Not your every day Red Velvet cupcake

Red Velvet cupcakes
 I love experimenting with recipes - especially desserts. I really like replacing traditional ingredients with new (to me) discoveries. Recently, I've been on a huge coconut kick. Coconut milk, coconut oil, coconut water - it's all good and good for you.

If you'd like to learn more about this wonderful functional food visit the Coconut Research Center. You might just become a convert! (It's okay - it's a tasty change)

And now for the recipe! (yum) - makes 12 cupcakes

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tin with paper cupcake liners.

Ingredients

1  1/4 c. flour
3/4 c. sugar
2  1/2 tbsp. cocoa
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg, beaten
2/3 c. coconut oil
1/3 c. coconut milk
1/3c. coffee (brewed strong)
1 tbsp red food coloring
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

Mix dry ingredients in a small bowl, set aside. In a separate bowl, warm the coconut oil slightly until liquid, blend with milk and coffee. Add beaten egg, red food coloring and vanilla extract. Using a mixer on a low setting, slowly add the dry ingredient mixture until fully incorporated. Add the cupcake batter to the cupcake liners until 3/4 full. Bake for 22 minutes, or until done. (toothpick comes out clean)

Let the cupcakes cool completely and frost (frosting recipe follows). Finish by topping with coarse chopped pecans and dark chocolate.

Vanilla Sour Cream Frosting (& yes, more coconut!)

1/2 c. coconut oil
1/2 c. sour cream
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
6 c. (approx.) powdered sugar
Coconut milk

In large mixing bowl combine coconut oil, sour cream, and vanilla. Beat with electric mixer on medium for about 30 seconds. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar.  Thin with coconut milk to desired consistency. Makes about 3 1/2 cups.



Nutrition Facts (without frosting)
  12 Servings

Amount Per Serving

  Calories
229.8

  Total Fat
13.5 g

   
  Saturated Fat
11.7 g

   
  Polyunsaturated Fat
0.6 g

   
  Monounsaturated Fat
1.1 g

  Cholesterol
15.5 mg

  Sodium
200.3 mg

  Potassium
40.2 mg

  Total Carbohydrate
27.3 g

   
  Dietary Fiber
0.7 g

   
  Sugars
16.7 g

  Protein
2.1 g





  Vitamin A
0.5 %
  Vitamin B-12
0.7 %
  Vitamin B-6
0.7 %
  Vitamin C
0.0 %
  Vitamin D
0.8 %
  Vitamin E
0.1 %
  Calcium
0.5 %
  Copper
3.1 %
  Folate
6.6 %
  Iron
4.6 %
  Magnesium
2.2 %
  Manganese
6.7 %
  Niacin
4.0 %
  Pantothenic Acid    
0.8 %
  Phosphorus    
3.1 %
  Riboflavin
5.1 %
  Selenium
6.5 %
  Thiamin
6.9 %
  Zinc
1.5 %



*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Nutrition data calculated using an online calculator at http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-calculator.asp