Simple Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Name: Simple Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 18 Servings
Ingredients: 🧂 1 cup white sugar; 4 ounces unsweetened applesauce; ½ cup vegetable oil; 🥚 2 large eggs, at room temperature; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 🌾 1 cup all-purpose flour; 🧂 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon baking powder; 🧂 ¼ teaspoon salt; 🥕 1 ½ cups freshly grated carrots; ¼ cup raisins (Optional); ¼ cup shredded sweetened coconut (Optional); ¼ cup crushed pineapple, drained (Optional); ¼ cup chopped pecans (Optional); 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature; 🧈 ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature; 🧂 4 cups powdered sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; mini marshmallows, colored sanding sugar, pearl sprinkles, and/or mini chocolate candies as needed

Cost $10, save $15

Source: Recommended by CookPal

30 Min
18 Servings
$10

Simple Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Cost $10, save $15

Source: Recommended by CookPal

30 Min
18 Servings
$10

INGREDIENTS

Cupcake Batter
- 🧂 1 cup white sugar
- 4 ounces unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 🥚 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 🌾 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 🧂 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 🧂 ¼ teaspoon salt
- 🥕 1 ½ cups freshly grated carrots
- ¼ cup raisins (Optional)
- ¼ cup shredded sweetened coconut (Optional)
- ¼ cup crushed pineapple, drained (Optional)
- ¼ cup chopped pecans (Optional)
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
- 🧈 ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 🧂 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- mini marshmallows, colored sanding sugar, pearl sprinkles, and/or mini chocolate candies as needed

STEPS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners.

Whisk together sugar, applesauce, oil, eggs, and vanilla for cupcakes in a large bowl. Sift in flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; mix until well combined. Add grated carrots, raisins, shredded coconut, crushed pineapple, and pecans; mix until fully incorporated. Scoop batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling halfway.

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and butter for frosting with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually mix in powdered sugar and beat until creamy. Mix in vanilla.

Frost cupcakes when they are completely cool; if they are even slightly warm, the frosting will melt. Decorate as desired.

NUTRIENTS

Per 1 serving

🔥

337

Calories

3
Protein
46
Carbs
16
Fats

💡 Use freshly grated carrots for maximum moisture and flavor.Make sure the cupcakes are completely cool before frosting to avoid the frosting melting.Customize mix-ins like raisins, coconut, pineapple, or pecans to suit taste preferences.For festive decorations, sprinkle colored sugar or pearls for an aesthetic touch.