Carrot Cake Cupcakes
192 days ago
Skip to recipeIf you are looking for a carrot cake recipe without nuts, this recipe is it. My son is allergic to nuts and I have found in my cooking classes that many others are too. So, not to leave those people out of enjoying this iconic dessert, I developed this recipe for nut-free Carrot Cake Cupcakes.
Preparing the Carrots
The carrots are really the only ingredient that needs to be prepared. After peeling them with a Vegetable Peeler, continue to peel the rest of the carrot to make thin strips. The strips are then chopped, using 7-1/2″ Vegetable Knife.
The small pieces of carrot are easily incorporated into the batter, which also includes drained, crushed pineapple, making the cupcakes super moist.
Making the Cupcakes
It is important to note that the ingredients for this recipe are separated into wet ingredients and dry ingredients. Mix the two separately and then slowly add the combined dry ingredients to the wet mixture to incorporate. This helps prevent getting pockets of dry ingredients in the batter.
Once combined, spoon the batter into a muffin tin lined with cupcake liners, but fill only three-quarters full.
You can use either a 12-cup muffin pan or a 24-cup mini muffin pan, but note the cook times will be different. The larger cupcakes will bake for 20 to 25 minutes, the mini cupcakes will bake for 11 to 13 minutes.
The batter will look a bit wet, even when it’s fully cooked, so look at the edges of the cupcake liner. If those start to look dry, take them out.
The Finishing Touch
The Carrot Cake Cupcakes wouldn’t be complete without some cream cheese icing. It’s easily made by combining softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, powdered sugar and a touch of vanilla.
After the cupcakes have cooled, use a Spatula Spreader to frost each one with the icing.
The icing isn’t overly sweet and the flavors are well balanced.
Because these are nut-free they are a family favorite that everyone can enjoy.
Ingredients
Wet ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 4 medium carrots, peeled, and then carrots peeled and finely chopped (about 2 cups)
- 1/2 cup drained, crushed pineapple (from can)
Dry ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
lcing ingredients:
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (1 stick)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners (or 24-cup mini cupcake pan with liners).
- Mix all wet ingredients in a bowl.
- Combine all dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
- Slowly incorporate the dry mix into the wet portion and mix everything together well.
- Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each only 3/4 full.
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes (for larger cupcakes) or 11-13 minutes (for mini cupcakes) or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool.
- Use a mixer or whisk to combine all icing ingredients together until it's light and fluffy.
- Frost cooled cupcakes and enjoy!