Ina Garten Carrot Cake Cupcakes Recipe: Quick & Heavenly Treats

Carrot cake cupcakes bring a whimsical twist to classic dessert traditions with their irresistible blend of sweet and earthy flavors.

Soft, tender crumbs packed with vibrant orange vegetable shreds create a delightful texture that melts in your mouth.

Warm spices dance through each bite, transforming an ordinary treat into something extraordinary.

Bakers love how these miniature cakes offer perfect portion control without sacrificing rich, comforting taste.

Cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious crowning touch that elevates the entire dessert experience.

Small yet mighty, these cupcakes represent comfort and celebration in one delectable package.

Rich and satisfying, they promise to delight guests with their homemade charm: grab your mixing bowl and start baking!

Why Ina Garten’s Carrot Cake Cupcakes are the Perfect Bite-Sized Delight

• Savor Flavor-Packed Goodness: These cupcakes burst with rich, warm cinnamon notes and sweet carrot essence that dance together in perfect harmony, creating a delightful taste experience that feels like a warm hug.
• Enjoy Textural Wonderland: Expect a magical combination of moist, tender cake crumb studded with crunchy walnuts and soft raisins, delivering a delectable contrast that keeps every bite interesting and exciting.
• Master Stress-Free Baking: Ina Garten's foolproof recipe offers straightforward steps that transform even novice bakers into confident dessert creators, with simple techniques and minimal complicated equipment needed for spectacular results.

Key Ingredients for Ina Garten’s Carrot Cake Cupcakes

• Sugar: Sweetens the cupcakes and helps create a tender texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cupcakes moist and provides a soft crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, sweet flavor to the batter.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure to the cupcakes.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the base structure of the cupcakes.
• Ground Cinnamon: Provides warm, aromatic spice characteristic of carrot cake.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cupcakes rise and become light and fluffy.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Carrots: Adds moisture, natural sweetness, and signature carrot cake texture.
• Raisins: Contributes natural sweetness and chewy texture.
• Walnuts: Provides crunch and nutty flavor to the cupcakes.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a tangy, rich base for the frosting.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture to the frosting.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the cream cheese frosting.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature will help create perfect, golden cupcakes with a delightful texture.

Step 2: Create Wet Ingredient Mixture

• Sugar
• 1 vegetable oil
• Pure vanilla extract

Add 3 extra-large eggs one at a time, blending thoroughly after each addition.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Ground cinnamon
• Baking soda
• 1 kosher salt

Slowly incorporate half of this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until smooth.

Step 4: Fold In Delicious Mix-Ins

• Grated carrots
• Raisins
• Chopped walnuts

Gently fold this mixture into the batter, ensuring even distribution.

Step 5: Prepare Cupcake Liners

Line a muffin tray with paper liners. Fill each liner about 3/4 full with batter.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Place the tray in the oven. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350°F (175°C). Continue baking for 30-35 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely.

Step 7: Whip Up Creamy Frosting

• Room-temperature cream cheese
• Room-temperature unsalted butter
• Pure vanilla extract

Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, mixing until smooth and creamy.

Step 8: Finish With Frosting

Once cupcakes are completely cool, generously spread cream cheese frosting on top of each cupcake. Serve and enjoy your homemade treat!

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Carrot Cake Cupcakes

• Zap Raisins with Warmth: Plunge raisins into hot water for 10 minutes, transforming them into plump, juicy gems that burst with moisture in every bite.
• Unleash Carrot Freshness: Grab whole carrots and grate them manually, revealing a vibrant texture and natural sweetness that pre-shredded versions can't match.
• Awaken Nutty Depths: Spread chopped walnuts on a skillet and toast until golden brown, releasing deep, rich flavors that elevate the cupcake's complexity.
• Harmonize Ingredient Temperatures: Pull out eggs, butter, and other ingredients an hour before baking, allowing them to reach room temperature for seamless blending.
• Spark Citrus Magic: Sprinkle fresh orange zest into the batter, creating a bright, unexpected twist that dances perfectly with the warm carrot undertones.

