Made with sweetened coconut flakes, egg whites, and just a few other ingredients, these Coconut Macaroons are moist, chewy, and perfectly flavored. They’re wonderful for Passover and Christmas baking but can be enjoyed anytime. The Best Coconut M…
Made with sweetened coconut flakes, egg whites, and just a few other ingredients, these Coconut Macaroons are moist, chewy, and perfectly flavored. They’re wonderful for Passover and Christmas baking but can be enjoyed anytime. The Best Coconut Macaroons Recipe Making these coconut macaroons couldn’t be easier. You simply combine the ingredients, simmer the mixture, cool,
If you need a healthy, protein-packed breakfast to make ahead and eat on the go, you’ll love this easy mini quiche recipe with ham and cheese. It’s great for breakfast, brunch, meal prep, and back to school. Mini Quiche Recipe with Ham and Cheese To li…
If you need a healthy, protein-packed breakfast to make ahead and eat on the go, you’ll love this easy mini quiche recipe with ham and cheese. It’s great for breakfast, brunch, meal prep, and back to school. Mini Quiche Recipe with Ham and Cheese To lighten up the quiche, I use phyllo crust and yogurt
A crudites platter is a beautiful and delicious way to serve fresh vegetables as an appetizer or a snack for any holiday or gathering. Colorful Crudite Platter If you want to make a crudités platter like the pros, then look no further! This step-by-ste…
A crudites platter is a beautiful and delicious way to serve fresh vegetables as an appetizer or a snack for any holiday or gathering. Colorful Crudite Platter If you want to make a crudités platter like the pros, then look no further! This step-by-step tutorial will help you create the perfect crudités platter for your
My secret ingredient to make the Best Carrot Cake is adding a can of crushed pineapple, which makes it SO moist with less added sugar. c Best Carrot Cake Recipe I was recently asked if carrots are really in carrot cake – The answer is yes! Hence, the n…
My secret ingredient to make the Best Carrot Cake is adding a can of crushed pineapple, which makes it SO moist with less added sugar. c Best Carrot Cake Recipe I was recently asked if carrots are really in carrot cake – The answer is yes! Hence, the name! This cake also has coconut flakes
One Easter when I was living in New York City, I hosted a brunch for my friends. Since the traditional dessert in my family had been carrot cake, I decided…
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One Easter when I was living in New York City, I hosted a brunch for my friends. Since the traditional dessert in my family had been carrot cake, I decided...
Made with mayo, dijon mustard, and paprika, these Classic Deviled Eggs are an easy and flavorful side dish or appetizer. They’re perfect for holidays like Easter, summer gatherings, and packed lunches, and they can store well too! Classic Deviled…
Made with mayo, dijon mustard, and paprika, these Classic Deviled Eggs are an easy and flavorful side dish or appetizer. They’re perfect for holidays like Easter, summer gatherings, and packed lunches, and they can store well too! Classic Deviled Eggs Deviled eggs are perfect if you’re looking for an inexpensive, low-carb appetizer or snack, especially […]
Making risotto in the Instant Pot is the easiest and quickest way to make it, eliminating the need to watch and stir it the entire time. Instant Pot Risotto Instant Pot Risotto is the fastest and easiest way to make risotto! This spring recipe is made with prosciutto, peas, and herbs for a delicious side […]
Making risotto in the Instant Pot is the easiest and quickest way to make it, eliminating the need to watch and stir it the entire time.
Instant Pot Risotto
Instant Pot Risotto is the fastest and easiest way to make risotto! This spring recipe is made with prosciutto, peas, and herbs for a delicious side dish and a great addition to your holiday table. You can also modify some of my other risotto recipes like Spring Asparagus Risotto, and Scallops Over Wilted Spinach Parmesan Risotto using this cooking method. See all my Instant Pot recipes here.
This carrot cake cupcakes recipe is a smash hit! The moist, spiced cakes are topped with mounds of tangy cream cheese frosting.
Here’s a festive recipe that’s a simpler form of the popular classic cake: Carrot Cake Cupcakes! These little cakes are fun, easy to put together, and overwhelmingly satisfying. The moist, carrot-studded cakes have just the right warm spiced interior. Piled high with tangy cream cheese frosting, the flavor combination is out of this world good. We tested these out on a few friends and neighbors and they all came back with 5 star reviews! They’re ideal for spring, Easter, or anytime you’re craving an impressive treat.
