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The BEST Carrot Cake Cupcakes

April 18, 2018 by thedomesticrebel | Leave a Comment

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carrot cake cupcakes arranged on a wooden cake stand If you are on the hunt for the best carrot cake recipe, look no more! TheseĀ Carrot Cake Cupcakes are the BEST I’ve tried – moist and fluffy with a tender crumb and PACKED with delicious spiced flavor!

Is it springtime yet where you live?

I know half of the country is under a mountain of snow, but here in Northern California, spring has pretty much arrived. With the rogue rainy day – including a thunderstorm on Sunday – it’s pretty sunny and gorgeous out. And maybe it’s me, but my allergies aren’t even acting up! I am feeling #blessed for sure.

I had all intentions of posting these cupcakes before Easter because carrot cake and Easter are kind of synonymous. BUT I slipped and fell off of the baking (and blogging) bandwagon and am only recently getting back on the saddle (sorry, so many idioms). To be honest, things have been crazy in my personal life. Our family dog, Winston, is not doing well – he has weekly acupuncture appointments because he messed up some of the discs in his back. And my best friend turned out to be a cruel beyotch, so I guess I’ve been stressed out and not baking.

So between crying jags of sadness and frustration over my furry four-legged brother being ill and feeling betrayed by my former bestie, I’ve just been eating copious amounts of Panera Bread and trying to forget. And I also have been like, super braindead with recipe ideas which never happens.

But now I’m back and ready to continue our committed relationship. Hopefully you’ve missed me? I’ve missed me! < sorry, so emo.

ANYWAY. TheseĀ Carrot Cake Cupcakes truly are the *BEST* ever. Now if you’ve read my blog longer than a minute, you know carrot cake isĀ not my favorite. HOWEVER – once I made my Best Carrot Cake recipe, I was a changed woman. Can I eat a whole pan of cake? No… but that recipe did change my tune about my aforementioned least favorite cake flavor.

carrot cake cupcake cut in half to show center

carrot cake cupcake next to an orange flowerIf you love carrot cake, you have GOT to try this recipe! These are perfect for a springtime brunch or get-together. They’re moist, fluffy and have a perfectly tender crumb with a gorgeous mountain of cream cheese frosting on top. My carrot cake recipes have crushed pineapple and chopped pecans in the batter, but feel free to add or omit certain add-ins to suit your tastes (add in raisins or coconut, omit pecans, etc).

aerial view of carrot cake cupcakes on wooden cake stand next to faux carrotBut if you must ask, yes, cake – even carrot cake cupcakes – make stressful weeks a whole lot better.

carrot cake cupcake in a cupcake liner with illustrated carrots on it

These are the BEST Carrot Cake Cupcakes EVER! Moist, fluffy, with a tender crumb and a perfectly spiced cake studded with fresh carrots, juicy pineapple, and crunchy pecans, then topped with a mountainous swirl of luscious cream cheese frosting! You don't need any other recipe for carrot cake!
Print Recipe

The BEST Carrot Cake Cupcakes

These Carrot Cake Cupcakes are the BEST I've ever tried! The cake itself is soft, moist and fluffy with a tender crumb and packed with amazing spiced flavor. Topped with a cream cheese icing, it's totally perfect!
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time23 mins
Total Time38 mins
Course: Cakes/Cupcakes, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Dessert
Servings: 24 -26
Author: Hayley Parker, The Domestic Rebel

Ingredients

  • FOR THE CUPCAKES:
  • 8 ounces (One 8 ounce can) crushed pineapple drained
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable or canola oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 2 cups finely shredded carrots
  • FOR THE FROSTING:
  • 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp) salted butter softened
  • 8 ounces (One 8 ounce package) cream cheese softened
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 3½-4 confectioners' sugar
  • Halved pecans for decoration optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 muffin tins with 24 paper liners. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the crushed pineapple and eggs until combined. Add in the granulated and brown sugars and mix until combined. Slowly mix in the oil and vanilla extract. Add in the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves and beat until just incorporated and no flour remains (scrape the bottom of the bowl). Lastly, fold in the chopped pecans and shredded carrots until combined.
  • Portion the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling about 2/3 - 3/4ths full. Bake for 18-23 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with moist - not wet - crumbs. Cool completely.
  • To make the frosting: Cream together the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until creamy, 2 minutes. Gradually add in the confectioners' sugar, alternating with the heavy cream until frosting is light and fluffy with soft peaks.
  • Pipe or spread the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes. Garnish with a pecan half, if using. Store cupcakes covered in the fridge.

aerial view of carrot cake cupcake cut in half next to an orange flowerMoist, fluffy, tender and perfectly spiced cupcakes that taste like HEAVEN!

the best carrot cake cupcakes collage

Have a super sweet day!

xo, Hayley

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About me

Welcome to The Domestic Rebel! My name is Hayley and I am the 31-year old writer, photographer, recipe developer, taste-tester and creator of this blog. I’m so glad you’ve stopped by my little slice of sprinkly, butter-laden heaven on the interwebs. If it wasn’t apparent, I like to bake… a lot. Read More…

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