Orange Blossom Cupcake with Cashew Cream

It appears as if my sweet tooth is calling the shots these days; however, if I could think of a reason to indulge in a celebratory cupcake it would be this....we found a new home! Nestled in the quaint little village of Homewood we found a house that is lovely and cozy with cottage charm to boot! There are several sunny nooks to curl up in with a book or knitting needles, a dreamy kitchen and an unloved backyard that we cant wait to get our hands on! Now all we need are some babies to fill it up :) AND a kitty! Please please please help me persuade my husband to open our home to a new feline companion! 

So with a measly five weeks left in Seattle we feel a sizable weight has been lifted off our shoulders. We now want to devote our fleeting time here to family and friends and ensure that we soak up every last minute with the ones we love!

 Now on to the cupcake, or "pupcake" as I called them when I was little. Grain, gluten, dairy, processed sugar free these muffin-like cupcakes are chock full of protein and flavor. The orange blossom water adds a unique twist while the cashew cream keeps things mellow and slightly sweet. Of course you could forgo the cashew cream (heaven forbid!) and enjoy these cupcakes bare or with a dollop of coconut butter. Enjoy!

Thank you again and again to our loved ones who have been praying for our new home! The Lord answered our prayers in a mighty way and we are truly thankful!

Orange Blossom Cupcakes with Raw Cashew Cream

For the cupcakes:

• 3 cups almond flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup warmed coconut oil (DO NOT warm in microwave, I usually boil some water, turn off heat and set a glass bowl with the oil in it and allow to melt)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 TBS orange blossom water (you can usually find this in the baking aisle next to the rose water, sometimes I have seen it on the drink mixer aisle)
• 2 eggs
• zest from 1 orange

Preheat oven to 325F. Combine dry ingredients. Combine wet ingredients in a separate bowl. Mix dry and wet until well incorporated. Line a muffin tin with 10 cupcake liners and pour batter in each cup. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

For the cashew cream:

• 2 cups raw cashews, soaked for 3 hours, drained and rinsed
• juice from 3 lemons
• 4 dates, pits removed
• 1 TBS coconut oil (this does not need to be warmed just scoop it right out of the jar)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• orange juice

Place all ingredients in a high speed blender (a rinky dink blender will not do the trick!) and blend until you have a very smooth consistancy. Add more OJ if you need to thin it out.

Spread cream on top of each cupcake and enjoy!

Comments

[Maria @ Scandi Foodie]

They look gorgeous, I love citrusy cakes and desserts and that cashew cream would be so perfect for these,
I can imagine!

[Becky]

Oh. my. Must make immediately!

[Angela]

Those look delightful. Congratulations on the house. God always gives us what we need and sometimes what we want, too. I'm so glad to hear you are getting doing well.

[Jacqui]

That's so great, I'm glad you found the perfect place! And so quickly too. These cupcakes look so good. I've been experimenting with cashew cream lately, love your addition of orange to it!

[Abigail @ Good to Think and Eat]

I'm really impressed with how these cupcakes seem both super fresh and seasonal. In these dark winter months when there is so little plant life, I can't wait to create fragrant cupcakes that utilize somewhat seasonal (if not local) produce. Thanks!

[Jessica]

These look awesome! Love the combo of the flavors!

[Katey @ Bonne Santé]

You find a house, we get cupcakes! I like this arrangement!
Orange & almond were made for each other :)

[Rebecca]

Seriously - will you come to Paris and cook for me? :)
Looks amazing! I haven't yet cooked with coconut oil but I may have to brave the ingredient since this looks soooo good. For the almond flour, can I just put almonds into a food processor ?
Merci beaucoup for this and all of your lovely, healthy recipes and gorgeous, inspiring words and photos.
All the best from Paris, Rebecca

[Cannelle Et vanille]

i love this Coco!

[Melissa]

Congrats on finding the perfect house! How exciting. You need a kitty for sure!! I love my lil Aeisha.

[Golubka]

Coco, congratulations on the move and finding a house! So exciting. Beautiful food and photography, as always :)

[*holly.]

wonderful...the cupcakes and the news on the home!

[Natasha]

Congrats on your new home Coco, it sounds wonderful! As for a kitty cat addition to your family, I can't imagine not coming home to my little Shiraz every day, so I hope you can pursuade your husband! I'm trying to pursuade my husband that we should get a 2nd kitty cat lol
Have a great weekend,
Natasha xo

[Meagan]

Wow, I bet these are pretty yummy! What a great recipe!

[cindy]

congrats on the new nest! a huge relief, i am sure! i purchased my first jar of coconut oil this last week and I wonder where it has been all my life...
the cupcakes are lovely, i just love that light!

