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Sweet, simple, and delicious, vanilla Carrot Cake Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Light and fluffy carrot cupcakes made simply with freshly grated carrots, sweet brown sugar, and the real secret – double the vanilla. Each light carrot-filled cupcake is generously frosted with whipped cream cheese frosting. These cupcakes are nothing short of delicious. Each sweet mini-cake can be decorated as desired for spring, Easter, Mother’s Day, or really any occasion!

Carrot Cake Cupcakes | halfbakedharvest.com

There was a time a couple of years ago when I loved to bake and decorate layer cakes. Or at least I loved the idea of baking and decorating them. And don’t get me wrong, I still adore a layer cake, but they require more time than say, a cute personal-size cupcake.

This is the year I’m focused on cupcakes. They’re a bit easier, and sometimes even cuter. They taste just the same, but they’re fun – everyone loves a cupcake!

Carrot Cake Cupcakes | halfbakedharvest.com

Which brings me to the carrot cake cupcake. When it comes to carrots I’m much more familiar with the classic 2-layer, rather dense, overly sweet cake. It’s not something I’ve ever been overly excited about. And when I create a recipe, I want to be overly excited!

For that reason, I don’t have many carrot cake recipes. But do you all remember the carrot cake muffins I made a month or so ago? I ended up loving every last crumb of those muffins. Which got me thinking.

Carrot Cake Cupcakes | halfbakedharvest.com

How could I create the perfect carrot cake cupcake? One that’s light, fluffy, and not too sweet, but just sweet enough.

A cupcake with no walnuts, no coconut flakes – just carrots. Simple and great with lots of wonderful vanilla flavor. That’s what I wanted. And of course a thick whipped cream cheese frosting was a must.

I kind of got excited. And when I’m excited, I usually go for it and don’t stop until it’s perfect. Yes, I’ve got the perfect carrot cake cupcakes! Well, they’re perfect through my eyes anyway, because this is not a classic carrot cake. These are not dense, and honestly, bland. They’re made with delicious flavors that help highlight the sweetness in the carrots.

Carrot Cake Cupcakes | halfbakedharvest.com

The details

The cake batter is all made in one bowl. Simply mix the wet ingredients with the dry and that’s it. I prefer to use melted coconut oil for these. Then mix in brown sugar as the sweetener. I LOVE the rich depth of flavor brown sugar adds to baked goods. Now mix in the eggs, lots of vanilla, and plain Greek yogurt for extra moisture.

For the dry ingredients, you’ll need all-purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda. And then the spices, cinnamon plus ginger.

Carrot Cake Cupcakes | halfbakedharvest.com

Mix everything together, then divide the batter between the cupcake molds. Fill these up about 3/4 the way, then bake until fluffy and rounded on the top. They’re going to smell so wonderful in the oven.

It’s the cinnamon with the vanilla that always does it for me, it’s the sweetest scent.

Carrot Cake Cupcakes | halfbakedharvest.com

To make the frosting

Cream cheese, butter, sugar, and a splash of both vanilla and milk. Beat that all together and you’ll have one of my favorite cake frostings.

No one ever knows there’s cream cheese in the frosting. But it’s what makes this frosting extra special and leaves everyone wanting more. And don’t forget the salt, it balances the fats.

Carrot Cake Cupcakes | halfbakedharvest.com

When cooled, frost each cupcake. I like to decorate these with crushed dried strawberries, matcha powder, and fresh chamomile flowers. Sometimes I’ll do crushed chocolate cookie crumbs too (like an Oreo). My favorite combo though is the strawberry powder and matcha powder with a few chamomile flowers on top.

Carrot Cake Cupcakes | halfbakedharvest.com

What I love most is how cute these turned out with minimal effort. They’re the perfect cupcakes to bake for both spring and summer and especially for upcoming Easter and Mother’s Day!

Carrot Cake Cupcakes | halfbakedharvest.com

Looking for other spring recipes? Here are some favorites:

Double Strawberry Cupcakes

Cream Cheese Swirled Cinnamon Carrot Cake Muffins

Strawberry Bourbon Cobbler

Strawberry Chamomile Naked Cake

Lemon Strawberry Dutch Baby with Ricotta Cream

Lastly, if you make these Carrot Cake Cupcakes, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Calories Per Serving: 425 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Frosting

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Line cupcake molds with paper liners.
    2. In a large bowl, beat together the coconut oil, brown sugar, eggs, yogurt, and vanilla. Mix in the carrots. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Mix until just combined.
    3. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pan. Bake 25-30 minutes, until the tops are just set, and no longer wiggly in the center. Remove and let cool.
    4. To make the frosting. In a stand mixer, beat together the cream cheese until whipped. Add the butter and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla. Beat until the frosting is light and fluffy, then slowly stream in the milk until your desired consistency is reached, you may not use it all.
    5. Frost each cupcake and decorate as desired. I love to dust the cupcakes with matcha powder, strawberry powder, and/or edible flowers.
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Carrot Cake Cupcakes | halfbakedharvest.com

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Comments

    1. Hi Francine,
      Your local grocery store should carry it, otherwise you can buy freeze dried strawberries and blend into a powder. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT

  1. Hi Tieghan! Wondering if there’s any way to make the frosting without a stand mixer, or if it would be too difficult? I’m going to make the cupcakes as is and then frost with store-bought as a workaround, but would love to be able to make the real stuff somehow.

    1. Hey Ambrey,
      You can use a whisk, just put some arm muscle into:) Lol it will be a good workout! I hope you love this recipe! xT

  2. 5 stars
    I substituted the coconut oil with olive oil and they were just so scrumptious and moist, and super easy and quick to make!

  3. What type of chamomile are the flowers? I can’t seem to find any that have that many petals, they’re so pretty!

    1. Hi Brianna,
      Sure, that would be okay for you to do! Let me know how these cupcakes turn out for you, I hope you love them! xx

    1. Hi! I would add 5-10 mins to the bake and stick a toothpick/fork in it to check if it comes out clean and the cake is done! xT

    1. Hi Natasha,
      Yes, that will work well for you! You could also use another neutral oil:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT

    1. Hi Tamoi,
      Perfect!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and thanks so much for making it! Happy Mother’s Day!💐

    1. Hi Raizy,
      Sure, I would freeze without the frosting! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT