Description
Irresistible carrot cake cupcakes blend classic comfort with modern baking magic. Moist spices and cream cheese frosting create a delightful dessert you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups grated carrots
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mix-ins:
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Topping:
- Cream cheese frosting
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F and prepare muffin tin with cupcake liners, ensuring even spacing.
- Combine dry ingredients – flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt – in a mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to distribute spices evenly.
- In a separate large bowl, vigorously beat eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and well-integrated.
- Slowly incorporate dry ingredient mixture into wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined without overmixing.
- Carefully fold freshly grated carrots and chopped walnuts into the batter, ensuring even distribution throughout.
- Distribute batter into prepared muffin liners, filling each approximately two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
- Place muffin tin in preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, rotating halfway through for consistent browning.
- Test cupcake doneness by inserting a clean toothpick into center – it should emerge without wet batter.
- Remove from oven and allow cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before applying cream cheese frosting.
Notes
- Toast walnuts lightly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a delightful crunch in every bite.
- Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and oil to ensure smooth, even mixing and a tender cake texture.
- Consider swapping all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining the same delicious result.
- Reduce sugar content by using half applesauce or mashed banana to create a healthier version without sacrificing moisture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 195 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 115 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg