This delicious Ina Garten Carrot Cake Cupcakes recipe is prepared using grated carrots, sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and all-purpose flour. This moist carrot cake cupcake recipe is a dessert that takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 24 people.
Ina Garten Carrot Cake Cupcakes Ingredients
- 3 cups grated carrots (less than 1 pound)
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 1/3 cups vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 extra-large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients
- 3/4 pound cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 pound confectioners’ sugar
How To Make Ina Garten Carrot Cake Cupcakes
- Preheat Your Oven: Start by setting your oven to 400°F (200°C) so it can heat up while you prepare the batter.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of sugar, 1 1/3 cups of vegetable oil, and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Add the 3 extra-large eggs one at a time, making sure to mix well after adding each egg.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, thoroughly mix 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons of baking soda, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt. Gradually add half of this dry mixture to your bowl of wet ingredients, blending it all together until smooth.
- Add Carrots & Nuts: Take the remaining half of the dry mixture and mix it with 3 cups of grated carrots, 1 cup of raisins, and 1 cup of chopped walnuts. Then, combine this with the wet ingredients, ensuring everything is well incorporated.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Line your muffin tray with paper liners. Pour the batter into each liner, filling them about three-quarters full to give them room to rise.
- Bake: Place the tray in the oven and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for an additional 30-35 minutes. To check if they’re done, insert a toothpick into the center of a cupcake – if it comes out clean, they’re ready. Let the cupcakes cool completely.
- Make Cream Cheese Frosting: While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a bowl, mix 3/4 pound of room-temperature cream cheese, 1/2 pound of room-temperature unsalted butter, and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Gradually add 1 pound of confectioners’ sugar, mixing until you achieve a creamy consistency.
- Decorate & Serve: Once the cupcakes are completely cool, generously spread the cream cheese frosting on top of each one. Your delicious carrot cake cupcakes are now ready to be enjoyed!
Recipe Tips
- Add some zest: For an extra citrusy flavor, add a teaspoon of orange zest to the batter. It complements the sweetness of the carrots beautifully.
- Use fresh carrots: Grate the carrots yourself instead of using pre-shredded ones. Freshly grated carrots are moister and have a better texture.
- Soak raisins: Soak the raisins in warm water for about 10 minutes before adding them to the batter. This will plump them up and make them juicier.
- Room temperature ingredients: Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before mixing. This ensures they blend together smoothly and evenly.
- Extra nutty flavor: Toast the chopped walnuts before adding them to the batter. This enhances their flavor and adds a nice crunch to the cupcakes.
What To Serve With Carrot Cake Cupcakes
Serve your delicious carrot cake cupcakes with a refreshing lemon sorbet, a mixed berry salad, a light vanilla bean ice cream, a tangy passion fruit mousse, and a spiced chai latte.
You can also pair them with a citrus-infused iced tea or a pomegranate spritzer for a delightful finish.
How To Store Carrot Cake Cupcakes
To Refrigerate: Place the carrot cake cupcakes in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days if properly sealed to prevent them from drying out.
To Freeze: You can freeze the carrot cake cupcakes without frosting by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. They will keep for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I substitute the raisins with another ingredient?
Yes, you can substitute the raisins with dried cranberries or chopped dates. These alternatives provide a similar texture and sweetness. Ensure the substitute is finely chopped to distribute evenly in the batter.
How do I prevent the cupcakes from sticking to the liners?
To prevent cupcakes from sticking, use high-quality paper liners and spray them lightly with non-stick spray. This method helps the cupcakes release easily and maintains their shape when removed from the liners.
How do I know when the cupcakes are fully baked?
To check if the cupcakes are fully baked, insert a toothpick into the center of the cupcake. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, the cupcakes are done. Avoid overbaking to keep them moist and tender.
Ina Garten Carrot Cake Cupcakes Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 of 22 servings
- Calories: 513
- Total Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Dietary Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 44 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 66 mg
- Sodium: 291 mg
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Ina Garten Carrot Cake Cupcakes
Description
This delicious Ina Garten Carrot Cake Cupcakes recipe is prepared using grated carrots, sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and all-purpose flour. This moist carrot cake cupcake recipe is a dessert that takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 24 people.
Ina Garten Carrot Cake Cupcakes Ingredients:
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:
How To Make Ina Garten Carrot Cake Cupcakes
- Preheat Your Oven: Start by setting your oven to 400°F (200°C) so it can heat up while you prepare the batter.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of sugar, 1 1/3 cups of vegetable oil, and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Add the 3 extra-large eggs one at a time, making sure to mix well after adding each egg.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, thoroughly mix 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons of baking soda, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt. Gradually add half of this dry mixture to your bowl of wet ingredients, blending it all together until smooth.
- Add Carrots & Nuts: Take the remaining half of the dry mixture and mix it with 3 cups of grated carrots, 1 cup of raisins, and 1 cup of chopped walnuts. Then, combine this with the wet ingredients, ensuring everything is well incorporated.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Line your muffin tray with paper liners. Pour the batter into each liner, filling them about three-quarters full to give them room to rise.
- Bake: Place the tray in the oven and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for an additional 30-35 minutes. To check if they’re done, insert a toothpick into the center of a cupcake – if it comes out clean, they’re ready. Let the cupcakes cool completely.
- Make Cream Cheese Frosting: While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a bowl, mix 3/4 pound of room-temperature cream cheese, 1/2 pound of room-temperature unsalted butter, and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Gradually add 1 pound of confectioners’ sugar, mixing until you achieve a creamy consistency.
- Decorate & Serve: Once the cupcakes are completely cool, generously spread the cream cheese frosting on top of each one. Your delicious carrot cake cupcakes are now ready to be enjoyed!