Mini Carrot Cakes with Cranberry Caramel Sauce

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a small saucepan, bring the first five ingredients to a boil over medium-low heat. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla extract. Keep warm.
• Whisk flour, pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, mix egg, sugar, oil, vanilla and orange zest until blended; add carrots. Stir flour mixture in to carrot mixture just until moistened. Fill ten greased muffin cups about half full. Bake until edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center of cakes comes out clean, about 12 minutes. Run a small knife around sides; cool on wire rack 5 minutes before removing.
• Serve warm with cranberry caramel sauce. If desired, serve with whipped cream or ice cream.