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Vanilla Cupcakes with Coconut Cream Frosting + Thoughts On My 25th Birthday

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Let me just preface this post by mentioning that I freaked out on my 10th birthday because it meant I would never celebrate a single-digits birthday again…so yeah, you can imagine how I’m feeling right about now now that I’ve reached 25.

In case you can’t imagine it, it sits somewhere between checking my forehead for wrinkles and a very real state of panic. Yet at the same time I’m feeling overwhelmingly proud for everything I’ve accomplished in my 25 years. No one mentioned that 25 brings a whole new level of confusion!

I’d always assumed that by 25 I would be a real adult. I’d have all of life’s questions answered and would be on a path to accomplishing all that I wanted for my future. Then again I always thought that that path involved med school and certainly not blogging so clearly I was way off.

And up until about 5 minutes ago I always thought that life was about checking off everything on your bucket list, but I have since discovered that I was very wrong about this too. This is evidenced by the multitude of goals and lists posted on this blog from which I have accomplished a whopping 5 of them. For the record I purposely added “drink more wine” to my 25-by-25 goal list because I knew I would accomplish that one. And no, I still haven’t seen a Harry Potter movie…

I’ve come to learn that life isn’t all about checking things off. It’s about enjoying the ride and those beautiful moments that happen when you’re not planning for the-next-best-thing.

It’s about defining your own success regardless of what other people might think.

It’s about trying everything and not stopping until you find what you love.

It’s about taking every opportunity and never comparing them to anyone else’s.

It’s not about a number and it certainly is not about having it all figured out.

And sometimes, it’s about making your own birthday cupcakes because you know no one will do it as well as you can.

About that…I’m really okay with making my own birthday treat. Partially because I’m picky and I know I am the only one who can give me exactly what I want and also because the best birthday treat is 2 blissful hours baking in the kitchen. Using the ultimate bday gift C got me for my birthday last year, of course.

Vanilla Cupcakes with Coconut Cream Frosting // thehealthymaven.com #glutenfree #veganIt’s crazy to think about how much can change in a year, or 10 years for that matter. I am thankfully nothing like the obnoxious, unibrow sporting teen I used to be but one thing has remained the same, my love of baking.

Vanilla Cupcakes with Coconut Cream Frosting // thehealthymaven.com #glutenfree #veganWhether it be Betty Crocker cake mix, oreo stuffed chocolate chip cookies or Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes with Coconut Cream Frosting, baking has and will forever be my happy place. And is the only thing I know with certainty will be a part of my next 25 years and then some.

I am declaring today National Eat ALL THE CAKE Day (cupcakes count). I hope you’ll join me in the festivities :)

Save Print
Vanilla Cupcakes with Coconut Cream Frosting

Prep time: 

Cook time: 

Total time: 

Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
  • 1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour (I used the flour blend from my Healthy Breakfast eCookbook*
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the frosting:
  • 1 can full-fat coconut milk (left in fridge for at least 1 hour-do NOT shake)**
  • 1 T honey
  • optional: 1/4 cup toasted coconut flakes for garnish
Instructions
For the cupcakes:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Line a cupcake tin with liners or grease with non-stick spray or coconut oil.
  3. In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt.
  4. In a separate bowl (or mixer) combine applesauce, coconut oil, almond milk, egg, honey and vanilla.
  5. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet until combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly in cupcake tin and bake for 22-25 mins or until tops have browned slightly and bounce back when pressed.
  7. Remove from oven and let cool for 20 mins before removing and allowed to cool completely on a wire rack.
For the frosting:
  1. While cupcakes are cooling open coconut milk and scoop out cream from top of can. Place in a mixer bowl and using a stand-mixer with the whisk attachment or hand-mixer, whisk for 5-10 mins or until cream has reached hard-peaks. Cream should be very stiff.
  2. Add in honey and whisk for 1 more minute.
  3. Place frosting in piping bag and pipe over cupcakes in a circular motion. OR frost cupcakes using a knife. Top with toasted coconut, if desired.
  4. Keep in a cool place or keep in fridge to last longer (will dry out slightly in the fridge).
Notes
OR use whole-wheat flour. *I find Thai Kitchen brand works best.

Vanilla Cupcakes with Coconut Cream Frosting // thehealthymaven.com #glutenfree #dairyfree

What lessons have you learned from getting older? Anyone else make their own birthday (cup)cakes?!

p.s. In the spirit of birthdays, I’ve got THREE giveaways running: two $100 Amazon Gift Cards, A free bottle of Nature’s Palate Honey Mustard Glaze and an awesome boozy giveaway alongside my fellow canuck Cravings of a Lunatic.

p.p.s. Today is the last day you can get my Healthy Breakfast eCookbook as part of an EPIC End-of-summer 2-for-1 deal with Fit Foodie Find’s 34 Single-Serve Desserts eBook. A savings of $15.99!

