Amy's Amazing Carrot Cupcakes

• 1 1/2 cups carrots, peeled and grated, tightly packed (5 1/4 ounces; about 1 1/2 medium carrots)
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
• Pinch (1/16 teaspoon) salt
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large whole eggs, warmed to room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup pecan pieces, untoasted (optional)
• 1 recipe Amy's Awesome Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows)
• 8 ounces (1 package) cream cheese, warmed to room temperature
• 4 tablespoons ( 1/2 stick) unsalted butter, warmed to room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cups ( 1/2 pound) confectioners sugar, sifted
• Sifter
• Stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer

1. To Make the Cupcakes:
2. Preheat the oven to 350F.
3. Shred the carrots using a box grater.
4. Set aside.
5. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or in a mixing bowl (if using a hand mixer), combine all the dry ingredients, including the spices.
6. Then, add the oil and eggs to the mixture.
7. Mix well on medium speed until thoroughly combined.
8. Add the vanilla extract.
9. Slowly add the pecans and carrots to the mixture.
10. Transfer the mixture to the lined cupcake pans, filling each liner about halfway.
11. Bake at 350F for about 20 minutes.
12. Let the cupcakes cool at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
13. After the cupcakes have cooled completely, using an offset spatula, frost each cupcake with Amys Awesome Cream Cheese Frosting.
14. To Make the Frosting:
15. Prep: Take your cream cheese and butter out of the refrigerator a couple of hours before you make the frosting, or warm them slightly in the microwave (see Notes).
16. Sift the confectioners sugar.
17. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a mixing bowl (if using a hand mixer), mix all of the ingredients together.
18. Frosting will keep for 2 weeks refrigerated in a sealed airtight container

carrots, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla, pecan, recipe amys, cream cheese, unsalted butter, vanilla, confectioners sugar, sifter, attachment

Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/amys-amazing-carrot-cupcakes (may not work)