Carrot, Macadamia & Coconut Cupcakes

I wanted something a little different this week, as I pondered my cupcake options.

Maybe it's not true, but sometimes it feels like everything is only ever, a variation of chocolate or vanilla cake.

So, I went again, to "Vegan with a Vengeance", and pulled out Isas' Carrot, Macadamia, Ginger & Coconut Cake recipe.

I was excited to use the preserved ginger gummy bears (yes gummy bears!!) I was given, but was very sad to discover, they contained gelatine :(

So, out went the ginger, the sugar (hello apple juice concentrate), and some of the canola oil (hello applesauce)..

I still had a small amount of delicious Hawaiian macadamia nuts left, and happily used them..

For the frosting, I made the usual buttercream frosting, adding some vanilla & coconut essence.

The cupcakes once frosted, were topped with some dessicated coconut.

These were DELICIOUS..

I seem to say that a lot. But really, they were.

Ever since I nixed the sugar, my husbands sweet glee has lessened..

He grew up, in the good ol' sweet tooth American way, and he likes his sugar.

Now he eats 1 or 2 cupcakes, before it was as many as I baked.

That aside, he said he liked these.

My Mum gave them 4 stars, and my therapist said they were "dee-lish-ous" (yes I eat cupcakes with my therapist)..

So, I think these will become one of my staples.

I think I'll stick to making them, sans ginger though.

YUM YUM YUM