With Halloween right here and Thanksgiving not too far after, it is most definitely that pumpkin time if year now.  I love pumpkin everything,  especially pumpkin donuts and cupcakes.  However, more often than not, the pumpkin we are purchasing and consuming is not made up of real pumpkin.  So this past weekend my friend and I decided to bake our own pumpkin cupcakes and whip up some chai frosting~ a healthy version, of course! Healthy treats right in time for Halloween!

Pumpkin is good for the body in more ways than one.  Pumpkin benefits our eye sight because of the carotenoids, which gives pumpkins their very orange appearance.  The carotenoid can also keep the skin wrinkle free, which is always a plus! It helps in weight loss due to the fiber found in them.  In one cup, there is 3 grams of fiber, which will help us feeling full longer.  And with 564 milligrams of potassium, it is a perfect after work out snack to help restore electrolytes.   So with all these benefits pumpkin’s contain, when eating it I want to know I am eating the real thing to help my body, and skin, shine!

Pumpkin- Chai Cupcakes (Gluten and Dairy Free)

Cupcakes-

1 3/4 Cup Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour

1.5 Teaspoons Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Baking Powder

1.5 Teaspoons Cinnamon

1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg

1/4 Teaspoon Cloves

1/2 Cup (or a little less) Organic Coconut Palm Sugar

4 Egg Whites

1 Cup Organic Pumpkin Puree

1/3 Cup Almond Milk

1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

Their are two choices for what to add next-

1

1/4 Cup Organic Coconut Oil

1/4 Cup Organic Apple Sauce ( Be sure to always read ingredients with Apple Sauce-

You can be surprised with what you read!)

OR 2

1/2 Cup Apple Sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease muffin tin with coconut oil or line them.

In a large bowl mix the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

In a medium bowl, beat together sugar and egg whites.  Add pumpkin puree, apple sauce and coconut oil (or just apple sauce depending on recipe)

Pour the wet mixture into the flour mixture and stir together.

Pour into muffin tin- 3/4 full and bake for 15 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out dry.

     

                Applesauce             Coconut oil and Applesauce

Let cool and add  Chai Frosting

Chai Frosting-

1/8 Cup Almond Milk

.5 Cup Organic Earth Balance Butter Spread

2 Teaspoons Chai Powder- your choice

1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

1.5 Cup Organic Coconut Palm Sugar

1 Cup Bob’s Red Mill Arrowroot Powder

Blend together coconut palm sugar and arrowroot (or use grinder) until powdery like confectioners sugar.

Mix Butter with the sugar mix slowly.  Add spices.  Last- Slowly add milk.  Keep mixing until fluffy and smooth.

Add to cupcakes and Enjoy!

When we make our own foods, we know exactly what we are putting into our bodies!  Enjoy and have a safe, HEALTHY, and Happy Halloween!!!