Star Anise Pear Protein Cupcakes

With great cake texture and a delicious combination of flavors, these Star Anise Pear Protein Cupcakes are a fall favorite!

The combination of ingredients in the cake mix works very well and gives a great cake texture. And the pear adds just enough sweetness.

 

The frosting is a pear-cashew protein cream, using soaked raw cashews as a base (like my Cashew Whipped Cream). The pears in the frosting add a nice sweetness to the cream, and you don't really taste the cashews. Keep in mind, though, that because the cream contains fresh pears, it will begin to discolor over time. (It will still taste great, but if you're making these cupcakes for company, I would make the frosting soon before serving.)

As delicious as they are pretty, these Star Anise Pear Protein Cupcakes are another great way to hit your macros! Give them a try!

Recipe

Star Anise Pear Protein Cupcakes

Andréa Marchese

A delicious flavor combination in a high protein treat! Star Anise Pear Protein Cupcakes made with protein powder and naturally gluten free. Makes 12 cupcakes.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings 12 cupcakes

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Equipment

• 12 silicone cupcake cups

Ingredients

Star anise pear cake:

• 1 medium pear 178g, chopped
• 8 large egg whites 264g
• ¼ cup coconut flour 28g
• ¼ cup almond flour 28g
• ½ cup vanilla rice protein powder 56g
• ½ cup vanilla whey protein powder 45g
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon ground star anise

Pear-cashew protein cream frosting:

• 1 cup raw cashews 122g, soaked for 4 hours or more in filtered water
• ¼ cup vanilla whey protein powder 23g
• 1 medium pear 178g, chopped

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 325F (163C).
• Start to make the cake batter by blending the pear and egg whites until smooth.
• Add remaining cake ingredients and blend until smooth.
• Pour batter into 12 silicone cupcake cups.
• Bake for about 20 minutes, or until firm and a toothpick comes out clean.
• While the cupcakes are baking, rinse the cashews.
• Blend rinsed cashews with whey and pear until smooth. Set in the freezer of refrigerator to cool as cupcakes finish baking.
• Let cupcakes cool to room temperature.
• Frost cupcakes, and enjoy!

Notes

A note about substitutions: because each type of protein powder has a distinct flavor and texture when baked, I would not try substituting different types of protein powders in this recipe. (See my Recipe Basics video for examples of what goes wrong when you use the wrong protein powder.)
If you are using ground anise (different than ground star anise), you may need a little more. Taste your batter!

Nutrition

Serving: 1frosted cupcake | Calories: 148kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 6g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Net Carbohydrates: 8g