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Comments

  2. Happy birthday! I prefer not to bake for my birthday and go out for a special dessert treat instead. However, no one else can bake for me either. If that’s the option, then I am the baker because no one would get it right! Enjoy 25! I was way too much of an adult back then so I say just go with the flow and life just happens and falls right into place.
    meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles recently posted…What We Ate – Reading Terminal Market

    Reply

  3. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Love this post. And love the irony that today I have posted my bucket list 😉 more for the fun of writing it to be honest!
    My birthday was 5th July and it was only the other day that I realised that I never had a birthday cake (I was in the Andes in Arg.) so I’ve ‘officially’ declared 5th September my fake birthday aka cake day and, yes, I will be making my own cakes. My dad tried to make a cake once. It was a 2 layer one and about 2cm high. I’d say it was more of a pancake.
    Have a beautiful day!
    Pip {Cherries & Chisme} recently posted…My Bucket List – Dreaming Big

    Reply

  5. Happy Birthday Girl!! I hope you are eating cupcakes and mimosas for breakfast :)
    25 – that is me in December – feeling you on the mild freak out. Age is just a number though – boom!
    Love this – Life is about “enjoying the ride and those beautiful moments that happen when you’re not planning for the-next-best-thing.” Hell to the yes!
    Lauren recently posted…Creamy Coconut Smoothie Bowl

    Reply

  7. Happy Birthday, gorgeous! I hope you have the most amazing day filled with plenty of good food and tonnes of love xox. I swear, the older I get, the harder of a time I have remembering how old I actually am — I always have to stop and think about it for a second when someone asks. I like to think that that’s because I’m a whole lot younger than I feel, and not because it’s old age senility settling in ::lol: But happy birthday again <3
    Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. spiced greek yogurt applesauce bread .

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  9. Happy birthday Davida!! 25 is not old at all!! In fact, it’s the best age you could possibly be at. Mid-twenties rock!
    I usually make one birthday treat myself, and my mum makes another one or two. Nobody beas her cheesecake :-)
    I hope you’re having a fantastic day. All the best wishes from Germany!

    Reply

  12. Happy Birthday Davida! First off, according to my mother, we never become real adults- so I’d suggest giving up on that hope haha
    Also GASP at you STILL not having seen a HP movie, LOL at you being an obnoxious, uni-brow sporting teen and YAY at National Eat ALL the Cake day 😀
    p.s. I’m going to attempt to make these in your honour some time this week. It’ll be my first time making cupcakes from scratch so wish me luck
    p.p.s yes, I know, I fail at being a wannabe baker since I’ve never made cupcakes before 😳
    GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth recently posted…How to deal with Nutrition and Stress

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    • Wish I hadn’t eaten them all so I could have shared with ya!!! And we’ll call it even on the cupcakes because I haven’t and never intend to see a HP movie 😉 Thanks for the bday love!!

      Reply

  18. Happy Birthday pretty, amazing, wonderful, funny lady!!
    It’s always a little tricky when you guys have a heart attack because you turn 20-something. Cause, I am not 10, no ELEVEN years older than you my Darling and I still didn’t figure everything out. So yeah, ENJOY THE RIDE!! It only gets better, I promise.
    And send me the cupcakes BEFORE you send them to Arman, k?
    Have a fabulous day love!
    Lucie@FitSwissChick recently posted…What I eat

    Reply

  19. Happy Birthday lady! I can definitely empathize with freaking out over birthdays–and in a panicking what-am-I-doing-with-my-life way. You have certainly achieved a lot in the blogging world though, so that should be a comfort! I’m also going to assume you’re a good baker and cook because your food always makes me want to take a bite out of my screen…so that’s something too! 😉

    Hope you enjoy your day and really focus on what you HAVE accomplished. You can always set goals, etc tomorrow. Or next week since everyone really should enjoy a full “birthday week.” :) <3
    Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut recently posted…CrossFit Has Now Been Mentioned on This Blog

    Reply

  21. growing up was legit my worst fear when I was little. Heck, I still hate it. BUT, theres no fighting it, so I just try to take a deep breath and make the best of each day :)
    Kind of like eating an entire batch of cupcakes. I think that would make for a GREAT day [but probably a not so great next day].
    Happy Birthday!!
    Kat recently posted…[WIAW] From This To That

    Reply

  22. Growing up was legit my worst fear when I was little. Heck, I still hate it. BUT, theres no fighting it, so I just try to take a deep breath and make the best of each day :)
    Kind of like eating an entire batch of cupcakes. I think that would make for a GREAT day [but probably a not so great next day].
    Happy Birthday!! :)
    [ I had a little trouble posting a comment – sorry if you got a few of the same from me! ]
    Kat recently posted…[WIAW] From This To That

    Reply

  24. These are incredibly beautiful cupcakes, Davida! Happy birthday!!

    I am still waiting for Davida’s Treats to open up with that beautiful stand mixer in the window… but maybe that’s something that doesn’t need to be ‘checked off’ any longer because it’s so obvious how content you are sharing food with the internet and makin’ moves in life. Congrats to living in the moment and drinking more wine.
    Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon recently posted…Cheesy Stuffed Peppers with Zucchini and Corn

    Reply

  25. Happy Birthday my love!! I can’t wait until I’m not working at a stupid office and next year we can skype at 2 pm to drink champagne for your birthday!! I have a bottle of Malbec ready to go for tonight, though, in your honor!

