Easter Carrot Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

By

  • 24
  • 15 mins
  • 30 mins

Ingredients

  • For the Cupcakes:
  • 2 Cups all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1/4 tsp cardamom
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 1/2 c sugar
  • 3/4 c sour cream, room temp
  • 1/2 c grapeseed oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs, room temp
  • 2 1/2 c finely shredded carrots
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • For the Frosting:
  • 2 sticks butter
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 Tbsp maple syrup
  • For Decoration:
  • 1 cup finely shredded coconut, toasted
  • Pastel chocolate covered almonds
  • Orange chocolate covered sunflower seeds
  • Haribo green apple gummy candy, cut into strips

Preparation

Step 1

Prepare two muffin pans with paper cupcake liners and preheat oven to 350 Deg. F
In a bowl combine the flour, baking soda and powder, spices and salt. Set aside.
In a separate bowl mix together the sugar, sour cream and oil and mix well. Add in each egg one at a time and mix well after each addition. Fold in the shredded carrots and chocolate chips.
Scoop batter into each cupcake well, filling about ⅔ of the way full. Bake for 15-16 minutes or until tops bounce back when lightly pressed. Let cool in pan for 3 minutes and then carefully remove to wire rack to cool completely.

make the frosting and assembly:
Combine all the frosting ingredients in a bowl and mix until well combined.
Using a pastry bag fitted with an open start tip pipe a large swirl of frosting around the tops of each cupcake and either carefully roll the edges in the toasted coconut or sprinkle the coconut on top. Place 2 pastel chocolate almonds in the middle for “eggs in a nest” or arrange chocolate covered sunflower seeds in the shape of a carrot and arrange a few gummy candy strips for the carrot leaves. Keep refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to serve. Serve at room temperature.