Carrot Cupcakes Cream Cheese (Printable Version)
Moist spiced carrot cupcakes with creamy cheese topping, ideal for gatherings or sweet moments.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cupcake Dry Ingredients
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tsp baking powder
03 - 1/2 tsp baking soda
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
06 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
07 - 1/4 tsp ground ginger
→ Cupcake Wet Ingredients
08 - 2/3 cup granulated sugar
09 - 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
10 - 2/3 cup vegetable oil
11 - 2 large eggs
12 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Cupcake Mix-Ins
13 - 1 1/2 cups finely grated carrots (about 2 medium)
14 - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
15 - 1/3 cup raisins (optional)
→ Cream Cheese Frosting
16 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
17 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
18 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
19 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
20 - Pinch of salt
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger until well blended.
03 - In a large bowl, beat together granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
04 - Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
05 - Stir in grated carrots, and if desired, nuts and raisins until evenly distributed.
06 - Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling each about 3/4 full.
07 - Bake for 20–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Let cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Beat cream cheese and butter together until creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
10 - Once cupcakes are completely cool, frost generously with cream cheese frosting.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- These cupcakes stay incredibly moist for days thanks to the oil and fresh carrots
- The cream cheese frosting-to-cake ratio is absolute perfection in every bite
02 -
- Overmixing the batter will make your cupcakes tough instead of tender
- Warm cupcakes will melt your frosting, so patience during cooling is essential
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly and create better texture
- Add a teaspoon of fresh orange juice to your frosting for subtle brightness