whole wheat strawberry shortcake

I have been trying not to do so many desserts around here since James has been doing so well losing weight and all and I hate to think that I am sabotaging him.

So when I was feeling like an easy light dessert, shortcake came to mind, especially since we had just got some really delicious strawberries from Costco.

So I made some whole wheat shortcake muffins with sweetened strawberries and whipped cream.

You could bake it as a cake or without liners but I had just got these super cute cupcake liners (along with a few other cute designs also) from this Etsy site, and couldn't resist baking the shortcake in them :)

Just look at how cute those liners are!! You cannot find those at walmart!

Whole Wheat Shortcake:

4 eggs, separated

3/4 cup sugar, divided*

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/3 cup water

1/4 cup oil

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 pound (about 2 cups) fresh strawberries, washed and sliced

1 cup whipping cream

1 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

 

In a large bowl with electric mixer at high speed, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Continue beating at high speed and add 1/4 cup sugar, about 2 tablespoonfuls at a time. Beat well after each addition, until sugar is completely dissolved and egg whites stand in stiff peaks.

In another mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the egg yolks, flour, water, oil (I used equal parts applesauce), baking powder, vanilla, and 1/2 cup of sugar. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the flour mixture into the beaten egg whites until completely blended. Pour into 9 inch pan or muffin pan

Bake cake at 325 degrees for about 40 minutes or 18 minutes for muffins or until  the top of the cake springs back when lightly touched with finger and cake tests done. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before removing from pan. The cake will sink slightly as it cools.

I just used whipped cream and tossed some cut up strawberries with a little bit of sugar and there you have a perfect light dessert! They were so light and airy and the kids actually loved these more than a usual cupcake I make!

Banana cupcakes

Yeah, you read that right, Banana cupcakes....

Don't confuse these for banana bread, they are light and sweet.And to top it off,  these little babies have a light whipped nutella  for a frosting.

Yum.

Since James and I were turned on to Nutella we use it every way we can.
We have made Nutella milkshakes, Nutella banana cream pies (our favorite), crepes, slathered on anything bread-like (english muffins, toast) and usually teamed up with bananas.

Banana Cupcakes (from my favorite site Allrecipes):
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Add the eggs, vanilla, bananas and buttermilk. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to banana mixture. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

For the frosting:
1 cup whipping cream
3 Tbsp powdered sugar
2 Tbsp vanilla instant pudding powder (love this)
1/4 cup nutella!!!!

With a mixer, mix cream, sugar and powder till there are stiff peaks.  Gently fold in nutella until completely combined.
Spread on cupcakes or eat it straight out of the bowl like I did :) 

Disinfecting as we speak

2 months......

no joke................

at least one of us is sick each week.....which one? we never know until Monday rolls around.

**Nolan trying to be happy with a 102 degree fever**

This weeks victim?

Poor ol Noli Cannoli

We have had strep, flu, colds, asthma attacks, back to the colds, maybe allergies in the mix, pulled muscles, migraines, and the list goes on....all within 2 months..

Can I please get a break?

Just when I think we are back on the mend, I disinfect the house and then another one of us comes down with something....

Nolan has had it the worst unfortunately, he is such a trooper....I would have to say that he is a professional thrower-upper, he knows when it is coming, runs to the bathroom, does his business, wipes his mouth and goes back to what he was doing.  Gabe on the other hand is a projectile thrower-upper and lets it go everywhere, doesn't matter where he is....Nolan needs to give him some pointers!

All joking aside, I can't wait till we are ALL healthy and we can ALL enjoy the beautiful sun.

I am hoping this is the last week.....I am going to lose it if it isn't....and that isn't a joke.