Carrot Cake Cupcakes!
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Light & moist carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, and chopped walnuts!
Vegetable bakes
I must admit, these cupcakes are utterly delicious and amazing for a cake that is based on a vegetable. I realise that carrot cake is essentially a ‘classic’ cake these days, but with the growing popularity of vegetable cakes in recent years, like my chocolate courgette loaf cake, it’s nice to not forget a good’un. This recipe shows that this carrot cupcake bake isn’t just for an old fashioned tea room or at your grandparent’s house on Sunday afternoon but for all occasions.
If I’m being honest, I used to think it was icky when I was younger, why would you want vegetables in a cake?! But my young naivety has disappeared, and I now realise how amazing it is. Vegetables in cakes are ingenious and epic, and as I have mentioned in the blog before this has to be one of my favourite cakes around, it’s probably #1.
Carrot cake recipes
If you love these cupcakes as much as I do, I also have a carrot cake recipe, or even a gluten free carrot cake! I have endless carrot cake related posts on here that you won’t get bored if you like it as much as I do. I even have a carrot cake cheesecake that is SO GOOD! Literally… can someone be too obsessed?!
Whether you’re baking for Easter, a cosy afternoon treat, or just because you fancy something sweet, there’s a carrot cake recipe for every occasion on the blog. Recipe updated May 2020 – This recipe has been updated as it’s been on my blog for over five years now, and it needed it. I will put the original recipe below, but this newer and updated version is definitely better.
Carrots
When grating the carrots, the consistency of the carrot is key. You don’t want too big chunks that look more at home in a stew, but you don’t want the tiny grating – like parmesan cheese as this will melt away into the bake and take the flavour with it. You want a standard grated carrot, plenty of carrot flavour, even moisture, and a lovely texture that blends right into the sponge.
The magic of carrot cake lies in how the carrots keep everything beautifully moist. Even after a few days in the fridge, the cupcakes stay soft and fresh instead of drying out. That natural sweetness from the carrots also means you don’t need heaps of sugar, making them just the right level of indulgent. Honestly, it’s one of the reasons carrot cake has become such a firm favourite for me.
The cupcake base
The cupcake is utterly delicious and packed FULL of flavour thanks to the spices, but is so incredibly light that sometimes I worry that the icing might weigh it down. However, the addition of cream cheese frosting works beautifully. Both are equally are light and delicious and beyond yummy, the perfect combination.
I like to keep the cupcake mix plain, but you can easily add chopped walnuts or pecans to the cake mixture for a bit of crunch, or throw in some raisins for a more traditional twist. The base mix stays the same, and it’s so forgiving that you can make it your own without fear. Whether you keep them simple or load them up, they’ll turn out delicious every single time.
Cream cheese frosting
With these delicious cupcakes, I just adore how light they are, and yet so moreish. I honestly can’t stop repeating myself! They are incredibly easy to make, and for the actual sponges, you don’t want to use a mixer! You just want a bowl and a spatula. However, for the frosting – I find using my stand mixer with the beat attachment the best.
If you want more information on the cream cheese frosting – I advise looking at the blog post I’ve done! It’s a full-on in detail post about cream cheese frosting, why it can sometimes go wrong, and so on! It’s dreamy once you get it right though and it’s the best. You can see from these photos how perfect they are.
Piping tips and decorating
When it comes to decorating, I always reach for my 2D closed star piping tip, it gives the prettiest swirls every time. A generous swirl of frosting topped with a few chopped walnuts instantly makes them look bakery-perfect, and it’s so simple to do. You can even add a little carrot decoration or sprinkle of cinnamon for a cute finishing touch.
Because they’re not overly sweet, they’re a great option for people who don’t love super sugary bakes. The gentle spice, soft sponge, and tangy cream cheese frosting make them incredibly moreish without being heavy. I also love gifting these to friends or family, they travel well, look beautiful, and always get rave reviews. If there’s ever a bake I’m confident taking somewhere, it’s these.
Tips and tricks
- These cupcakes will last for 3 days, in the fridge.
- You can add 100g of walnuts or raisins to the cupcake mix.
- I use a 2D closed star piping tip to decorate.
- The original recipe was:
- 125g light brown sugar, 175g self raising flour, 1 1/2 tsp mixed spice, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda, 1 large egg, 115ml sunflower oil, 175g grated carrots
- 150g unsalted butter, room temperature, 300g icing sugar
Carrot Cake Cupcakes!
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 125 ml sunflower oil
- 2 medium eggs (or large)
- 175 g grated carrots
- 125 g light brown sugar
- 175 g self raising flour
- 1.5 tsps mixed spice
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 150 g unsalted butter (room temp)
- 150 g icing sugar
- 300 g full fat cream cheese (cold)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Decoration
- chopped walnuts
- carrot decorations
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Heat oven to 180ºc/160ºc fan, and line a muffin tray with 12 cupcake/muffin cases, or use 12 cupcake cases on a flat tray!
