Discover the ultimate carrot cupcake delight featuring crushed pineapple and a harmonious mix of spices, crowned with an irresistible four-ingredient cream cheese frosting.

INGREDIENTS

CARROT CAKE CUPCAKES

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
2 large eggs room temperature
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed light brown sugar
½ cup vegetable oil or canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (8.25 ounce) crushed pineapple (do not drain)
1 ½ cups peeled and finely grated carrots
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3½ –4 cups powdered sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a standard 12-count muffin tin with paper liners.

Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger in a medium bowl. Set that aside for a few minutes.

Beat the eggs, sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl. Stir in the oil, vanilla, pineapple, carrots, and, if desired, walnuts.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined and evenly moistened. Fill the cupcake liners about four-fifths of the way up with batter.

Bake for 25-27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Cool the cupcakes completely on wire racks before frosting them.

Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a handheld mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla extract and beat just until incorporated. Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat on medium until the frosting is creamy. Add enough powdered to make it thick enough to pipe.

Spoon the frosting into a piping bag and pipe it on the cupcakes after they are completely cool. If desired, sprinkle with chopped walnuts.

NOTES

This is a small batch recipe that makes 12 cupcakes.

Always preheat the oven and load the cupcakes on the middle rack in the center of the oven.

For best results, use cupcake liners so they don’t stick.

Peel your carrots first and use an old-fashioned box grater to grate the carrots. It is really a matter of preference what size grate you would like to use. With cupcakes, I use the small grater blade.

Other nuts that you might consider substituting or adding include pecans, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios, or macadamia nuts. If you don’t like nuts try raisins.

Plan in advance and soften the cream cheese and butter for the frosting.

If you chose not to pipe on the frosting, then cut the frosting ingredients in half. You will not need that much if frosting the cupcakes with a knife.

Store the cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.