    The only thing I’ve learned about getting older is that it doesn’t mean a thing. I think. I hope.
    Cassie recently posted…Coconut Oil, Honey and Sea Salt Popcorn

    Reply

  26. you better walk down to the store, buy a f**king harry potter movie, and pop in your player RIGHT NOW. absurd.

    jk doll, you know i love you with or without a love of hp (but really only as long as you make food).
    have a fantastical, beautiful, wonderful day. xo

    oh ya and i hope one day you hit triple digits because the earth deserves that and i want to see you freak out.
    Ang @ Nutty for Life recently posted…Recent Eats [8.26.14]

    Reply

    • I’ve managed to make it 25 years without HP soooooo. I intend to make it to triple digits without seeing one. KIDDING. The world is not prepared for the freak-out that would ensue over 1-0-0. AHHHHH. Need to go make poor choices that will be detrimental to my health!

      Reply

  27. First off, you are CRAZY for not seeing the HP movie! If you read the books, though, I’ll give you a pass since they trump the movies by a long shot ;).

    These are absolutely gorgeous cupcakes and your photography is awesome as well! Happy 25th!
    Christine@ Apple of My Eye recently posted…Hawaii Recap #3

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  29. Happy HAPPY birthday, sweetness!! I wish I was in Toronto right now so I could drink all your vodka with you. :( I love what you said about enjoying those moments in between planning ‘the next big thing’. This is something I need to remind myself of. I get SO excited about adventures, new ideas, meeting new people, etc that it kinda robs me of the present moment.

    Reply

    • I feel ya!!! Kind of like how I’m more excited for the day we take shots and run ourselves ragged around T.O. instead of enjoying the popovers I just baked… Thank you for the bday wishes though! Was a fabulous day xx

      Reply

  30. Ummm, YES: “I’ve come to learn that life isn’t all about checking things off. It’s about enjoying the ride and those beautiful moments that happen when you’re not planning for the-next-best-thing.” You are one brilliant soul, Miss 25 Year Old! I couldn’t agree more that life isn’t about checking things off a bucket list or trying to reach the next best thing– it’s about being happy with what you have in the MOMENT, and once you can accomplish that then you’ve accomplished everything. Thanks for inspiring me with this post. I loved it. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!! Xoxoxox
    Jordan @ The Balanced Blonde recently posted…My Thoughts on Alcohol: For Real, For Real

    Reply

  33. Huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! You are wise beyond your 25 years with the things you’ve learned – life is about enjoying every second not crossing things off of a list (or not and then being stressed!!!). Enjoy every second of your day as you face a whole new year and quarter of a century to fill with fun wonderful experiences!!!
    Kim recently posted…One Year Ago We Became Business Owners

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  34. You should be so darn proud of yourself Davida! You have accomplished so much and encouraged so many of us bloggers. It truly is about the moments that take our breath away, not the number of breaths (or years we’ve lived) that matter most. Happy belated birthday my friend, you rock!
    And these photos look like something off of a magazine cover. These are some drop dead gorgeous cupcakes! Shouldn’t shock me coming from you :)
    Mary Frances recently posted…{The Best Healthy} Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn Puppy Chow

    Reply

  42. Happy birthday lady! It looks like you had a fun day if social media is any judge! :)

    Just wait until you turn 30…oh man the stuff I thought I would have done already!

    Your life lessons are great and you’ve figured out a lot of things that take people way way longer to figure out!
    Britt@MyOwnBalance recently posted…Blogfest 2014: What I Learned

    Reply

  45. I am SO happy and relieved to know that “It’s not about having it all figured out.” There are some people here at college who know EXACTLY what they want to do in life, and I’m just like…uh…where’s the peanut butter in this dining hall? I don’t know where the heck life will take me, but I hope I can follow my passions just as you are, Davs.
    Happy belated 25th and happy cupcakes!!!!
    Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves recently posted…WIAW: iPhone Photography

    Reply

    • girlfriendddddd lemme tell you that those people are gonna have a mental breakdown sometime post-college. I can tell you because I was one of them!!! Keep being you lady and everything will fall into place! xo

      Reply

  47. And here I thought the one thing that hasn’t changed about you was the unibrow! Just Kidding, Happy Belated Birthday my dear. I hope you had a fabulous day filled with all the cupcakes you could fit in your pie hole.

    Also, at 36 years old, I can tell you I still don’t feel like an adult, and I’m still trying to figure it out.

    P.S. Stop knocking my beloved lists. Geesh, what did they do to you, other than provide emotional support and comfort?! 😉

    Reply

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