• 1/2 tsp sea salt

• 1/4 tsp cinnamon 

• 8 eggs

• 1/2 C coconut oil melted

• 2/3 C honey

• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Ganache -

• 1 C high quality chocolate (chopped up)

• 1.5 tbs grass fed butter

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Fill your cupcake pan with 12 liners and preheat the oven to 350 degrees..

2. In a medium sized bowl, blend all of your dry ingredients and set them aside.  In a large bowl, combine your coconut oil, honey & vanilla.  Add your pile of eggs, one at a time (coconut flour absorbs the moisture out of your batter, like a vacuum.  Eggs will help to retain the moisture in your cake)  Now, add it all together and mix it up, using a wire whisk, until you've removed any lumps and it's nice and creamy.

3. Spoon your batter into the cupcake pan and place it in the oven...

4. They should bake for about 15 minutes but every oven is different.  I like to use the finger test.. Press lightly on the center of the cake.  If you don't lose your finger in the cupcake and it bounces back, you're good to go.  

5. Next, prepare your ganache..  Simply melt the chocolate chunks and butter in the microwave for 20 or so seconds - whisk together and spoon onto the tops of the cakes.  Easy peasy lemon squeezy.  

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Chocolaty PALEO Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache AT HOME

THE PLAY-BY-PLAY IN PHOTOS

Chocolaty PALEO Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache - MIX

Chocolaty PALEO Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache - POUR

Chocolaty PALEO Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache - BAKE

Chocolaty PALEO Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache - ENJOY!

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All Done!

Fresh and made with love - right from your very own kitchen.

Good job! 😋

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Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Bacon & Jalapeno

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Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Bacon & Jalapeno

SOUP THAT WILL WARM YOU STOMACH…

AND YOUR IMMORTAL SOUL

Against my better judgement and solely for the sake of sending my body into a fat burning frenzy, I've been in phase 1 of Atkins world.

Cheese, bacon, fat, cream and  (vegetables in moderation) is only fun for about 12 hours.   I've never fantasized more about fruit and nuts in my life..  So, with this said, I introduce this creamy cauliflower soup that has all the tools needed for Atkins, phase 1.  Or, if you love comfort food, this soup is for you.. You can also make easy substitutions to make it a healthy choice...  Sub olive oil for butter, omit the bacon fat and use greek yogurt and chicken stock in place of the cream.   Additionally, I think this is a great kid friendly soup, as long as you don't overdo it with the jalapenos..  I personally like to put jalapenos in anything I can because of it's awesome health benefits and it speeds up your metabolism.  My 16 year old daughter eats jalapenos raw..  I'm so proud.

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Let's face it, this isn't a health food recipe.

 Although, there are things we can do to soften the blow.

 I start with Trader Joes, uncured bacon "pieces". (and you can skip the step where I scrape the fat into the pan and saute the vegetables in it)  Since we are just going to chop it up, pretty & neat strips are unnecessary.   Choose organic vegetables and always try to use grass fed butter and dairy products.  

In another few days, this clear betrayal that I've put my body through, will be complete and I'll be back on the fruit, nuts and greek yogurt.  But until then, bring on the fat..  Here's how you do it.. 

Ingredients..

• I head of cauliflower

• 1 jalapeno pepper chopped

• 1 cup chopped leek

• 2 tablespoons of butter

• 1/2 lb cooked bacon (save the bacon fat)

• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• approximately 2 cups of water

• 1 cup of heavy cream or 1/2 & 1/2

• Salt & Pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.  Cook your bacon until crisp.

2. Saute the jalapeno in leek in the butter and remaining bacon fat until tender.

3. Add cauliflower, water & bacon pieces.  Cover and simmer until cauliflower is soft.

4. Add cheddar & cream and puree.  I use an immersion blender but a standard countertop blender will suffice as well.

5.  Salt & Pepper to taste..

...Garnish with hot pepper flakes and sliced avocado!

#atkins #kidfriendly #cauliflower

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All Done!

Fresh and made with love - right from your very own kitchen.

Good job! 😋

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