rawesome adventures of a grecian goddess: grain free chocolate cupcakes

let me just tell you how cool my husband and i are. every year on valentines day, we get super excited for the food that we'll be celebrating with.

no romantically plotted dates.

no forced cheesiness.

no flowers.

no store bought chocolates.

just food.

the first year we were together on valentines day, we planned to celebrate by making a gluten free pizza together. since i was such a great girl friend, i let him have total jurisdiction over the topping choices. i should have been expecting it when he chose something so weird....eggplant. so to honor his request, i prepared roasted eggplant chunks. and then i made the dough. and i let the dough rise. and then i rolled the dough and baked it. and then i topped it with sauce, cheese and the eggplant. ....while he watched tv.... yes, this is our idea of romance. anyways, the pizza turned out incredible! we enjoyed it while watching a movie and cuddling. and thus the monster was created; a husband who expects eggplant pizza every year on valentines day.

we've continued with this tradition, but more recently ive made us gluten free pizza or calzones once a month or so. apparently this repetition has worked beautifully to my advantage to calm down his valentines pizza cravings, cuz you better believe im all about chocolate! i usually make one thing for valentines dessert, but perhaps being nine months pregnant has influenced me towards the decision to make multiple treats for us to enjoy this year;) among them will be my favorite cupcakes.

this chocolate cupcake recipe has been under my belt for a few years now. i love to feed it to non gluten free people and watch as it rocks their world. this cupcake is so smooth, moist and chocolatey, that you would never guess its base is black beans, let alone gluten free! its light and fluffy, leaving you feeling heavenly with each bite lingering on your taste buds:) oh i can't wait for valentines day!

GRAIN FREE CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

1 15 oz can organic black beans, drained and rinsed well

5 organic eggs, plus 1 yolk

2/3 c honey

6 tbs butter

6 tbs cocoa powder

1 tbs pure vanilla extract

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

*preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin tins with cupcake papers. i read a trick recently to make cupcakes the shape of hearts: place a marble in between each paper and the side of the pan. as you pour the batter in, this should create a heart shape. haven't tried it, so don't be mad at me if it doesn't work out!

*place all ingredients in food processor and mix until smooth.

*pour 3/4 of the way up each muffin tin. bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

*these are so great on their own, a crazy frosting just might ruin them. if you want to top them keeping it simple would work out wonderful with something like real whipped cream, or a chocolate drizzle made of coconut oil, cocoa powder and honey.

*enjoy them with your valentine:)