Carrot cupcake

I always wanted to make carrot cake, and today is such perfect timing and would make me a very happy bunny. I did not intend to make these cupcakes looking like rabbits, but once i put the frosting on, i just couldn't resist putting the giant chocolate buttons. Happy Easter!

One cupcake like this and a coffee is just heaven!

Make 12 (Muffin cases) 20 (small cupcakes)

Ingredients:

Cake

1cup/110g Pecans or Walnuts - Toasted and coarsely chopped
2cups/260g Plain Flour
1tspn Baking Soda
1 1/2tspnBaking Powder
1/2tspn Salt
1 1/2tspn ground Cinnamon
4 Large Free Range Eggs
1 1/4cups/250g Granulated White Sugar
1 Cup Canola Oil (i used Walnut Oil)
2tspn Vanilla Extract
2 1/2/280g finely grated raw carrots

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1/2cup/113g Butter (unsalted)
8oz/227g Cream Cheese (Philadephia Light)
1cup/110g Icing Sugar (sifted)


Garnish: optional
Chocolate Buttons


Method

1)Pre-heat oven at 180C and place the rack in centre of oven. Put paperliners in muffin cup/baking tray.
2)Toast the pecans/walnuts for about 8-10minutes or until lightly browned and fragrant. Let it cool and then chop coarsely.
3)In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
4)In a bowl whizz with your handmixer, beat the eggs until frothy. Gradually add the sugar and beat ntil the batter is thick and light coloured (abt 3-4mins).
5)Add the oil in a steady stream and then beat in the vanilla extract.
6)Add the flour mixture and beat just until all mixed well.
7)With a large spatula fold in the grated carrots adn chopped nuts.
8)Evenly divide the batter between the muffin cups and bake for 20-25mins. Then let it to cool on the rack.

Frosting:
9) Whilst the cake is in the oven, in a bowl beat the butter and cream cheese until very smooth and creamy.
10) Gradually beat in the icing sugar until its mixed well and smooth looking. Add in the Vanilla Extract.

11) Once cake is cooled, use a piping bag or a spatula to spread the cream cheese frosting on top of each cupcakes
12) Add some garnish - anything from chocolate fancies, to marshmallows. Or giant chocolate buttons.

Happy Baking!