Carrot Cake Cupcakes Recipe (2024)

  • Cupcakes
  • Baking
  • Carrots
  • Easter

These are hands down the best carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting you'll ever find. They're moist without being dense and have just the right amount of spice. Add nuts or leave them out—it's up to you!

By

Garrett McCord

Carrot Cake Cupcakes Recipe (1)

Garrett McCord

Garrett has been writing about food and sharing recipes for 15 years. He is the author of Melt: The Art of Macaroni and Cheese.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated March 20, 2023

Carrot Cake Cupcakes Recipe (2)

16 ratings

Carrot Cake Cupcakes Recipe (3)

12 Desserts for Your Easter TableFEATURED IN:

I find that you can tell a lot about someone based on the type of carrot cake they make. I find that those who enjoy pineapple and coconut in their carrot cake are a bit more flamboyant and unpredictable than the average baker and, likely, have a tiki shirt in their closet.

Those who prefer heavy amount of cloves and raisins are traditionalists; they have a penchant for nostalgia and reminiscing over the fragrant and fruity carrot cakes that encapsulate their childhood.

Others prefer orange juice—modernizing the classics and stirring up co*cktails to pair with them.

Carrot Cake Cupcakes Recipe (4)

My Favorite: Carrot Cake Cupcakes

I like to see myself as inventive, strange, and maybe even quirky—my carrot cake is a carrot cupcake (I like to think I'm a wee bit adorable, too). Toasted walnuts add a certain bittersweet and earthy taste to the cupcakes. Cinnamon and a good dose of cardamom give it a faraway newness, which is only made more intriguing with the floral and citrusy finish from the orange zest.

Dolloped with some cream cheese frosting, it's a carrot cupcake that emulates old times from way back when with a bit of a contemporary twist. A funky cupcake that anyone's personality can appreciate.

So then, what does your carrot (cup)cake say about you?

Variations and Substitutions

So many of you have made this recipe over the years and shared with us your versions! Here are a few favorites that everyone should try:

  • Don't like nuts? Skip them!
  • Don't like cream cheese frosting? Make regular buttercream!
  • Don't have (or like) cardamom? Leave it out, or add extra cinnamon.
  • Add some raisins—rehydrate them in some water before mixing them into the batter.
  • Add a half cup of toasted shredded coconut, or sprinkle some over the tops.
  • Add a splash of Grand Marnier to the batter, the frosting, or both!

Carrot Cake Cupcakes Recipe (5)

How to Store Carrot Cake Cupcakes

The cupcakes can be baked (but left unfrosted) for a day or two before you plan to serve them. Wait to top with frosting until the day you plan to serve them, and then serve within a few hours.

Leftover frosted cupcakes should be refrigerated and will keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Let them come to room temperature before enjoying.

Love Carrot Cake? Try These Recipes!

  • Carrot Cake
  • Apple Carrot Cake
  • Zucchini Bread
  • Chocolate Zucchini Cake
  • Grandma's Zucchini Cake

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time40 mins

Servings24 servings

Yield24to 30 cupcakes

If you don't have buttermilk, add a teaspoon of lemon juice to regular milk and allow to stand for 10 minutes.

Ingredients

For the carrot cake cupcakes

  • 1 cup (100g) chopped walnuts

  • 2 cups (400g) sugar

  • 3 large eggs

  • 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil

  • 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk

  • 1 tablespoon orange zest (about 1 large orange)

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 pound (450g) carrots, grated (about 3 1/2 cups)

  • 3 cups (400g) all-purpose flour

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom

For the cream cheese frosting

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

  • 16 ounces Philadelphia cream cheese

  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Method

  1. Toast the walnuts and prepare the pans:

    Preheat the oven to 350°F. Toast the walnuts in the oven for 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

    Line 2 standard muffin/cupcake pans with liners.

    How to Toast WalnutsREAD MORE:
  2. Mix the wet ingredients and carrots:

    Combine the sugar, eggs, oil, buttermilk, orange zest, and vanilla together in a bowl and whisk thoroughly. Stir in the grated carrots.

  3. Mix the dry ingredients:

    In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cardamom.

  4. Fold together and add the nuts:

    Fold the flour mixture into the carrot mixture until combined, being sure not to over-mix. Fold in the toasted walnuts until evenly incorporated.

  5. Bake:

    Scoop the batter into cupcake papers, filling them about 1/2 to 3/4 full. Bake at 350°F until a toothpick inserted in the center of a few cupcakes comes out clean or with a few crumbs, 19 to 21 minutes, rotating the pan after the first 15 minutes of baking.

    Cool for 5 minutes before taking the cupcakes out of the cupcake tin and allowing them to fully cool on a wire rack.

