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carrot cake cupcakes

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Carrot cake cupcakes feature carrots, pecans, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, Greek yogurt, and vanilla bean paste. Tender cupcakes are topped with dark chocolate frosting. Garnished with buttercream carrots.
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 1 hr
Total Time 1 hr 30 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 18

Equipment

  • 2 (12 cup) muffin pans

Ingredients
  

Carrot Cake Cupcakes:

  • 400 grams raw peeled orange carrots, roughly chopped
  • 120 grams chopped pecans (1 cup)
  • 175 grams light brown sugar (3/4 cup)
  • 100 grams granulated sugar (1/2 cup)
  • 225 grams all-purpose flour (1-2/3 cups)
  • 5 grams baking powder (1 teaspoon)
  • 5 grams baking soda (1 teaspoon)
  • 4 grams ground cinnamon (1-1/2 teaspoons)
  • 120 grams vegetable oil (1/2 cup)
  • 70 grams Greek yogurt (1/4 cup)
  • 100 grams egg (2 large), lightly beaten
  • 10 grams vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract (2 teaspoons)

Chocolate Buttercream:

  • 170 grams chopped dark chocolate or semisweet chocolate chips (6 ounces)
  • 113 grams unsalted butter (1 stick OR 1/2 cup), softened
  • 1 grams sea salt (1/4 teaspoon)
  • 250 grams powdered sugar (2 cups), sifted
  • 10 grams vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract (2 teaspoons)
  • 30 grams heavy cream or milk (2 tablespoons)

Orange Buttercream:

  • 56 grams unsalted butter (1/2 stick OR 1/4 cup), softened
  • 125 grams powdered sugar (1 cup), sifted
  • 5 grams vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
  • 15 grams frozen orange concentrate, orange puree, or orange juice (1 tablespoon)
  • 1 drop orange food coloring gel
  • 1 drop orange extract (optional)

Green Buttercream:

  • 56 grams unsalted butter (1/2 stick OR 1/4 cup), softened
  • 125 grams powdered sugar (1 cup), sifted
  • 5 grams vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
  • 15 grams heavy cream or milk (1 tablespoon)
  • 1 drop green food coloring gel

Instructions
 

Carrot Cake Cupcakes:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two (12 cavity) cupcake tins with 18 paper cupcake liners.
  • Add roughly chopped carrots to food processor and pulse until very finely chopped. Add pecans and pulse until well combined. Set aside.
  • Add light brown sugar, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and ground cinnamon to medium mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.
  • Add carrot mixture to flour mixture and stir to combine.
  • Add vegetable oil, Greek yogurt, lightly beaten eggs and vanilla bean paste to small mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.
  • Add egg mixture to carrot/flour mixture. Fold together with spatula until smooth.
  • Divide cake batter evenly between prepared muffin pans. Bake 22 minutes, or until the cupcakes are firm to the touch, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Remove pans from oven and place on wire rack for several minutes. Remove cupcakes from pans and cool completely before decorating.

Chocolate Buttercream:

  • Add the dark chocolate chunks to a microwavable bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds. Stir and microwave for 10 seconds. Repeat until smooth and completely smooth. Set aside to cool.
  • Add softened unsalted butter to stand mixer. Beat on medium speed for 5 minutes.
  • Add sea salt and 1 cup sifted powdered sugar and beat on low until incorporated.
  • Add melted chocolate and beat on low until smooth and creamy.
  • Add remaining powdered sugar and heavy cream. Beat on low to incorporate. Increase speed to medium and beat for 5 minutes.

Orange Buttercream:

  • Add unsalted butter to stand mixer. Beat on medium for 5 minutes.
  • Add sifted powdered sugar, vanilla bean paste, frozen orange concentrate, orange food gel, and orange extract to stand mixer. Beat on low to incorporate. Increase speed to medium and beat for 5 minutes.

Green Buttercream:

  • Add unsalted butter to stand mixer. Beat on medium for 5 minutes.
  • Add sifted powdered sugar, vanilla bean paste, heavy cream and green food gel to stand mixer. Beat on low to incorporate. Increase speed to medium and beat for 5 minutes.
Keyword carrot cake, carrot cake cupcakes, chocolate buttercream, chocolate frosting