Chocolate Cupcakes with Raspberry Glaze and Homecoming
By Emily Smith
Have I mentioned this before?
It’s the first time that we will be living together in Canada. Yes, we’ve been married
for over two years, but we were living in Norfolk, Virginia.
And this past year I’ve been here in Canada with our Little A. while Mr. Smith was on a long
deployment in and around the North Arabian Gulf. Upon his return in July, he continued
working in port in Virginia, while we waited to hear if the request for an early release from his
contract was approved.
At last, it was.
Now we will be living together in Ottawa.
A monumental and very special thing for us, because you see, when my husband was just a
young man first visiting me in Canada from Tennessee, some 11 years ago – when I was just a girl and we were just kissy friends - he promised to one day return and make a home with me here.
And that day is today!
Little A. and I can barely contain our excitement. We are anxiously waiting for him to arrive!
Our friends picked him up in Virginia yesterday and they are making their way here now, along
with tons of our belongings that were sitting in storage, waiting for us to make a decision…
Were we staying or going?
Going.
Going to be together now in this place we call home.
So, it’s another day of celebrating and Little A. and I made chocolate cupcakes for the occasion.
A certain somebody’s favourite.
What more can I say?
Today, my best friend & adoring husband is coming home. I couldn’t be any happier!
It seems obvious enough that when you are married you should be physically together, but
as many of you know, circumstance doesn’t always have it that way. And you have to
overcome distance and separation to build your relationship and keep your love strong.
For those of you who have done this, are doing this, and may do this the rest of your lives,
you are so courageous and your love knows no boundaries or limitations.
For those of you who have your loved one right beside you, be thankful that you do -
even when they leave their wet towel on the floor… because when they’re not around,
you really do miss everything about them.
Today, I happily close the chapter on endurance. Lord knows it took such endurance
to be apart from my soulmate for days on end. There will be new life lessons,
there will be different struggles to overcome – but we will conquer them, together.
———-
Little A. gets to see his daddy in only a few hours and I get to
wrap my arms around my Love…and together we get to
rejoice, laugh, cry, jump for joy and eat cupcakes!
Thank you for your encouragement
and for celebrating with us,
xo Emily
Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes with Raspberry Glaze
Makes 12
1 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup tapioca flour
1/2 cup oat flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup organic sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup apple sauce
1/2 cup unsweetened chocolate almond milk
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
In a medium bowl mix together flours, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk eggs, add in sugar, olive oil. Pour into dry mix.
Add in apple sauce, almond milk and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly, until lumps
have pretty much disappeared (You can use the mixer for this, but I like an old-
fashioned arm work out!)
Bake for 23-25 minutes at 350F.
Let cool before icing.
Raspberry Glaze
1 cup frozen raspberries
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup icing sugar
In a medium sized saucepan, heat raspberries, water and brown sugar on medium high heat
for 8 minutes – stirring continuously. Bring to low heat and simmer for another 5. The mixture
will have thickened and have a sticky, but liquid consistency. Let cool for 10 minutes.
In a small mixing bowl blend together icing sugar and raspberry mixture.
This will form your glaze.
Dip cupcakes in the glaze, adding more with spoon/knife as desired.
Before serving, dust with powdered sugar – and enjoy!
Michèle
September 7, 2011 at 2:19 pm (621 days ago)I’m so happy this day has finally come! To see you push through and overcome all the hurdles it took to get here – it’s uplifting to know the glow of reunion is almost there! Cocoon yourselves for a while, but make sure to come back to us with that pure joy and enthusiasm that have at times been missing… love ya!
Lara {simply irresistible}
September 7, 2011 at 3:08 pm (621 days ago)Gosh these look absolutely delish. Chocolate and raspberry are an awesome combination. And these look so moist! Thanks for sharing.
Catherine Lemieux
September 7, 2011 at 3:43 pm (621 days ago)This day will be the one you remember for the rest of your lives. It will be the day that finally, your lives truly begin together. The past 2 years have only made you stronger and your hardened relationship will be able to tackle the hardest obstacles, the tallest of mountains.
Enjoy this day. And when you are ready, we will all celebrate together, as friends.
Lots of love!
Punctuation Mark
September 7, 2011 at 4:27 pm (620 days ago)i love chocolates and love raspberries… the perfect combination!!!
Laura
September 7, 2011 at 7:11 pm (620 days ago)How wonderful! Enjoy every minute of your husband’s homecoming. A big thank you to him (and you!)for serving our great country! These look absolutely divine. You had me a chocolate raspberry!