- Grate your carrots (peel first and chop the ends off), and leave to the side. You need 175g of grated carrot to be the weight at the end.
- Whisk together the sunflower oil and eggs.
- Add in the grated carrots and sugar, and mix again.
- Add in the flour, mixed spice, ground ginger, and cinnamon, and bicarbonate of soda!
- Try not to over mix it - I use a large glass bowl with a spatula.
- Split the mixture between the 12 cupcake cases, and bake in the oven for 20-22 minutes!
Cream Cheese Frosting
- Beat your butter on its own for a few minutes to loosen it.
- Add in the icing sugar, and beat again - I beat this for about 5 minutes, to make it really smooth.
- Make sure your cream cheese doesn't have any excess water - I find it best to add it to a bowl first just to make sure.
- Add in the cream cheese, and vanilla and beat. At first, it may look a little weird, but just keep on beating. I end up beating it for a few minutes - it can go through a lumpy stage first, but eventually, the lumps beat out and it's smooth and thick!
- Once beaten - it should be lovely and thick.
Decoration
- Get your favourite piping tip - I use a 2D closed star piping tip!
- Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes.
- Sprinkle over some chopped walnuts, and a carrot decoration!
Notes
- These cupcakes will last for 3 days, in the fridge.
- You can add 100g of walnuts or raisins to the cupcake mix.
- I use a 2D closed star piping tip to decorate!
- The original recipe was:
- 125g light brown sugar, 175g self raising flour, 1 1/2 tsp mixed spice, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda, 1 large egg, 115ml sunflower oOil, 175g grated carrots
- 150g unsalted Butter, room temperature, 300g icing sugar
Is it possible to use gluten free self raising flower to make these gluten free? Thanks!
Yes that would be fine (obviously double check all other ingredients as well) x
All of your recipes are fantastic! I was wondering if I wanted to make these as muffins instead of cupcakes, can I just double up the mixture or would it be specific measurements?
Thank you!
It would depend on the muffin cases you are using, but I would probably say you would only need another half of the recipe! x
Would love to make these but have someone who can’t eat eggs to cater for, any suggestions on how to adapt?
I would use a standard egg replacement such as mashed banana, flaxseed, or anything! It’s worth a google as there’s many methods x
Gonna attempt this just to get the cream cheese correct, is the mixed spice really necessary?
It’s a delicious flavour and it’s in the recipe for a reason, so without it changes the flavour is all.
I absolutely love these and so did everyone who ate them. I’ve never made these with cream cheese frosting before but will definitely be doing it again. So scrumptious.
Hi, if I wanted to bake this recipe but as a single 8″ round cake (just one layer), how long do you think I should bake it? xx
I would imagine about 35 minutes if you based it around my layer cake version! X
Cupcakes look delicious. I’m wanting to attempt this recipe but I’d like to make a smaller batch of 6. Please can you tell me how to scale the recipe down. Thanks in advance 🙂
Literally just half everything to the nearest gram – I’ve done it before and it works!
Hi Jane,
I am planning on making these cakes along with some others for a tea party for my mum! Would these cakes be OK to make in advance and then freeze a week before? Obviously minus the frosting/decoration.
Thanks.
Hey!! Yes the sponges will freeze well xx
Hi Jane, I was thinking about adding walnuts to the mixture but at what point would I add this in? Also how many grams of chopped up walnuts would be suitable for this recipe?
I’m also struggling to get a hold of baking cups atm. Would muffin liners work okay with this amount of mixture (should I be filling two thirds of the case full or halfway?)
Thank you in advance 😁
I would add them in with the flour ingredients, and maybe 75-100g! Muffin cases can work, but the baking times is based on 12 cupcakes so split the mixture the same and it should be okay! X
Looks so good! I’m going to do this a birthday. I can’t get any light brown sugar at the moment but have dark brown
Sugar, can I use this?
Thank you
Yes you can!!
I haven’t been able to get any icing sugar so have bought ready made buttercream. Will that be ok and how much cream cheese should I add please.
Hiya – I’m afraid I have no idea! I’m not a fan of ready made buttercream, and it tends to be a lot softer!
oh dear I had better keep looking for icing sugar then
Beautiful!
I going for buttercream Frosting instead of cream cheese. Can you add almond extract to the frosting as-well as vanilla or would you only recommend using the one?
Yes you definitely could use both if you like both!!
I’m going to attempt these for my husbands birthday. I’d like to add walnuts and raisins to the cake mix how much should I add please. I wasn’t sure if I should just follow the big cake recipe.
Hey! I would add about 60g of each!
Hi Jane,
Could I make these in the tin you spoke about for your mini Victoria sponges?
Thanks!
Yes!! x
Literally the best cupcakes, I ended up making 18 and sharing the love with our neighbours and they all had some lovely compliments!
My first time making cream cheese so theres some learnings but this recipe is so easy and so incredible!
Thank you! 🙂