Chocolate Chip Vanilla Cupcakes (gluten-free)

Okay, so I generally like to bake everything from scratch. However, when I volunteer to bring a healthy cupcake alternative to our elementary school party, I turn to boxed yellow cake mix. I know, I know, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Believe it or not, there are some good boxed mixes that aren't loaded with artificial garbage and preservatives and the baked food tastes incredible. After tasting my cupcakes, one mom said to me, "These taste so different from the regular cupcakes. They didn't taste artificial."  I agree with her! Once you eliminate artificial ingredients from your diet, your taste buds will adjust and thank you!

Now for the fun part, I'm including a picture of the cake mix I like to use.  I've baked both the King Arthur Flour Yellow Cake Mix and Chocolate Cake Mix.  They make phenomenal cupcakes.  In this post, I will outline what you'll need to bake gluten-free chocolate chip vanilla cupcakes.  I've also included two frosting recipes, Chocolate and Cream Cheese, for you below.

Happy Baking!

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup (1 stick) Grass-fed Salted Butter

2 tbsp Virgin Coconut Oil, unrefined (use in place of vegetable oil)

4 eggs, Organic & Vegetarian-fed

2/3 cup milk (I prefer soy but you can use dairy, flax, or almond)

1 box King Arthur Flour Gluten-Free Yellow Cake Mix

1 cup Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Chips

18-20 Large Baking Cups (preferably FSC Certified Unbleached Totally Chlorine-free)





PREPARATION

Follow the instructions on the back of the box.  Once the batter is prepared and ready to pour, add the chocolate chips and stir with a spoon.  Fill your baking cups and pop into the oven.



***** I C I N G *****


CHOCOLATE FROSTING

1 cup Powdered Sugar

1/6 cup Dutch (alkalized) Cocoa Powder

1/2 tsp Organic Vanilla Extract

Small Pinch Sea Salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) Grass-fed Salted Butter

1-2 tbsp Water (depending on desired consistency)

• In a medium mixing bowl, cream the butter with an electric mixer.
• Add the cocoa, vanilla, salt and water and continue to beat until smooth.



CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

8 oz Organic Cream Cheese

4 tbsp Grass-fed Salted Butter, melted

2 tsp Organic Vanilla Extract

4 cups Powdered Sugar

• In a medium mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to blend the cream cheese, butter and vanilla.
• Slowly add in the powdered sugar.
• Mix until creamy.