Cardamom Infused Citrus Coconut Mini Cakes (vegan and GF) + Learn to Grind your own Cardamom

Have a wonderful Carda-MOM Day this sunday!

Another great recipe to share with your Mother on her special day! (These will make everyone feel special)!
I had so much fun photographing this today. I wanted to try something a little different, a dark background and I think it worked out beautifully! Can you tell I went photo happy?

Now to grind your own cardamom from cardamom pods. You must first break the dried pod with either the back of a knife or a clean garlic press. Little dark seeds will try to escape their green shell as soon as you do! Collect these in a bowl. Then once you have about two tablespoonfuls, pop into a clean coffee grinder and grind those babies! This will only take 30 seconds. Enjoy your freshly ground cardamom!

You can buy cardamom pods from Mountain Rose Herbs. Also great in this simple chai recipe!

Did you know cardamom is also called "the Queen of Spices." It works wonders for the digestion and can remedy bloated stomachs. It also helps to relieve respiratory issues such as asthma.
 
Cardamom Infused Citrus Coconut  Mini Cakes (vegan, NF, GF, DF EF)

Ingredients
3/4 cup brown rice flour
1/2 c tapioca flour
1/2 c arrowroot powder
1/2 c + 2 T golden flaxseeds
1 1/4 c fresh-squeezed citrus juice (I used 2 small lemons and one large orange)
1 1/2 t cardamom, ground
1 c shredded coconut
1/2 cup raw turbinado sugar
2 T agave nectar
1 t baking powder
2 t baking soda
1/2 c coconut oil, melted

Toppings:
Shredded coconut
coconut butter
shreds of orange zest


Directions:
1. Grind flaxseeds in coffee grinder.
2. Mix flours, flaxseeds, baking soda + powder, coconut in one bowl.
3. Mix remaining ingredients in seperate bowl.
4. Slowly add in liquid to dry ingredients until incorporated. Do not overmix or they will turn out dry.
5. Distribute in a greased muffin pan.
6. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.
7. Top and enjoy!