Description
Ina Garten’s carrot cupcakes merge classic comfort with gourmet elegance, blending warm spices and rich cream cheese frosting. Bakers can create these delectable treats that balance sweetness and complexity with remarkable ease.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups grated carrots (less than 1 lb / 1.36 kg)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (480 ml)
- 2 cups sugar (480 ml)
- 1 ⅓ cups vegetable oil (320 ml)
- 3 extra-large eggs
- 1 cup raisins (240 ml)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (240 ml)
- 2 tsps baking soda
- 1 ½ tsps kosher salt
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ¾ lb cream cheese, at room temperature (340 g)
- ½ lb unsalted butter, at room temperature (227 g)
- 1 lb confectioners’ sugar (454 g)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tsps ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preparation: Calibrate oven to 400°F (204°C) and arrange paper liners in muffin tins.
- Wet Mixture: Utilize electric mixer to harmonize granulated sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract into a smooth emulsion.
- Egg Integration: Methodically incorporate eggs into sugar mixture, whipping until batter achieves light, airy consistency.
- Dry Ingredient Composition: Sift ground cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and flour together, ensuring homogeneous distribution.
- Batter Fusion: Delicately fold dry ingredients into wet mixture using low-speed technique, eliminating potential flour clusters.
- Ingredient Incorporation: Gently fold grated carrots, chopped walnuts, and raisins throughout batter, guaranteeing even dispersion.
- Baking Process: Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (177°C), fill muffin cups 3/4 full, and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes.
- Doneness Verification: Insert toothpick into cupcake center; a clean extraction indicates perfect baking.
- Cooling Technique: Transfer cupcakes to wire rack, allowing complete temperature reduction.
- Frosting Creation: Whip cream cheese, unsalted butter, and vanilla extract until achieving silky, luxurious texture.
- Final Assembly: Generously spread cream cheese frosting across cooled cupcake surfaces, creating elegant, decadent finish.
Notes
- Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for ingredients to ensure consistent texture and taste.
- Temperature Control: Start at 400°F, then reduce to 350°F for even baking and perfect golden-brown cupcakes.
- Mixing Technique: Fold ingredients gently to maintain air bubbles and prevent dense, heavy cupcakes.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and maintain frosting structure.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg