This week I made some delicious carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting for teacher appreciation week.  It was the perfect chance for me to try out our new baking cups.  And of course, I like to make almost anything that has cream cheese frosting on it!  I used the following recipe and it turned out great!

• 1 cup flour
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups grated carrots (heaping)
• ⅔ cup oil
• 2 eggs, beaten

• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2+ cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the grated carrots and the oil. Slowly add the flour mixture, stirring until just mixed. Add the beaten eggs and stir a few times (like 15 or less around the bowl – the fewer the better)!
2. Scoop batter into baking cups about 1/3 to 1/2 of the way. Bake for 15 minutes, check how they’re doing, and add a few minutes if necessary. I find that the baking time varies greatly with oven, so just check for the right golden brown color and springy tops. Allow the cupcakes to cool.
3. For the frosting, blend the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth. Slowly beat in the powdered sugar until smooth. Transfer to a plastic bag or similar tool for piping the frosting evenly on the cupcakes.

I used our Lilac Damask Stripe Large Baking Cups for these cupcakes.  They worked really well and looked beautiful on a serving tray.  While I used these for a teacher appreciation luncheon, I was thinking of different events these would be ideal for and these are a few I came up with:

• Bridal Shower
• Graduation Party
• Baby Shower
• Ladies Luncheon
• Mother’s Day Brunch
• 1st Birthday Party

Of course, there are many more uses, but these were the first to pop in my head.  Let me know what you think of our new baking cups and if you decide to use them for your special event.  I would love to hear what you do with yours! xoxo Jennifer

The Best Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting – Pinch of Yum