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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.
It’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.
Whether 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 🙂
PrintVanilla Cupcakes with Coconut Cream Frosting
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Diet: Gluten Free
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 tbsp honey
- optional: 1/4 cup toasted coconut flakes for garnish
Instructions
For the cupcakes:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a cupcake tin with liners or grease with non-stick spray or coconut oil.
- In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt.
- In a separate bowl (or mixer) combine applesauce, coconut oil, almond milk, egg, honey and vanilla.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet until combined.
- Divide batter evenly in cupcake tin and bake for 22-25 mins or until tops have browned slightly and bounce back when pressed.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 20 mins before removing and allowed to cool completely on a wire rack.
For the frosting:
- 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.
- Add in honey and whisk for 1 more minute.
- 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.
- Keep in a cool place or keep in fridge to last longer (will dry out slightly in the fridge).
*OR use whole-wheat flour.
**I find Thai Kitchen brand works best.
Ohhhh my beautiful birthday girl….you’re wise beyond your ears and I kiss the ground you walk on. EAT ALL THE CUPCAKES.
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
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!
Girlfriend you don’t look a day over 25!! Seriously I need to start doing what you’re doing cause you like might fineeeee!! And thanks babes. Had the best day!!
Happiest of birthdays to YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have a had a great year, and 25 will be even better!
So far, so good 😉
Happy Birthday!!! Have an amazing day! =) Life absolutely is about the journey, I couldn’t agree more. I’m sure 25 is going to be an awesome year for you!
Thank you, love!!! Hope all is well with you and Sage! xox
Happiest of birthdays Davida! Hope your day is filled with all things that make you happy!
P.S. I am a little over 10 years older than you and I still don’t have the answers to all of life’s questions – but I do enjoy the journey looking for them! 🙂
So far, so good! I’m learning to love those moments in between trying to get the answer to everything!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I hope you have some fabulous plans today. Can’t wait to have a belated celebrating in person soon. 😉
That’s so true about life not being a bucket list – I stopped making goals a few years ago because I felt the same way. Life is way better when you just let yourself enjoy it!
agreed!!! I’m only just learning this now. Better late than never! Can’t wait to see you sooooon <3
Happy Birthday!!!!!!! 🙂
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 😳
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!!
Happy birthday gorgeous! Hope you have a fabulous day!