FODMAP Cute Cupcakes or Muffins

You can make amazing cakes suitable for anyone on a special diet or allergies with a bit of imagination and sense of adventure in the kitchen. FODMAP friendly cakes can be a bit of a challenge to make tasty without loading them up with fat and sugar, which isn't going to help anyone's arthritis, so it takes a bit of creativity to get the texture and flavour right. One book that really shook up my approach to baking is Harry Eastwood's 'Red Velvet Chocolate Heartache' which is full of inspiring cake recipes made with vegetables! I'd recommend it for anyone with IBS who wants cake ideas that are a bit different from the usual boring 'free-from' variety. This recipe is adapted from one of hers and it is a great, fool-proof cupcake. 


Ingredients: 
150g peeled and finely grated courgette/zuchinni 
90g gluten free flour 
1 medium free-range egg 
15g ground almonds (if you want to make nut free just omit) 
75g sugar (I used soft brown for a moister cake or if you want a fluffier cake, use caster sugar) 
1tsp baking powder 
1tsp vanilla extract 


Makes 6 cupcakes - easily doubled 


Beat the egg and sugar together in a large bowl with an electric whisk for 3-5 minutes until pale and frothy. Add the flour, courgette, almonds (if using) vanilla and baking power and beat again until well-combined. Pour into cases and bake for about 20 minutes at 180c/350f until risen and lightly golden. Variations: Chocolate cupcakes - use 20g cocoa powder and only 70g flour Lemon - add the grated zest of one lemon