Paleo Diet Fig Newton Cupcakes

Next to chocolate chip, I think Fig Newtons might be my next favorite cookie flavor.  Considering there is “fruit” in the filling, I can almost convince myself they are healthy.  Almost. Now that Cupcake Project devised this diet version of a Paleo friendly fig newton cupcake, I can have a cupcake that tastes like the cookie AND it is sort of healthier than a regular cupcake.  Or at least it seems that way in my head.

Paleo Diet Fig Newton Cupcakes

Makes about 8 cupcakes

Filling Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dried black mission figs, stems removed
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons agave nectar
• pinch cinnamon

• 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons almond meal
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 cup honey
• 4 large eggs
• 1/4 cup applesauce

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup honey
• Dried figs for topping, optional

Instructions

1. Place figs in a food processor with all other filling ingredients. Process until smooth.

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine almond meal, coconut flour, and baking soda.
3. In a small bowl, combine salt, vanilla, lemon juice, coconut oil, honey, eggs, and applesauce.
4. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
5. Fill cupcake liners 1/4 full with cupcake batter.
6. Add a heaping tablespoon of fig filling over batter in each liner.
7. Top filling with enough batter to fill liners 3/4 full.
8. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out dry.

1. Place coconut oil and honey in a small bowl and use a hand mixer or an immersion blender to fully mix the two ingredients.
2. Leave the frosting on the counter for a few hours to thicken. It will be more runny right after mixing.
3. Spread on cooled cupcakes.
4. Optionally top with sliced dried figs.

Note: The cupcakes stick to regular cupcake liners, so be sure to use grease-proof liners or silicone liners.