Description
A festive holiday treat combining delicious carrot cake, rich cream cheese frosting, and adorable reindeer decorations. Perfect for holiday gatherings and creating memorable baking experiences.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Carrot Cupcakes:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups finely grated carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 1/4 cup raisins (optional)
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- For the Reindeer Decorations:
- 24 chocolate-covered pretzels
- 24 candy eyes
- 12 red M&Ms (or red candy-coated chocolates)
- 12 Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- Section 1: Prepare Your Baking Environment
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Section 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- Section 3: Prepare the Wet Ingredients
- In a large bowl, beat oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer until well incorporated (about 2 minutes).
- Section 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla extract.
- Section 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Section 6: Fold in Carrots and Add-ins
- Gently fold in grated carrots, and optional nuts and raisins.
- Section 7: Fill Cupcake Liners
- Fill each cupcake liner 2/3 full.
- Section 8: Bake the Cupcakes
- Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (with a few moist crumbs). Rotate the pan halfway through.
- Section 9: Cool Completely
- Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Section 10: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth (2-3 minutes). Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Section 11: Frost the Cupcakes
- Apply a generous dome of frosting to each cupcake.completely cooled
- Section 12: Create the Reindeer Faces
- Place two pretzels at the top for antlers. Add two candy eyes. Place a red candy for the nose. (Optional: Add chocolate chip eyebrows.)
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 420 calories
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: reindeer cupcakes, carrot cupcakes, holiday cupcakes, christmas cupcakes, festive baking, carrot cake, cream cheese frosting, decorated cupcakes, holiday dessert, kids recipe