Delightful Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Indulge in the moist and flavorful Delightful Carrot Cake Cupcakes, inspired by the beloved Barefoot Contessa. These cupcakes blend the goodness of grated carrots, sweet raisins, and crunchy walnuts to create a delightful treat for any occasion. Topped with a rich and creamy cream cheese frosting, they are perfect for gatherings, celebrations, or simply as a sweet pick-me-up. Each bite offers a harmony of flavors and textures that will leave everyone wanting more. Gather your friends and family to enjoy this delightful dessert together!
N/A
Servings
120
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Sugar
2 cups (Granulated)
Vegetable Oil
1 1/3 cups (Stable oil for baking)
Pure Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon (For flavoring)
Extra-Large Eggs
3 (Room temperature)
All-Purpose Flour
2 cups (Sifted)
Ground Cinnamon
2 teaspoons (For spice)
Baking Soda
2 teaspoons (For leavening)
Kosher Salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (For balancing flavors)
Grated Carrots
3 cups (Freshly grated (less than 1 pound))
Raisins
1 cup (Plump and sweet)
Chopped Walnuts
1 cup (Chopped)
Cream Cheese
3/4 lb (At room temperature)
Unsalted Butter
1/2 lb (At room temperature)
Pure Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon (For frosting flavor)
Confectioners' Sugar
1 lb (Sifted)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line muffin pans with paper liners.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat until well combined.
3
Add the extra-large eggs, one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
4
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, baking soda, and kosher salt.
5
With the mixer on low speed, gradually add half of the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined.
6
Gently fold in the grated carrots, raisins, and chopped walnuts into the remaining dry ingredients. Then, add this mixture to the batter and mix until just fully combined.
7
Scoop the batter into the lined muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
8
Bake in the preheated oven at 400°F for 10 minutes. Then, reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for an additional 15 to 25 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake. The toothpick should come out clean when they are done.
9
Once baked, allow the cupcakes to cool on a wire rack while you prepare the cream cheese frosting.
10
For the frosting, cream together the room temperature cream cheese and unsalted butter in a mixing bowl until smooth. Add the vanilla extract and confectioners' sugar and beat until creamy and well combined.
11
Once the cupcakes are completely cool, generously frost each cupcake with the cream cheese frosting and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
4.9g
Fat
19g
Carbs
1.4g
Protein
9.3g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Delightful Carrot Cake Cupcakes?
They are moist and flavorful cupcakes inspired by the Barefoot Contessa, featuring grated carrots, sweet raisins, and crunchy walnuts, topped with a rich cream cheese frosting.
What is the primary inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe is inspired by the culinary style of the beloved Barefoot Contessa.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) before you begin preparing the batter.
How should I prepare the muffin pans?
Line your muffin pans with paper liners to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
What equipment is recommended for mixing the batter?
An electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment is recommended for beating the sugar, oil, and vanilla extract.
When should I add the eggs to the mixture?
Add the extra-large eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next one.
Which dry ingredients should be sifted together?
Sift together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, baking soda, and kosher salt in a separate bowl.
How do I incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet batter?
With the mixer on low speed, gradually add half of the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until just combined.
How are the carrots, raisins, and walnuts added?
Gently fold the grated carrots, raisins, and chopped walnuts into the remaining dry ingredients before adding them to the batter.
How much should I fill the muffin cups?
Fill each lined muffin cup about 3/4 full with the cupcake batter.
What is the specific baking process for these cupcakes?
Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350°F and bake for another 15 to 25 minutes.
How do I know when the cupcakes are finished baking?
The cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
What ingredients are in the cream cheese frosting?
The frosting consists of cream cheese, unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and sifted confectioners' sugar.
What is the secret to a smooth frosting?
Ensure both the cream cheese and the unsalted butter are at room temperature before creaming them together.
When is it safe to frost the cupcakes?
Wait until the cupcakes are completely cool on a wire rack before applying the frosting.
How many calories are in each cupcake?
Each cupcake contains approximately 120 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains about 4.9g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a single cupcake?
There are 19g of carbohydrates per cupcake.
How much sugar is in this recipe per serving?
Each cupcake contains 9.3g of sugar.
What amount of carrots is needed for this recipe?
You will need 3 cups of freshly grated carrots, which is usually less than one pound.
What kind of oil should be used?
The recipe calls for 1 1/3 cups of vegetable oil, specifically a stable oil suitable for baking.
What type of sugar is used for the frosting?
One pound of sifted confectioners' sugar is used to make the frosting creamy and sweet.
Can I use smaller eggs?
The recipe specifies 3 extra-large eggs for the best results and consistency.
What provides the spice flavor in the cake?
The warmth and spice flavor come from the addition of 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon.
How much vanilla is used in the entire recipe?
A total of 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract is used: one for the batter and one for the frosting.
Is salt necessary in this sweet recipe?
Yes, 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt are used to balance the sweet flavors of the cake.
What kind of walnuts should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of chopped walnuts to add crunch and texture.
What tags describe this recipe?
This recipe is tagged as dessert, cupcakes, carrot cake, cream cheese frosting, and family-friendly.
How much cream cheese is required for the frosting?
You will need 3/4 lb of room temperature cream cheese.
How much butter is used in the frosting?
The frosting requires 1/2 lb of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature.