Gluten Free Lemon Cupcakes

For those of you that have been following the blog for a while know I like to make a celebration out of Grey's half birthday. (Ok, I really love the opportunity to make a celebration out of anything) but half-birthdays have just been a special thing since my little babe hit his first half-bday milestone at just six months old. 

Each year we bake cupcakes and just talk about his year so far and I always write an open letter to my sweet little guy. You can read this years, as he turns 3 and a half, here, as well as reflect back on our previous celebrations. 

As I said in that post, I would share a recipe for gluten free lemon cupcakes that you all could whip up, that is allergen friendly and toddler approved. We Disney-fied it a bit for fun! 

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Lemon Cupcakes 

DIrections

Lemon Cupcakes

• 1 1/2 c. gluten-free flour 
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. cream of tartar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 c. softened vegan butter
• 1 cup coconut or date sugar 
• 2 TBSP. lemon zest
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 c. vegan sour cream (Follow Your Heart is soy free!)
• 3 TBSP. dairy-free milk
• 3 TBSP. lemon juice from a fresh lemon

Vegan Buttercream

• 3/4 cup softened vegan butter
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 3 - 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar (Trader Joes is corn-free!)

Directions 

Lemon Cupcakes

• Preheat the oven to 350F degrees.
• Line a muffin pan with parchment cup liners. 
• In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt.
• In a standing mixer bowl, or in a large bowl with a handheld, beat the butter, sugar and lemon zest until fluffy. 
• Add in eggs and vanilla. Beat until mixed. 
• In a small bowl whisk together the sour cream, milk substiture and lemon juice. 
• Add 1/2 of your flour mixture into the butter mixture, followed by 1/2 of the sour cream mixture. Make sure to scrape the sides of your bowl as needed. Repeat the process once more.
• Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan, filling each liner about 3/4. 
• Bake for 17-19 minutes or until your toothpick comes out clean.

The Frosting

• In a large bowl beat the butter until light and airy.  
• Add in your salt. 
• Add in 2 cups of powdered sugar and mix. 
• Beat in the rest of the powdered sugar about 1/2 cup at a time until the desired consistency. 
• Transfer the frosting to a piping bag with a large tip and frost in a dollop as shown above.

Do you have a favorite cupcake flavor? Grey's changes daily, but such is the life of a three year old. 

Do you do anything special for half-birthdays in your home?

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