Most of the gluten free baking recipes I have seen have a complicated list of ingredients. This recipe from Against all Grain uses only almond flour, honey and coconut oil along with fresh strawberries. The frosting is an Italian meringue made from egg white and honey. Fresh strawberries can be used in the frosting as well. It’s summer – the best time of year to use fresh fruit!
Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes
Ingredients (yields 1 dozen)
2½ cups blanched almond flour
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon sea salt
2/3 cup honey
1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon lemon zest
½ cup finely chopped strawberries
Frosting
2 egg whites, room temperature
1/3 cup honey
¼ teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar
1½ tablespoons strawberry preserves (freshly pureed strawberries will work too)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Line a standard muffin tin with baking cups.
Combine the honey, coconut oil, eggs, lemon juice, vanilla, and lemon zest in the jar of a blender. Puree on medium speed for 20 seconds or until frothy and smooth.
Add the dry ingredients and blend on high for 30-45 seconds. The batter should be very smooth and contain no lumps. If needed, scrape down the sides with a spatula and blend again for a few seconds until all of the dry mixture is incorporated.
Gently fold the chopped strawberries in by hand. Divide the batter evenly into the muffin tin, filling about 3/4 of the way full.
Bake for 16-18 minutes, until a toothpick can be inserted into the middle and comes out clean.
Let the cupcakes cool completely on the counter before frosting.
