Carrot Cupcakes

Name: Carrot Cupcakes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 2 dozen.
Ingredients: 4 large eggs; 2 cups sugar; 1 cup canola oil; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon ground allspice; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3 cups grated carrots; CHUNKY FROSTING:; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 1/4 cup butter, softened; 2 cups confectioners' sugar; 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut; 1/2 cup chopped pecans; 1/2 cup chopped raisins

To try to get my family to eat more vegetables, I often "hide" nutritional foods inside sweet treats. The carrots add wonderful moistness to these cupcakes, which have a rich cream cheese frosting. Now we can have our cake and eat our vegetables, too! —Doreen Kelly, Rosyln, Pennsylvania

Ingredients

4 large eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup canola oil
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups grated carrots
CHUNKY FROSTING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup chopped raisins

Directions

In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar and oil. Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, allspice and salt; gradually add to egg mixture. Stir in carrots.
Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 325° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing form pans to wire racks.
For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Stir in the coconut, pecans and raisins. Frost cupcakes. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 326 calories, 18g fat (5g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 187mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.

Originally published as Carrot Cupcakes in Taste of Home December/January 2001

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Michelle

Jan 23, 2019

These cupcakes are fantastic! I left the extras (coconut, nuts, and raisins) out of the frosting, and added some vanilla. The cake is wonderful, moist and rich with great flavor. This frosting is less sweet than others I've tried, much nicer for cream cheese lovers. There was a bit too much batter for my 24 cupcakes, and the overflow was a bit of a hassle. Will just put a bit less in each next time, along with trying some whole wheat flour mixed in. Thanks to Mollyque for that hint!
Sylvia

May 11, 2017

I've made these cupcakes twice and both times they have over flowed. The second time I decreased the filling to 1/2 per cup and had the same problem. They taste great but given I was making them for a wedding, they did not look great. Won't be trying them again. Very frustrating.
dschultz01

Oct 9, 2016

These were excellent! I used fresh carrots right out of our garden, but used a different frosting recipe. The cake had a great texture and was very moist.
dklt

Apr 13, 2016

Made these to take to a tea and added just a decorative cream cheese icing "star" on the top of them- I made mine into mini muffins. This is a great recipe- I omitted the raisins.
Mzladyj01

Sep 20, 2015

OMG....I don't like carrot cake but it's my husbands favorite so I made these for him last night. I followed the directions as written but omitted the all spice and raisins and I must say these cupcakes taste GREAT!!! My daughter even likes them and she hates carrots. I will be adding this to my recipe collection.
chickenladybug

Mar 21, 2015

QUESTIONI live in Ct and my boyfriend just moved to La, is it possible for me to overnight these cupcakes to him if I wrap them tightly without frosting them? My biggest concern would be the best part, the cream cheese frosting.! Can that be mailed and still stay safe to eat in 24 hrs of shipping ?
DD30

Mar 15, 2015

Can the recipe be made as a cake?
SharonWaldrop

Nov 26, 2014

I have been making these cupcakes since the recipe was published in TOH almost 15 years ago. They are the best carrot cupcakes I have ever tasted, and I have had many. I was asked to bring a dessert to share Thanksgiving evening and I have no doubt these will be a hit.
delowenstein

Dec 1, 2013

This recipe IS a great one to use! I believe I'd prepared the icing called for in this recipe! I would definitely use this recipe again. Thank you, Doreen Kelly, for sharing this recipe with Tate of Home! delowenstein
KayeChan76

May 17, 2013

Great recipe! Fairly easy to make, and the results were amazing! I didn't have all spice handy so skipped it. I also reduced the amount of sugar in the frosting. My family loved it :)