Thursday, January 16, 2014

Agave Sweetened Cupcakes

  


If you know me at all you know I am not much of a cook nor a baker. Having pretty intense hypoglycemia has made me try my hand at baking to satisfy my sweet tooth (which is huge).    I think I finally hit a home run with my  latest attempt, agave sweetened cupcakes.  This recipe has been adapted from several recipes I have seen.  To me they taste fantastic, to Mr. 20 year old, who unfortunately inherited this condition from me says they are, "Okay".  I am taking that as a compliment as usually he completely turns up his nose at my various attempts to bake.  Remember these do not have sugar, but they are high in fat so not necessarily a health food.

Agave Sweetened Cupcakes
 2 cups of flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
Mix the above together and set aside
(if you want chocolate cupcakes add in 4 Tablespoons of unsweetened organic cocoa and reduce the flour a tad)
 
3/4 cup butter softened
3 large eggs
1/2 cup agave
2 Tablespoons of Vanilla 
Mix together with a blender, add the dry mixture and mix until you have a cake type batter.  If it is too wet add a bit of flour, if too dry add a bit of agave.

Spoon into cupcake cups, bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes

Cream Cheese Frosting
 Soften 8 oz of cream cheese (Not whipped)
Soften 1/2 cup of butter
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1/2 cup of agave
Mix ingredients together with a blender and taste to make sure it is sweet enough.
If you want chocolate frosting add 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa to the mixture and a touch more agave to make up for the bitterness of the cocoa.

Place frosting in the refrigerator until the cupcakes have cooled, frost and enjoy.

I like to keep my cupcakes out in a covered container, they get a bit dense when left in the refrigerator.  I keep my frosting in a container in the fridge and frost one at a time as needed.

Hope you like them, Sofie the Sheep sure does.
Enjoy!

40 comments:

Susanne Tyree said...

Often we have to make do with what there is available to us when it comes to restrictions in our diet. I have no clue as to what that cupcake tastes like but it sure looks good and my mouth is watering. It sure does take a pretty picture, lol
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)

linda said...

They look yummy Meredith, I could just take a bite out of each right now. :)

Andrea Ostapovitch said...

I've never tried agave sweetener before. I wanted to lick the screen when I scrolled down and seen the chocolate one. Looks divine!
Andrea

Amy at love made my home said...

Hi, I'm new to your blog! Looking forward to reading along. Your cupcakes look great! xx

Betsy said...

Too funny! I just took a cake out of the oven-sweetened with real sugar though. Your little lamb looks like it's ready to take a bite. (And I love the little doily it's sitting on.)
Blessings,
Betsy

Betsy said...

Too funny! I just took a cake out of the oven-sweetened with real sugar though. Your little lamb looks like it's ready to take a bite. (And I love the little doily it's sitting on.)
Blessings,
Betsy

kathyinozarks said...

they look delicious-I love using agave too in baking, I have also been using coconut sugar which kinda tastes like a brown sugar-low glycemic too

kathyinozarks said...

I forgot to mention what a gorgeous presentation-hugs

Stins said...

Looking good! I'm not such a fan of cooking, but baking I like better ;-).
I just baked some cookies that you might like too!
(it also involves agave syrup...) I will put the recipe on my blog tomorrow...
Love from Mirjam.

Unknown said...

They look delious! Even that precious little sheep looks like he is about to enjoy a bite. I am going to try your recipe this weekend!

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

You are so cute Meredith! Love your cupcake post, they sure look good. I also have never baked with agave, BUT I have it in my pantry!!!! (with a lot of things I don't use) Little Sofie seems happy and content. Enjoy❤
xoRobin

CJ said...

This is a really interesting recipe. I struggle with low blood sugar as well, and I always feel heaps better when I avoid sweet things altogether. I shall look out for agave syrup the next time I'm in a good whole food shop.

Jennifer Hays said...

I think they sound wonderful. I'm trying to be more careful with sugar myself. Type II diabetes runs in my family and it seems like a good idea to start watching before anything develops.

RedSetter said...

These look lovely but I am not a cake-y lover so could I just have a cuddle of sheepy?

I bought agave nectar a few months ago but have only test tasted it and a friend used it as a sugar substitute in her tea. I must try using it properly.

