Flour-Less Birthday Chocolate Cupcakes (Gluten-Free)

For a fun spin on these cupcakes - I made them with almond butter and pistachios on my blog.

Gluten-Free, Grain-Free and Dairy-Free.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
Ingredients:

• 10 large eggs
• 3 oz. baking chocolate such as Green & Black
• ½ cup dark chocolate chips
• ¼ tsp. sea salt
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 cups cashews, finely chopped
• 1 ½ tsp. almond extract
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ cup cashew butter, for serving

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare cupcake tins with nonstick baking spray.
• Separate eggs into large small bowls; one for egg yolks and one for egg whites.
• In a small saucepan, melt baking chocolate and dark chocolate.
• Meanwhile, beat the egg yolks on medium-high speed until and thick, approximately 7 minutes. Reduce speed to low; add sea salt and 2/3 cup granulated sugar until mixture becomes thick and creamy, approximately 8 minutes. Add melted chocolate and cashews; continue to beat with mixer on low speed.
• Add almond extract to the large bowl of egg whites. Beat until foamy, approximately 3 minutes. Add 1/4 cup sugar; beat on high speed until soft peaks form, approximately 5 minutes.
• Fold egg whites into the chocolate mixture.
• Divide the batter evenly among cupcake tins. Transfer to the oven; bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of each cupcake comes out clean.
• Remove from oven; set aside to cool on baking racks.
• Slice each cupcake in half. Serve warm with a spread of cashew butter for a healthy spin on sugary icing.