How to Store Ina Garten’s Carrot Cake Cupcakes

• Container Method: Select a high-quality, airtight sealed container with secure locking edges to prevent moisture and preserve freshness. Carefully arrange cupcakes in single layers, separating each row with parchment paper to prevent frosting damage.
• Refrigeration Method: Position cupcakes in the coolest section of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf away from temperature fluctuations. Keep cupcakes covered and consume within 5 days for optimal taste and texture, ensuring they remain moist and delectable.
• Freezing Method: Wrap each cupcake individually in plastic wrap, creating a tight seal that blocks potential freezer burn. Transfer wrapped cupcakes into a freezer-safe zip-lock bag, removing excess air to maintain quality. Label the bag with the date and contents, storing them flat to prevent structural damage. Freeze for maximum 3 months, thawing at room temperature for best results.

Creative Twists on Ina Garten’s Carrot Cake Cupcakes

• Tropical Carrot Delight: Replace raisins with shredded coconut and add crushed pineapple to the batter for a Hawaiian-inspired version that brings sunny flavors to the classic recipe.
• Nutty Spice Adventure: Swap walnuts for pecans and incorporate ground ginger and nutmeg alongside cinnamon to create a more complex, warm spice profile that elevates the traditional carrot cake experience.
• Healthier Whole Grain Option: Substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour and reduce sugar by 1/4 cup, then mix in chia seeds and use Greek yogurt instead of some oil to boost nutritional value while maintaining moisture.
• Chocolate Chip Carrot Indulgence: Fold dark chocolate chips into the batter and sprinkle cocoa powder in the dry ingredients, creating a rich chocolate undertone that complements the sweet carrots and warm spices.

Ina Garten’s Carrot Cake Cupcakes: A Sweet and Spicy Treat

Ina Garten’s carrot cake cupcakes embody pure culinary magic, blending classic comfort with gourmet sophistication.

Spice-laden batter meets cream cheese frosting in an irresistible dance of flavors that elevates home baking.

Delicate crumbs packed with carrots, raisins, and walnuts create an unforgettable dessert experience.

Rich layers of sweetness and texture invite warm memories and joyful moments around the table.

Homemade goodness radiates from each carefully crafted cupcake, promising delectable indulgence.

Passionate bakers and dessert enthusiasts – you’ll want to share these spectacular treats with friends, snap gorgeous photos, spark conversation, and spread deliciousness across social media platforms.

Ina Garten Carrot Cake Cupcakes Recipe

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4.5 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s carrot cake cupcakes deliver classic comfort with gourmet sophistication. Moist spiced cake topped with silky cream cheese frosting creates an irresistible dessert perfect for sharing with family and friends.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups (710 ml) grated carrots
• 3 extra-large eggs
• 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ⅓ cups (320 ml) vegetable oil
• 2 cups (400 g) sugar

Spices and Leavening Agents:

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 cup (150 g) raisins
• 1 cup (100 g) chopped walnuts
• ¾ pound (340 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
• ½ pound (227 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 pound (454 g) confectioners’ sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating it to 400°F (200°C), creating an ideal environment for baking the cupcakes.
2. In a spacious mixing vessel, whisk together granulated sugar, vegetable oil, and pure vanilla extract until thoroughly blended. Incorporate extra-large eggs individually, ensuring each is fully integrated before adding the next.
3. Create a separate mixing bowl for dry ingredients, combining all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, baking soda, and kosher salt. Gently fold half of this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until a smooth, uniform batter forms.
4. Fold the remaining dry mixture with freshly grated carrots, plump raisins, and roughly chopped walnuts. Carefully incorporate this mixture into the existing batter, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
5. Prepare a muffin tray by lining each cup with paper liners. Distribute the batter evenly, filling each liner approximately three-quarters full to allow proper rising during baking.
6. Position the muffin tray in the preheated oven. Bake for 10 minutes at 400°F (200°C), then reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C). Continue baking for 30-35 minutes, periodically checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a cupcake – a clean toothpick indicates complete baking.
7. Allow cupcakes to cool completely while preparing the frosting. In a separate mixing bowl, blend room-temperature cream cheese, unsalted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, mixing until achieving a luxurious, creamy consistency.
8. Once cupcakes have reached room temperature, generously apply the cream cheese frosting to each cupcake’s surface. Serve and savor these delectable carrot cake cupcakes with friends and family.

Notes

• Enhance flavor development by bringing ingredients to room temperature before mixing.
• Transform ordinary weekend baking into a memorable family bonding experience.
• Delight taste buds with perfectly balanced sweet and spiced cupcake sensations.
• Elevate dessert presentation with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
• Store easily in freezer for spontaneous treat moments up to three months.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 543 kcal
• Sugar: 47 g
• Sodium: 253 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 82 mg