Anonymous said...

Your cakes look too good to eat! I love the look of cakes but rarely enjoy them when I have one to eat. Maybe I will try your recipe.

Home Meadows said...

Looks like Sofie is enjoying her sweet treat. :-) Hope you are having a great day. Heather

elns said...

What are you doing to me? I've been so good with the exercise and I'm even watering down my sweetened jar lemonade ... and now I'm dissolving into a need for chocolate cupcakes, cake, chocolate, some form of the above. sigh. hehe tasty!

Clare said...

They do look good, I must not be tempted as trying to stick to a anti imflammatory diet at the mo
Clare x

kathy b said...

What a very good idea Mere, to frost each one as needed. My frosting hardens too much. Im going to try your technique

kathy b said...

What a very good idea Mere, to frost each one as needed. My frosting hardens too much. Im going to try your technique

Anonymous said...

Are you sure Sophie should be having some of those? She looks a little "fluffy".

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Sofie is adorable! :)

The cup cakes look yummy, too. :)

Blessings always

Teresa Kasner said...

I'm happy you've found something that works for you.. they do look totally yummy! I had planned on making zucchini bread today but had to attend an unplanned meeting. :-( Maybe tomorrow!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

RURAL said...

My Dad was using Agave for a while, since he can't have sugar...so I am always on the lookout for recipes for him.

They do look delish.

Jen

Joyful said...

The cupcakes look pretty yummy! I like the sheep too ;-)

Taci simmons said...

They look delicious my dear friend. I would love a bite :)

Taci simmons said...

They look delicious my dear friend. I would love a bite :)

Kris said...

Love the colors you are using in the flowers! So pretty!! The cupcakes look SO good!!! I am in bed, and now I may need to get up and go find something to satisfy my sweet tooth!!!!
Now....I missed a couple posts. The previous post...re Downton Abbey...I was SO upset...so upset with what happened. So unnecessary, and I am so far, NOT Thrilled with the new season! Dang, and I wanted to love it. I agree, that it is superbly acted. But they are going to lose their following a bit, I am afraid!
Enjoy the weekend, my friend!!
xo Kris

gilly said...

Healthy or not, they look absolutely yummy! And if Sophie approves, they must definitely be delicious :-)
Thanks for sharing the recipe. Have a happy weekend,
Xx

Unknown said...

Those look terrific! I have the agave in the cupboard, I'm going to give this a go! And the crochet 'coasters' look super sweet beneath the cakes! Chrissie x

Tanna said...

Oh, I'd love one of each to go with my cup of coffee right now! ;) Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Meredith! blessings and hugs ~ tanna

Pradeepa said...

Mmm... the cupcakes look so yummy. I am trying to stay away from baking at least for this one month, but your cupcakes are tempting me.

kristieinbc said...

These sound great Meredith! I wonder if they would work with gluten-free flour? Even if they weren't quite as good, I'm sure the cream cheese icing would make up for any lack of flavour the cupcakes had. :-)

Linda said...

Hello Meredith, a comment of 'they're okay' from your Mr 20 year old can certainly be viewed as compliment in my opinion. These cup cakes look scrummy delicious x

Claudia said...

Yay! The recipe! I just wish it was fat-free. Maybe we can talk tomorrow. I've calmed down. Cleaned like crazy today.

xoxo
Claudia

Needles and Wool said...

Those look tasty! hope you enjoyed them, i;ll have to try to make them myself!
Lisa

moonstruckcreations said...

Oh my goodness, these look so delicious Meredith!

I bet they didn't hang around for long!

Helenxx

Anonymous said...

We share that sweet tooth! :D The recipe sounds like something I'm going to have to try... when I have one of those energy days and just have to bake. I used to bake all the time, in fact I did wedding cakes as a business... boy was that stressful and a lot of hard work. Let's just say the novelty wore off quickly! :D
Thanks for sharing!
Hugs my sweet blogging sister,
Beth P

Astri said...

Oh these look delicious. I have to be careful with sugar so this is perfect! Oh and you had me at cream cheese...

Thanks for recipe!

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Yum...they certainly look delicious!
Hugs, Patti