The best low carb vanilla cupcakes made with coconut flour. This keto grain-free dessert is sure to please.
My kids are incredibly fortunate little people, and this is never more apparent that in the fall and early winter, when the holidays are approaching and all three of my kids have birthdays. Simply put, there is an absolute glut of presents that come their way from our large and loving extended family. And the kids love it, of course. But as parents, it hits you a little…they get so much stuff when other kids have little to none. It leaves you feeling a little worried that your kids won’t learn gratitude and kindness, that they will become all too used to this influx of toys, clothes and other presents.
Last year, we decided to use their birthdays as an opportunity to teach them kindness and charity. We were hosting a combined birthday party for all three, but the idea of them getting even MORE stuff from their friends was a little distasteful to us. So we asked our extensive guest list not to bring presents for our kids, but instead bring a new and unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. And I think many other parents were so delighted by the idea, they brought more than one item for the donation. We ended up with what amounted to a whole minivan’s worth of toys to donate (I know this, because I had to pack them all into our car!).
I know it was a little tough on my kids, seeing all the presents that weren’t for them. They asked several times if they could keep one, just one. But it was such a great way to open the discussion about kindness to strangers. We talked about how lucky they were to have a warm house, plenty of food and a loving family who bought them presents. We talked about other families who weren’t so lucky and who might not see any presents at Christmastime. It was all a little over the 3 year old’s head, but the older two really got it and enjoyed dropping the presents off at our local police department for Toys for Tots. I could see the delight on their faces when we filled the entire donation box with our collection.
This year, we aren’t hosting a large birthday gathering. But we intend to continue the tradition anyway, and have each of our kids pick out a toy or two to donate. And as they get older and more emotionally mature, I can only hope that these little lessons sink in and pave the way for greater kindnesses. And I hope to teach them day-to-day kindnesses too, not just holiday ones, because every little bit helps.
Vanilla Bean Coconut Flour Cupcakes and Teaching Children About Kindness
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 vanilla bean
- 1 cup coconut flour
- 3/4 cup Swerve Sweetener or other erythritol
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 7 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp stevia extract
Frosting:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered Swerve Sweetener or other powdered erythritol
- 6 to 8 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 vanilla bean
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- For the cake, heat almond milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Split vanilla bean lengthwise and use a sharp knife to scrape out seeds. Add seeds and bean to almond milk and bring to a gentle simmer. Remove from heat and let steep 30 minutes. Remove vanilla bean.
- Preheat oven to 325F and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut flour, sweetener, baking powder and salt. Break up any clumps with the back of a fork.
- Stir in eggs, melted butter and almond milk and stir vigorously. Stir in vanilla extract and stevia extract and continue to stir until mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Divide batter between prepared muffin cups and bake 20 to 30 minutes or until tops are set and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool.
- For the frosting, beat butter until creamy. Add sweetener, 1/2 cup at a time, until well combined. Add 6 tbsp cream and beat until well combined. If frosting seems stiff, continue to add cream, 1 tbsp at a time, until desired consistency is achieved.
- Split vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out seeds. Add seeds and vanilla extract to frosting and beat until combined.
- Pipe or spread onto cooled cupcakes.
Notes
Nutrition
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Can I use vanilla extract if I can’t get vanilla bean?
Thanks!
Do you have an alternate brand for granulated erythritol that you can recommend now that Swerve has changed their formula (don’t really want one with tapioca flour)? I have the same question for powdered erythritol. I am sooooo confused when I try to figure out brands to buy of sugar substitutes. I want to choose wrong sugar sub and change the taste or make them less yellow/light colored.
I am still about to try and I’m anxious! So my question is can I just use regular whole milk and all purpose flour instead?
I don’t bake with all purpose flour and it doesn’t work at all like coconut flour. So no… this recipe won’t work.
is it possible to make these into lemon cupcakes? I really want to do your lemon strawberry cupcakes but I don’t like Almond flour so I was hoping to turn this Coconut flour recipe into the lemon cupcakes and top with your strawberry frosting.
Yes, you absolutely could. FYI, I do intend to update this recipe soon. 🙂 I’d do lemon extract, some lemon juice, and plenty of lemon zest.
Hi Carolyn, would subbing some of the flour with shredded coconut be a bad thing? My dad used to request that my mom make coconut cupcakes with peanut butter frosting. They were delish. I’d like to replicate them and would appreciate any guidance.
As usual, you are a genius! This is now the official birthday cake of our family 🙂 I double it to make a 4 layer cake. My pans are 9 in round, and I bake them for 25 min. I quadruple your chocolate icing recipe from the caramel cupcakes, and it is perfect! I have served this to non low carb family members, and it is a hit! Thank you for all of your dedication to this community, tit is so wonderful to be able to continue with our family traditions without sacrificing our health!
Would I need to grease the pans if wanting to make this as a cake?
Thanks
Yes, you should always grease your pans and line with parchment.
Thanks for posting this recipe. I am trying to use coconut flour, and this recipe is very good. The cupcakes are moist and delicious. You are expanding my coconut flour know how.
So glad you like it!
do these taste like eggs
No, they taste like cupcakes.
I kid you all NOT!!! These are the BEST cupcakes ever! The key to its flavor is the vanilla bean! OMG! My kids and I are tearing them up!!!!! You are AMAZING Carolyn! Thank you for sharing your talent!
Wow! Thanks for that glowing review. 🙂