DELISH! BEST CARROT CAKE CUPCAKES (Adapted from lovefromtheoven.com)

I made these cupcakes in July for the office, and the feedback I got was overwhelming!  I thought a few people that were carrot cake devotees (like me) might like them, but they were a HUGE hit with the entire office.  Several said they were the best cupcakes I’ve ever sent in; they truly are amazing!

They’re a snap to make – you just have to use your shredder attachment to your food processor to get the carrots shredded properly.  SO SO SO GOOD!

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1/3 cup plain unsweetened applesauce
2 cups granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
4 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 TBSP ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice if you don’t have, replace with additional ginger
2 tsp baking soda
3 cups grated carrots
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, walnuts or raisins OPTIONAL

Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz cream cheese brick, not tub, room temperature
1/2 cup butter softened
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line muffin pans with 24 cupcake liners. Mix together oil, applesauce, sugar, salt and eggs.

Mix well to fully combine, but it’s not necessary to use a mixer. Add in flour, baking soda, salt and spices. Mix until just combined, do not overmix.

Fold in carrots, as well as nuts, raisins or coconut if using. Mix until just combined. Scoop into prepared muffin pan.

Bake for 21 to 24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of one of the middle cupcakes comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan for approximately 10 minutes, then remove and allow to cool completely on a wire rack. Once fully cooled, top with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting
With a mixer, beat together cream cheese and butter until well combined, light and creamy.

Add in 1/2 the powdered sugar and mix until just combined. Add in remaining powdered sugar and beat until just combined.
Mix in vanilla and salt, mixing until just combined. Do not over-mix frosting.
If frosting is too thick you can add a teaspoon or two of cream, half and half or milk to reach the desired consistency.
Pipe or spread onto completely cooled carrot cake cupcakes.
Store frosted cupcakes in refrigerator.