Chocolate cupcakes

For years I searched for the perfect chocolate cake recipe. I tried so many combinations of things. Butter, cream, chocolate, oil. Nothing gave it that rich flavour and moist texture I desired. You know the cake I mean, the one the kid has to eat in front of the entire school in the Movie Matilda. Every kid wanted that cake. 

Eventually, I got the combination just right. I started making these as cupcakes about 7 years ago, but only had a high speed blender at the time. I made them so often, they are usually made just by feel these days. 

I have had family asking for this recipe for years. I'm not even exaggerating. I have always intended to pass it on to them, but every time they ask me to make it I just never got around to writing it down.

So here it goes. They get it the same time as you do.

Rich Chocolate Cupcakes
(makes 12 regular size)

150g almonds
200g dates
125g water
3 eggs
2 Tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
65g cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
Pinch salt

Add almonds to the bowl. Blend on turbo for 2 sec 2-3 times until fine.
Remove almond meal. Without washing bowl add dates and water. Blend sp 7 for 15 sec then scrape down sides and blend sp 3 for 10 sec.
Add eggs, coconut oil and vanilla bean paste. Blend sp 4 for 3 sec.
Add reserved almond meal, cocoa, baking soda and salt.
Combine sp 5 for 15 sec.

Spoon into muffin cases or silicone muffin tray.
Bake at 160°C for 15-20 min, until a toothpick inserted to centre comes out clean.

You can also use this recipe for a cake. Bake 30-40 min, until a toothpick inserted to centre comes out clean.

Apple Crumble Smoothie

There is something about winter that just screams apple crumble. It has rained on and off all day today and we have had to have the heat pump running constantly. If that doesn't say Auckland winter, I don't know what does.

We already have plans for dinner and dessert, so why not a mid-afternoon smoothie?

This smoothie takes me back to the winter days of my childhood. I would come home from school and mum would have a hearty dinner waiting for us, then we would get into our pyjamas and sit around the potbelly stove eating a great big bowl of apple crumble before bed. 

Apple Crumble Smoothie

(serves 2)

3 small granny smith apples (or 2 medium, approx 300g), cored and quartered

1/2 tsp cinnamon

pinch nutmeg

50g rolled oats

30g almonds

200g milk (we use non-dairy milks, this time we used rice)

200g water

100g ice 

Put all ingredients in mixing bowl and blend for 2.5 minutes/speed 10. 

Pour into glass and serve.