Sinless & Sweet Red Velvet Coconut Cupcakes with Cashew Icing

Sinless & Sweet Red Velvet Coconut Cupcakes 

--with Cashew Icing

Beets may not be to everyone’s liking.. but for me they are a perfect filler for red velvet cupcakes. Slightly sweet, rich, and full of vitamins and minerals they make these red velvet cupcakes delicious to the taste and wholesome for your body. Unless you made it, you will never know that it’s not the sugary store bought stuff and you will be happy  knowing you gave your guests a healthy nutritious, delicious dessert to enjoy that are gluten free, sugar free, low calorie and low carbs. See below for all the amazing reason why beets are so good for you!! :)

Sinless Sweet Red Velvet Coconut Cupcakes with Cashew Icing

3 medium sized cooked beets (makes about 2 cups)

1 cup egg whites

2 whole eggs

½ cup stevia powder

1 tblsp. Of coconut oil

1/3 cup fat free Greek yogurt

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp. maple syrup extract

2 1/2 scoops Level 1 Vanilla Ice-cream sandwich protein powder

¼ cup coconut flour

½ cup shredded coconut

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp sea salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Place the beets in the food processor and blend until pureed  In a large mixing bowl combine the eggs and egg whites, Greek yogurt, coconut oil, vanilla and maple syrups extract and beat with a mixer. Continue mixing with a whisk as you add in the stevia, protein powder, beets, baking powder, sea salt, shredded coconut flakes and lastly the coconut flour. Beat until all the ingredients are mixed thoroughly and have a cake batter consistency.

Spray your cupcake tins with PAM or line them with cupcake holders. Bake at 350 for 20 to 30 minutes until done. You do not want to over cook them, they taste so much better moist J Set aside to cool.

Cashew Icing

Ingredients:

1 cup fat free Greek yogurt

1 heaping tblsp. Of raw or roasted cashew butter

1 tsp of honey

¼ cup stevia

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp coconut extract

1 tbslp. Xanthan Gum

Directions

In the food processor combine all the ingredients and pulse until all ingredients are mixed and you have a thick creamy smooth consistency. You can use the icing right away or if you want it thicker, store in the fridge for a couple of hours. Spread on top of cupcakes and sprinkle a little shredded coconut on top. DEEELICIOUS!! J Your guests will never know that it’s not the store bought stuff…

Here are some interesting facts about beets :D

http://www.fullcircle.com/goodfoodlife/2012/05/10/6-health-benefits-of-eating-beets/#s.agrzgr4zaaiaa

1. Beets are nature’s Viagra

Seriously. One of the first known uses of beets was by the ancient Romans, who used them medicinally as an aphrodisiac. And that’s not just urban legend – science backs it up. Beets contain high amounts of boron, which is directly related to the production of human sex hormones.

2. Beets are high in many vitamins and minerals

Potassium, magnesium, fiber, phosphorus, iron; vitamins A, B & C; beta-carotene, beta-cyanine; folic acid. These are but a few of the many nutrients, vitamins and minerals that can be found in beets and beet greens. Beets are particularly beneficial to women whom are pregnant, as the vitamin B and iron are very beneficial to new growth cells during pregnancy and replenishing iron in the woman’s body.

3. Beets cleanse the body

They are a wonderful tonic for the liver, works as a purifier for the blood, and can prevent various forms of cancer. Nuff said, right? Tastes good and prevents cancer? Sign me up!

4. Beets help your mental health

Beets contain betaine, the same substance that is used in certain treatments of depression. It also contains trytophan, which relaxes the mind and creates a sense of well-being, similar to chocolate. Beets can also lower your blood pressure. So if you’re already steamed about not eating beets, you can get a two-fer by diving into them right away.

5. Beets are used as a stomach acid tester

How in the world does that work? Glad you asked. If you are eating a lot of beets or beet juice, and your pee turns pink, guess what? You have low stomach acid. Pee still clear? Ratchet it up and get juicing (use the greens too)! Nutritionists use beets and beet juice to test stomach acid levels, so stay ahead of the curve by adding beets to your diet now.

6. Beets are a high source of energy

At the same time they are low in calories and high in sugar (although the sugar is released into your system gradually, as opposed to chocolate). Very few foods found in the natural world are as beneficial as beets in this regard.

Beets are a wonderful addition to any dietary need. With their high volume of nutrients, delicious taste, and multitude of uses, anyone can jump right into beets without missing a beat.