We have posted several other carrot and spice cupcake recipes but this one includes some interesting ingredients. The additional fruit makes these cupcakes extra moist with some added nutritional value. It’s still a cupcake, but vitamins are always good however we get them. This recipe is courtesy of Taste of Home.
Carrot and Raisin Spice Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup canola oil
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3 cups finely shredded carrots
- 1 cup raisins
FILLING:
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons plus 1-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained and chopped
FROSTING:
- 1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 3-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Additional ground cinnamon
Directions
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs, oil, sugars and vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, cloves and nutmeg; gradually beat into egg mixture until blended. Stir in carrots and raisins.
- Fill paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in pineapple until blended. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for 2-3 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth.
- Cut a large hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert a round tip. Fill with pineapple filling. Push the tip through the top of the cupcake to fill each cupcake. Frost tops and sprinkle with cinnamon. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 2 dozen.