GF Chocolate cup cakes

Now this batter will make about 24 to 26 full sized cupcakes, but they can be too much at this size. Its a very strong flavour and very dense. I used this batter to make mini cupcakes, I just halved the ingredients. It made 48 mini cupcakes. I would recommend a glaze icing with this. If you try it with a butter frosting let me know how you go : )

Compliments of the Crabapple Bakery

Choc Cupcakes

350g butter
450g dark cooking chocolate, chopped
2 1/2 cups castor sugar
1 1/2 cups almond meal
2 cups cocoa
10 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat over to 140'C.

Combine butter, chocolate and castor sugar in a saucepan over a low heat (or put a stainless steel bowl over boiling water). Mix continuously with a flat-bottoned wooden spoon until melted and smooth. Sift the almond meal and cocoa into a bowl. add the chocolate mixture and beat for 1 minute on low speed. The mixture should be thoroughly combined.

Add eggs two at a time, beathing after each additiontuntil the mixture is well combined (do not over-beat or too much air will be incorporated and the cupcakes will crack during baking. Add the vanilla extract and beat until combined.

Divide mixture evenly between cupcake cases. Bake for 30 minutes (even if you make mini muffins I would aim for around here) or until a fine skewer inserted comes out clean. Remove cupcakes from the trays and cool on a wire rack for 40 minutes before frosting.

GF Chocolate Chip Cookies

There is something so moorish about these cookies. I gave some to my neighbour one day and she just stood there eating them one by one, she just couldn't help herself. If you make them for yourself be warned!!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

3 tablespoons softened unsalted butter
135g soft brown sugar
1/3 cup caster sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups gluten free plain flour
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
170g good quality dark chocolate chips

Preheat the over to 180' C (360'F). Line two baking trays with baking paper.

Beat the butter and sugars in a large bowl until well combined. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Sift the flour and bicarbonate of soda over the butter mixture, then stir to combine well. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Place spoonfuls of mixture on the prepared baking trays and press gently to flatten slightly. Bake for 10 minutes, or until light golden. Cool for 5 minutes on the trays before transferring to a wire rack.

Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Makes 24 (108 cal each)

If you mix it well the brown sugar wont be too noticeable.

Thomas Corner, Noosaville

I couldn't have anything off their fancy menu and was getting rather frustrated when the kind waitress said she would see what she could do.

She spoke to the chef and said they could give me some braised chicken with mash and beans.... it was divine!!!!!! It was a little piece of heaven.... at $30 a meal I should hope so but these days things can be a bit hit and miss.

The staff were so lovely and accommodating and the food was just divine, we were all commenting on the quality. I would highly recommend this place if your visiting Noosa.... oh and the gelato place out the front is not that great. Its not linked with Thomas Corner.

The Little Larder, New Farm Brisbane

I recently popped into the Little Larder, New Farm, for some breakfast with my boy. After speaking with the waiter and informing him of my limited options he came back with eggs.... I didn't feel like eggs so I had a scrumptious chocolate and citrus cake instead... not the best idea for 10 in the morning!

They were so nice and tried so hard that I felt a little embarrassed, which was not helped by their clear annoyance at going to such lengths and finding nothing for me. They do have a gluten free bread but it has pistachios in it so no dice. The food is pretty good but onion appears everywhere so finding an option can be difficult.

If you want a great breakfast I would really recommend this place.... just take your own bread if you need carbs with your meals like me!

The cake dilema

I love cake. I love its squishy texture and the sweetness of the frosting. I dont make cakes too often.. i eat them to fast and now... well its my partners birthday and there is mudcake in the fridge... I cant resist!!!

I just keep having a slice and telling myself I will be ok... I dont think I am ok. I tell myself its all the potato I have been eating (potato salad from party) but the fearful truth may be staring me in the face. Its the cake!!

I cant resist food... sweet and chocolaty I find myself standing in front of it and the impulse to eat is too strong.... I just cant resist. My brain has all sorts of ways of making it all ok.. but it never is.

Junk Food

In four days I ate a hot dog and chips, A McDonalds Chicken and Bacon Deluxe and Chips and a Steak sandwich with chips on the side. I keep saying how tired I am... I keep wondering why.. but as I write this the reality hits me square in the face.... my body is exhausted because it is working overtime to process all this hideous crap in my system.... and today I had pancakes (GF), bacon and fried banana with maple syrup for lunch.... why dont I learn!!!

Its the equivalent of a food hangover, your system feels sluggish, you feel sluggish, your body cant handle the heat.