Healthy Halloween Desserts – Part 2: Creepy Carrot Cupcake Recipe

Ingredients

Cupcake Ingredients:
• 3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp fine salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch ground nutmeg
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups peeled and shredded carrots (approx. 2 carrots)
• 1/2 cup cinnamon applesauce
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• black and white candy sprinkles or candy corn for garnish
Cream Cheese Frosting:
• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 8 Tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, room temperature
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of orange zest

Instructions

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line 12 standard muffin cups with paper cupcake liners.
2. Sift together the flours, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
3. In a large mixer, combine the brown sugar, oil and eggs. until well combined. Add the carrots, applesauce and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
4. Divide the batter among the muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frosting:
5. Place cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl. Gradually add butter, and continue beating until smooth and well blended.
6. Sift in confectioners' sugar, and continue beating until smooth.
7. Add vanilla, and stir to combine.
8. Frost cupcakes when they have cooled.