Gloria
September 7, 2011 at 9:48 pm (620 days ago)These look beauty and perfect!! Love them! gloria
Tiffany
September 8, 2011 at 12:03 am (620 days ago)I can TOTALLY feel the joy in your post! CONGRATS! … and LOVELY cupcakes!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love.
September 8, 2011 at 12:14 am (620 days ago)Emily, everything about this post is just wonderful!!! These cupcakes look SO SO good!! And I am so happy for you and your family!!
Loraine
September 8, 2011 at 12:21 am (620 days ago)So happy for you, your husband, and son! I’m sure your hubby will love the cupcakes- they look absolutely delish! By the way, Anthropologie is now selling a gluten free cookbook!
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?navAction=jump&id=23083025&parentid=SEARCH_RESULTS&color=066
Marie
September 8, 2011 at 5:15 am (620 days ago)I am so happy for you
It must have been so hard to be away from each other. Enjoy this moment and the cupcakes, yum!
xx Marie
Emily of The Best of this Life
September 9, 2011 at 12:05 am (619 days ago)Thank you everyone for your love and support!!
We are happily reunited and celebrating to the fullest.
(and the cupcakes were a great success!)
xo Emily
Shu Han
September 9, 2011 at 1:59 am (619 days ago)I’m so happy for you! the photos are AMAZING I don’t know how you styled it or got the colours to look so day-dream like. great job, and I bet your husband and little a loved those cupcakes!
Kelsey
September 9, 2011 at 2:03 am (619 days ago)SO BRILLIANT! bet these were a hit. mmmm i want one so bad to taste
Lindsay @ Delighted Momma
September 9, 2011 at 5:13 am (619 days ago)Ahh yummmmyyyy!!! Girl your pictures and presentation are fantastic
Rosa's Yummy Yums
September 9, 2011 at 12:24 pm (619 days ago)Lovely cupcakes! A great way to welcome your husband back.
Cheers,
Rosa
Anna of IHOD
September 9, 2011 at 6:14 pm (618 days ago)Praise God he is home!
I am so happy this day has arrived for you and your little one. Enjoy every moment.
These cupcakes look like the perfect welcome.
<3
patience
September 9, 2011 at 9:13 pm (618 days ago)what a GREAT post! i can’t even imagine how excited you are that your husband is coming home. i would miss mine like crazy should he have to be or live somewhere else. i have a friend in that situation too and i can hardly fathom it!
also, those cupcakes look super delicious.
also, yay for living in canada, and i adore ottawa. i don’t come across nearly enough canadian bloggers like myself!
David
September 10, 2011 at 2:07 am (618 days ago)sorry for not being quick with a post but busy being kissy friends, the cupcakes where very tasty thanks sugar.
Nami | Just One Cookbook
September 10, 2011 at 5:00 am (618 days ago)Hi Emily! I love this beautiful raspberry glaze!! And your photography is gorgeous. You are so sweet making these and waiting for your husband. Very cute.
Food Glorious Food!
September 10, 2011 at 9:12 pm (617 days ago)I am so happy for you! Your cup cakes are amazing! Have a great weekend!
Lynn {hearted girl}
September 11, 2011 at 2:40 am (617 days ago)oh Emily!!!!!!!!!!! at 1st i was all like ga-ga over the delicious display and then i read on to discover your tremendous news!!! now not that it discounts your awesome dish but dag is this ever an epic thing going on in your lives right now.
i can just imagine the pure bliss cloud you’ve been floating along in and am overjoyed for you that he’s finally home! i literally cannot wait to hear more from you about what’s happened since you’ve all reunited and little A’s solace spot is finally here to stay too.
many, many blessings to you all! ♥
pea ess: i’m sorry it’s taken me a while to come visit, no excuses other than time constraints. i like to spend a bunch when stopping by so i can pour over every last morsel. i’m including a link to your blog next week in a post i’m working on, i love it so and think you’re out of this world! xoox
tinajo
September 11, 2011 at 3:11 pm (617 days ago)I´m glad for you – and this looks so delicious, yum!
Anne@frommysweetheart
September 12, 2011 at 2:52 am (616 days ago)Oh Emily….I have a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes as I read this post. I wish you and your family a lifetime of happiness! (And your cupcakes are amazing!)
Drew {Coral Cafe}
September 15, 2011 at 3:33 am (613 days ago)These look so incredibly goooood!!
Emily of The Best of this Life
September 19, 2011 at 1:01 am (609 days ago)Thank you everyone for your beautiful comments and lovely notes!
xo Emily