Gluten-Free Lime Cupcakes with Vegan Coconut Frosting

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 cup blanched almond flour
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup grapeseed oil
• 1/2 cup agave nectar
• 2 tablespoons firmly packed lime zest (plus more to decorate (about 3 limes))
• 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
• 1/2 cup agave nectar
• 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 cup coconut oil (melted over very low heat)

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Grain-Free Lime Cupcakes ---

2. 2

   Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 10 muffin cups with paper liners.

3. 3

   In a large bowl, combine the coconut flour, almond flour, salt, and baking soda. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, grapeseed oil, agave nectar, and 2 tablespoons lime zest. Blend the wet ingredients into the coconut flour mixture with a handheld mixer until thoroughly combined.

4. 4

   Scoop 1/4 cup of batter into each prepared muffin cup.

5. 5

   Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached.

6. 6

   Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 1 hour, then frost, sprinkle with the remaining lime zest, and serve.

7. 7

   --- Vegan Coconut Frosting ---

8. 8

   In a medium saucepan, bring the coconut milk and agave nectar to a boil over medium heat. Whisk the ingredients together, then decrease the heat and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, to reduce just slightly, stirring frequently.

9. 9

   In a small bowl, dissolve the arrowroot powder in water, stirring to make a slurry. Increase the heat under the saucepan to medium-high so the mixture is bubbling. Add the arrowroot slurry to the coconut mixture, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens and turns opaque and shiny, about 1 minute. Once the mixture becomes shiny, remove the pan from the heat and gradually blend in the coconut oil with a handheld mixer until well combined.

10. 10

    Allow to cool on the counter for 15 minutes. The mixture will not look like frosting yet—don’t worry; this is okay.

11. 11

    Chill the frosting in the refrigerator for 1 to 1-1/2 hours, until the frosting fully solidifies and looks opaque white in color. Remove from the refrigerator and whip with a handheld mixer until thick and fluffy. The frosting will be sticky looking and lumps will dissolve during whipping.

12. 12

    Use immediately or store in a glass Mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Allow the frosting to soften a bit after removing from the refrigerator. Stir with a flexible spatula until spreadable.