[fresh365]

So exciting about the new house! Enjoy your time left in Seattle- the next month will be busy for you! And thank you for a healthy cupcake recipe. I am on such a sugar kick and these will help curve the craving!

[sweet road]

These sound great, and your photos are beautiful! I just came across your blog, and I'll definitely be back for more!

[Sarah]

Oh my, those look SO good. I've been wanting to make some raw cashew cream lately. Congratulations on your new home!! I'm very excited for you and hope there are many babies and kitties in your future :)

[Coco]

Thank you ladies for all of your sweet notes!

Rebecca, you can process your own almonds but you need to make sure your grind them reaaaally fine :)

[Julie the Alkaline Sister]

This looks and sounds like I should Run-run fast- to the kitchen! Yum!

[sarah]

Those look incredible.
And congrats! Reading nooks and a dreamy kitchen sound heavenly.

[Jennifer (Delicieux)]

Coco, your orange blossom cupcakes look so delicious. I love the cashew cream too.

Glad to hear you've settled into your new place. I hope your husband agrees to getting a kitten. They are SO cute.

[Cami Jurado]

I just made Lemon Poppy Seed ones at www.comocomecami.com, but these one look amazing! I´m making them this weekend! Thank you!

[coconut and quinoa]

I have just receintly and happily discovered your blog. The last 2 posts look both delicious and beautiful.
I love the way you have combined raw food ideas with good wholesome baking.
Also love the photos and design!
Very inspiring, thank you!

[gruyere]

I guess that people keep on asking you about it all the time, but how much is it "1 cup" in Your recipes? About 250 ml?
Love your blog.

[Coco]

Gruyere,

1 US cup is about 235.5ml :)

[gruyere]

Thanks :)

[elizabeth / sophisticated pie]

i've had such a hard time with gluten free cupcakes. I tried out Babycakes recipes, all which completely failed (I think I don't like the taste of xanthan gum... I think, that is). I'm going to have to try these! Thanks for the recipe!!

[Sini]

So happy to hear the good news! It's really a big thing. Lucky you.
And this cupcakes look like something special - and delicious too!

Enjoy your last weeks at the west coast!

[Sid]

I made these last night (no icing, vanilla instead of orange) and they were amazing!

Because I'm curious, I need to ask: why not microwave the coconut oil?

Thanks for such a great recipe - this is my new go-to for grain-free muffins and cupcakes.

[Coco]

Sid, Im sooo glad you loved these! As for the microwave, I personally feel microwaves are not good for us or our food due to its release of electromagnetic radiation so I try not to use one :)

[Cristina | Positively Beauty]

I must make these! The cashew cream intrigues me...now I need to find some coconut oil. Your blog is lovely!
P.S. I have two cats, and my husband loves them. Tell your husband that cats are indipendent, lovely creatures that give you love without being needy, plus they're very clean - maybe this will convince him?

[Kamille]

i'm loving the idea of these and they'll stay an idea for a week more and then transfer to a tangible reality...in my mouth:)

[sarah, simply cooked]

This caught my eye on Health Freak Food. I wanted to let you know that they must set your page in a frame, since their URL, not yours, is not the one that is showing. I’m going to mention this to them and express my displeasure. I think it’s a great site (I’ve just discovered it) but they should direct traffic to you fully. (Perhaps you might want to email them?)

[Nisha]

This sounds absolutely incredible...cashew cream...heaven!! Can't wait to try it.

[Ellie@fitforthesoul]

this is such a great and delicious idea. It's so healthy too

[Courtney]

Coco - I've been eating gluten, refined sugar, processed free for 4 months now and was so excited to stumble upon your blog recently!
I just made these cupcakes for a lingerie shower I'm throwing tomorrow, but was inspired by your offhand mention of rosewater, so I
made Orange + Rosewater Cupcakes instead! They turned out delicious. Most of the women who will be at the shower don't enjoy something
when they know it's good for them, so I'm contemplating telling them after they eat them ;)
Thanks for sharing!

[Jenny]

I am keen to try these, but my son is allergic to all nuts except almonds, pecans and walnuts. Could I use these any of these nuts instead of the cashews for the cream?

Many thanks

[Atlanta]

I'm curious... how would you suggest altering this recipe to be egg free? I'm very VERY sensitive to eggs + have been using flaxmeal as a substitute in most, but I've yet to try it with the almond flour. Any suggestions? Thanks + congratulations on an amazingly beautiful site!

[julie]

Looks delicious n yummy!!

[Anu]

looks delicious