Carrot Cupcakes/Muffins

Often carrot cake can seem like a throw back to the ’70s, when they were dense and tasted ultimately too good for you. This updated version is moist, sweet and has a rich combination of spices that makes it one of the tastiest cakes ever. Adding a bit of orange and lemon zest to the smooth cream cheese icing brings out those bright flavors in the cake. I have served these cupcakes at every occasion, from picnics to weddings; it is even a terrific breakfast treat.
Carrot Cupcakes
Makes 24 cupcakes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Baking Time: 30 minutes
Level: Easy
Ingredients
For the cake:
1 pound carrots, peeled
1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained of excess juice
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Zest of 1 orange
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/4 cups ground walnuts, lightly toasted (or shredded coconut)
1 cup raisins (or chopped dried cherries)
For the cream cheese frosting:
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
6 ounces (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
3 cups confectioners’ sugar
Pinch salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon orange zest

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare muffin tins with papers.

To mix the carrot cake:

• Grate the carrots using the grater attachment on a food processor.

• Then chopped them into smaller pieces with the medal blade attachment in the food processor, so the texture of the cake will be finer.

• Before measuring the pineapple, press it through a strainer to get rid of the excess juice.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, brown sugar, oil, vanilla extract, and orange zest.
• In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices with a whisk. Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture. Add the finely chopped carrots, pineapple, walnuts, and raisins.

• Fill the muffin cups about 2/3 full. Bake for about 24 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool on a rack.

To make the cream cheese frosting:

• Cream together the cream cheese and butter in a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, on medium speed. Turn down the speed and add the sugar. Once the sugar is incorporated add the salt, vanilla and zest.
• Use a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip to decorate the cupcakes with the frosting.

Recipe from by Zoë François at thecookingchanneltv.com