  6. Make the frosting:

    Beat the cream cheese and butter on medium speed until well combined. Sift in the powdered sugar and mix until creamy. Spread or pipe onto cooled cupcakes.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
422Calories
27g Fat
42g Carbs
5g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 24
Amount per serving
Calories422
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 27g35%
Saturated Fat 10g49%
Cholesterol 63mg21%
Sodium 236mg10%
Total Carbohydrate 42g15%
Dietary Fiber 1g5%
Total Sugars 27g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 1mg6%
Calcium 67mg5%
Iron 1mg6%
Potassium 126mg3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Carrot Cake Cupcakes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do carrot cake cupcakes need to be refrigerated? ›

It's best to store the cupcakes in an air-tight container in the fridge, but remove them for a few hours before serving. It's also best to frost right before serving. If the frosted cupcakes are refrigerated, it's fine--just let them sit out at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving.

Why is my carrot cake mushy? ›

If you add too many mix-ins, you can dull the spicy flavor of the cinnamon and the nutmeg, or if you add wet ingredients like pineapple, your cake will come out too soggy and fall apart.

Does carrot cake taste better cold? ›

Some cakes are just better cold. Especially carrot cake. I've made the Cold Carrot Cake from Alison Roman's new book, Sweet Enough, twice. (It has dates instead of raisins, and sour cream makes the crumb dense and moist like sticky pudding.)

Does carrot cake need raisins? ›

If you're making the carrot cake and start to second-guess the number of carrots called for in our recipe, don't. You need all three cups. It is a carrot cake, after all. Pecans and Raisins: These add texture, but they are optional.

Does carrot cake with cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated? ›

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises refrigerating any food made with cream cheese after 2 hours (that includes time spent making the food). The same typically goes for frostings made with other perishable foods such as.

Do carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated? ›

In short, yes, cream cheese frosting needs to be refrigerated. This food safety rule applies to both cream cheese frosting in a bowl and any baked good that might have cream cheese frosting, such as a red velvet cupcake or a carrot cake bundt cake.

Is oil or butter better for carrot cake? ›

Oil-Based Cakes: Carrot cake recipes often use vegetable oil (e.g., canola or sunflower oil) instead of butter as the primary fat. Oil-based cakes tend to be moister and have a softer, more tender crumb. The mild flavor of vegetable oil also allows the carrot and spice flavors to shine through.

Can I use store bought shredded carrots for carrot cake? ›

Do not use packaged pre-shredded carrots because they are hard and dry. You need about 4 large carrots for this recipe. And when you grate them, you'll notice how wet they are. That is PRIME moisture for your baked cake and you don't want to skip it!

Why does carrot cake taste weird? ›

There are a few reasons why your carrot cake might taste bitter. Too much baking soda: Baking soda is a leavening agent that helps to make cakes rise. However, too much baking soda can give a cake a bitter taste. If you are using a recipe that calls for baking soda, be sure to measure it carefully.

Why does my carrot cake not taste like carrot cake? ›

Seriously though, if using only natural carrots, it is hard to get a significant carroty taste in a cake, mainly because 1) carrots don't have a very strong taste, 2) some of the taste is lost with cooking, and 3) the native texture and taste of a cake overwhelm whatever taste is remaining in the carrots.

What compliments carrot cake? ›

Cream cheese frosting is a classic and delicious pairing for carrot cake, complementing its sweet and spiced flavors. Additionally, a cup of hot tea or a scoop of vanilla ice cream can be great accompaniments to enhance the overall dessert experience.

What is the green stuff in carrot cake? ›

*PLEASE peel your carrots before you grate them — otherwise, the peels may react with the baking soda in the batter and you'll end up with green bits all throughout your cake. The cake will still be edible if this happens, but it's not a good look.

How fine should carrots be grated for carrot cake? ›

Think thin

It's true that carrots are the star of the show, but aim for finely grated pieces rather than chunky. The finer you grate the carrots, the more evenly they will be distributed throughout the cake (for the perfect texture), and the more evenly the cake and the carrots will bake.

Why do carrots turn blue in carrot cake? ›

Some pigments are sensitive to pH balances and will change colour if they are in a very acid or very alkaline environment. In the case of carrots they can change from orange to green if they are in a cake batter which is too alkaline and the alkaline in the ingredients comes from the bicarbonate of soda.

Should you soak raisins before baking in a cake? ›

Soaking them in liquid awakens them and makes. them soft for use. It is also very flavorful and helps. your cake last for years depending on the quantity.

Can carrot cake be left unrefrigerated? ›

Homemade carrot cake can last for 2 to 3 days at room temperature, 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator, and up to 3 to 4 months in the freezer. Store-bought carrot cake typically has a longer shelf life due to preservatives and airtight packaging. To maximize the freshness of carrot cake, proper storage is essential.

How long can carrot cake be left out? ›

If you want to keep carrot cake in tip-top shape from beginning to end, the FDA recommends that you don't leave it on the counter for any longer than two hours. A big part of what makes carrot cake so moist and delicious is that it's made with multiple dairy products.

Do cupcakes baked with cream cheese need to be refrigerated? ›

Food Network Kitchens: Yes, you should always refrigerate any cake or cupcake that has cream cheese frosting.

How do you store carrot cupcakes? ›

Carrot Cake Cupcakes are best stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week. They're best served slightly chilled or at room temperature.

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