carrot cupcakes with cream cheese frosting

Desserts

Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting are moist, spiced cupcakes filled with shredded carrots (and often nuts or pineapple), topped with a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting. They’re a perfectly balanced, handheld version of the classic carrot cake!

Ingredients

3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
pinch ground nutmeg
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups finely shredded carrots (about 2 medium carrots, peeled)
1/2 cup natural applesauce
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts
4 ounces low-fat cream cheese, such as
neufchatel, at room temperature
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line 12 standard muffin cups with paper cupcake liners.
Sift together the flours, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. In a large stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the brown sugar, oil and eggs until well combined. Add the carrots, applesauce and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Stir in 1/4 cup of the chopped walnuts.
Divide the batter among the muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
With an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and lemon zest until smooth and creamy. Frost the cooled cupcakes and sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.