CARROT CUPCAKES from 150 Best Cupcake Recipes

Makes 12 cupcakes                                  

• 1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon (5 mL) baking soda
• 1 teaspoon (5 mL) ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) canola oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 (8-ounce/227 mL)) can crushed pineapple in juice, drained well
• 1 cup (250 mL) packed grated carrots
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) loosely packed sweetened flaked coconut*
• Cream Cheese Icing (see recipe below)

Preheat oven to 350˚F (180˚C). Line a muffin pan with paper liners.

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.

In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, oil, and eggs until smooth. Add pineapple, carrots, and coconut, beating until mixed. Add flour mixture, beating just until blended.

Scoop batter into prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven for 22 minutes or until golden brown and tops of cupcakes spring back when lightly touched. Let cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool completely on rack. Top cooled cupcakes with frosting.

NOTE: These cupcakes freeze well. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

*VARIATION: Substitute 1/2 cup (125 mL) raisins for the coconut.

CREAM CHEESE ICING

• 4 ounces (125 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• Pinch of salt
• 2 1/4 cups (550 mL) confectioner’s (icing) sugar, sifted

In a bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat together cream cheese, butter, and salt until creamy. With mixer on low speed, beat in confectioner’s sugar, 1/2 cup (125 mL) at a time so that the sugar doesn’t fly all over the place. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy.

Spread frosting over cooled cupcakes and refrigerate until ready to serve, or for up to 1 day.

NOTE: Because cream cheese is perishable, be sure to keep your frosted cupcakes refrigerated until you’re ready to eat them.

This frosting will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before using, let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes to soften enough to spread.

Recipe from NancyC | nancy-c.com