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Carrot Cupcakes

17/11/2023

Carrot cupcakes are a delicious treat, perfect for a snack or as a dessert after a meal. I can provide you with a classic version and then, if you like, suggest an Italian twist. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

  • 200 g of all-purpose flour
  • 150 g of brown sugar
  • 180 g of finely grated carrots
  • 2 eggs
  • 120 ml of sunflower seed oil
  • 1/2 packet of baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional)

For the frosting:

  • 200 g of spreadable cheese (like Philadelphia)
  • 100 g of powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional)

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C and prepare a cupcake tray by lining the molds with paper liners.
  2. In a bowl, mix the flour with the baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until the mixture is fluffy and frothy.
  4. Gradually add the oil, continuing to stir.
  5. Fold in the grated carrots and vanilla extract if you are using it.
  6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ones, mixing with a spatula until the mixture is uniform without overworking it.
  7. Fill the paper liners to about 2/3 of their capacity with the batter.
  8. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
  9. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before proceeding with the frosting.

For the frosting:

  1. Whip the spreadable cheese with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and even.
  2. Use a piping bag with the decoration tip of your choice to decorate the now cooled cupcakes.
  3. Garnish as desired with chopped nuts, pieces of candied carrot, or lemon zest.

Curiosity

Cupcakes have Anglo-Saxon origins, but the idea of pairing carrot with sweet recipes has spread because during World War II, sugars were rationed and carrots, with their high natural sugar content, were a more accessible alternative for sweetening foods.

If you want to add an Italian touch, you might finish your cupcakes with a dusting of unsweetened cocoa or add toasted and chopped hazelnuts to the batter for a crunchy contrast. Alternatively, give a citrus note by replacing the cinnamon with the grated zest of an orange. Cooking is always a matter of experimentation and personal taste!

Carrot Cupcakes