Free of: dairy, nuts and gluten, plus the other top allergens. For those not following a gluten-free diet, a flour alternative is included.

Makes 16 cupcakes

Ingredients

Carrot Cupcakes

• 1 cup (250 mL) brown rice flour (superfine if possible)
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) tapioca starch
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) potato starch
• 1/4 tsp (1.25 mL) xanthan gum
• 1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder
• 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp (7.5 mL) ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp (1.25 mL) ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) salt
• 3/4 cup (175 mL) packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup (80 mL) white sugar
• 1/2 cup (120 mL) crushed pineapple with juice
• 1/2 cup (120 mL) grapeseed, coconut or canola oil
• 2 eggs [See "Recipe Notes” for egg substitute]
• 1 1/4 tsp (6.25 mL) vanilla extract
• 2 cups shredded carrots

Pineapple “Cream Cheese” Frosting

• 4 oz (113 g) dairy-free cream cheese alternative
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) palm shortening, coconut oil [see “Recipe Notes”] or dairy-free margarine
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) drained, crushed pineapple or 1 1/2 tsp (7.5 mL) pineapple juice
• 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) lemon juice
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups (250 mL+) sifted confectioners’ sugar

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line 16 muffin tins with cupcake liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together: brown rice flour, tapioca starch, potato starch, xanthan gum, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt.
3. Using a hand blender, in a separate mixing bowl mix: brown sugar, white sugar, pineapple, oil and eggs. Or whisk for 1 minute.
4. Add dry ingredients to the mixing bowl, then stir with a wooden spoon just until the ingredients are combined. Stir in the shredded carrots.
5. Pour batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups; they should be 2/3 to 3/4 full.
6. Bake the cupcakes 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Remove them to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. To make the frosting, with a hand mixer, beat the shortening, oil, or margarine with the cream cheese alternative until soft and well-combined. Beat in the drained pineapple (or pineapple juice) and lemon juice, and slowly blend in 1 cup of the powdered sugar. If a sweeter icing is desired, beat in up to ½ cup of additional confectioners’ sugar. Chill the frosting in the refrigerator as the cupcakes cool.
8. Once thickened, give the frosting a quick whip. The consistency will be slightly softer than a buttercream. Frost cupcakes and serve.

Next: Recipe Notes

Ingredients

Filling

• 10 fresh figs, quartered
• 1 cup (250 mL) fresh raspberries
• 4 tbsp (60 mL) brown sugar
• 1 large egg yolk [optional]

Pastry

• 1 1⁄3 cups (320 mL) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) salt
• 1⁄3 cup (80 mL) vegetable shortening, chilled and diced
• 1⁄3 cup (80 mL) butter, chilled and diced [for dairy-free, omit butter and use ⅔ cup (160 mL) shortening.]
• 3 tbsp (45 mL) ice water

Method

1. In a food processor, pulse together flour, salt, shortening and butter (if using). Add water 1 tbsp at a time until dough forms. Turn dough out onto counter, gently form into a disk. Refrigerate 1 hour.
2. Pre-heat oven to 425°F. Remove dough from fridge and place between 2 sheets of wax paper. Roll out to a 12-inch circle and place into a 10-inch round baking dish, gently pushing into sides and bottom. Do not trim excess dough.
3. To make the filling, toss figs and raspberries with sugar. Spoon mixture into pastry, leaving a 2-inch border around the outside edge. Fold pastry edges over fruit. Brush with egg yolk (if using). Sprinkle with white sugar.
4. Bake 25-30 minutes, until pastry is golden brown.
5. Transfer to cooling rack. Serve gallette warm with ice cream or dairy-free whipped topping.

Recipe by Simon Clarke

Food photography by Chris Gonzaga

First published in Allergic Living magazine.
To order an issue or to subscribe, click here.

© Copyright AGW Publishing Inc.