Ingredients in carrot cake cupcakes
Carrot cake cupcakes are much simpler than making a big layered cake. No need to make several round pans, worry about a toppling cake or best practices for icing. Just throw the batter in a muffin tin, and you’re done! Icing is quick and simple with a pastry bag. Here’s what you’ll need for the cake portion of these carrot cake cupcakes:
All-purpose flour
Granulated sugar
Spices: cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg
Baking soda
Salt
Eggs
Neutral oil
Unsweetened applesauce: applesauce is the secret ingredient that makes these cupcakes extremely moist!
Carrots: we like to use the large grater holes for substantial chunks of carrots
Tips the cream cheese frosting
The most challenging part of these carrot cake cupcakes? Icing them! There are just a few tips we’ve learned for making the best cream cheese frosting that holds up on a cupcake. Here’s what to know:
Let the butter and cream cheese come to room temperature (1 hour). Sure, it’s annoying to remember. But it’s absolutely crucial for the right texture, here. We’ve messed it up with butter that’s too cold. Place them on the counter and it should take 1 hour for both to come to room temperature.
Sift the powdered sugar. To ensure the best icing quality, sift the powdered sugar through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl before using it. This removes any lumps.
Pipe with a pastry bag. Pastry bags may seem daunting at first, but they’re very easy to use. Choose a fun icing tip and apply the icing in a circular pattern across the top of the cakes.
Presentation ideas for carrot cake cupcakes
These carrot cake cupcakes look lovely with a sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios on top. But you can step them up in a few ways! Here are some ideas:
Top with any chopped nuts like pistachios, pecans, or walnuts
Add a sprinkle of shredded coconut
Add carrot candies to the tops, or make a decorative carrot using icing
Storage and make-ahead info
What are best ways to store carrot cake cupcakes? Can you make them ahead? Here are a few tips:
Cupcakes are best fresh. But you can make them ahead! See below.
Un-iced cupcakes store at room temperature in a sealed container for 2 days, or up to 5 days refrigerated.
Leftover iced cupcakes store for up to 4 days refrigerated.
If making in advance, store the cupcakes without frosting. Refrigerate up to 2 days. Add icing as close to serving as possible.
Or, freeze un-frosted cupcakes for up to 2 months before serving. Again, we recommend making them closer to serving for best results. You can also freeze leftover cream cheese frosting for up to 1 month. Make sure to bring it to room temperature and stir it before using.
More carrot recipes
Carrots are always in season (though of course we love to celebrate them in the spring!). Here are a few more carrot recipes you’ll love:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar
For the garnish: finely chopped pistachios, pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place muffin liners into a standard 12-cup muffin tin.
In a medium bowl, mix the flour, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking soda, and kosher salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with the oil and applesauce. Stir in the grated carrots.
Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring only until just combined (but making sure no pockets of dry ingredients remain).
Divide the batter evenly between the muffin cups (about ¼ cup in each).
Bake for 23 to 25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to fully cool, at least 1 hour. (Set out the butter and cream cheese at room temperature for 1 hour while the cupcakes cool.)
When the cupcakes are cool, make the cream cheese frosting: Make sure the butter and cream cheese are at room temperature. Use a fine mesh sieve to sift the powdered sugar into a bowl. Beat the butter and cream cheese with a mixer on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes until completely smooth, scraping once. Reduce the speed to low, then add the vanilla. Slowly add the powdered sugar until it comes together into a thick icing.
Use a pastry bag to pipe the icing onto the cupcakes, or refrigerate the icing up to 1 week until frosting. (You can use the entire quantity of frosting or less if desired for a lighter cupcake.) Top with finely chopped pistachios.
Storage info: Leftover cupcakes can be stored refrigerated for up to 4 days, but are best served as fresh as possible (bring to room temperature before serving). If making in advance, store the cupcakes refrigerated without frosting; add icing as close to serving as possible. Freeze the un-frosted cupcakes for up to 2 months, but again: we recommend making them closer to serving for best results. You can also freeze cream cheese frosting for up to 1 month. Make sure to bring it to room temperature and stir it before using.
Roasted Strawberry Banana Bread is moist and delicious, made with ripe bananas and roasted strawberries, which brings out the sweetness of the berries. Roasted Strawberry Banana Bread Banana bread is one of my favorite quick breads. I make it for Madison all the time! This Roasted Strawberry Banana Bread is a delicious variation – perfect when strawberries […]
Roasted Strawberry Banana Bread is moist and delicious, made with ripe bananas and roasted strawberries, which brings out the sweetness of the berries.
Roasted Strawberry Banana Bread
Banana bread is one of my favorite quick breads. I make it for Madison all the time! This Roasted Strawberry Banana Bread is a delicious variation – perfect when strawberries are in season. Some other healthy banana bread recipes I love are this Blueberry Banana Bread and Banana Cranberry Bread.