Carrot cake cupcakes...delicious!!!

From: Happy Herbivore cookbook

Recipe:Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Description

These cupcakes make a fun treat for kids and adults alike. You can even easily turn this recipe into an actual carrot cake - all you need to do is increase the baking time until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Whether it's a cupcake or a slice of cake, this recipe is so, so awesome. It's carrot happiness... in ya' mouth!

Ingredients

• 1½ cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 cup raw sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1¼ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 whole carrot, shredded
• 1½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a muffin pan or spray paper liners to prevent sticking and set aside. (I greased paper liners) In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, soda, sugar, salt & cinnamon in a medium bowl. In a large bowl, mix applesauce, vanilla and carrots. Add dry mix to wet mix in 3-4 batches. Stir until just combined. Fill cups to the top bake 15-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (took 25 min in my oven)

For cream cheese icing, use electric beaters to whip and combine 1 container Tofutti cream cheese, 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1/2 cup confectioners sugar at a time until the consistency is thick and sweet enough.

For maple icing, use electric beaters to whip and combine 1 cups confectioners sugar, 3 tbsp maple syrup and 1 tsp cinnamon, adding additional sugar as necessary to reach a thick and fluffy consistency.

**I have a weakness for carrot cake...I admit it!  When I found this recipe, I was thinking that there is no way this will be that good...I was wrong!  Not only are they delicious, but they are so easy to make!!  Plus, since they are in muffin tins, it is good portion control.  Even my kids liked them which is saying a lot!!  These will be my go to treat when I need something sweet!