Chinese Five Spice Carrot Cupcakes
Recipe by Janet Johnston, Savory Spice co-founder
Sweet-spiced Chinese Five Spice adds warmth and depth to classic carrot cake. Topped with a smooth and creamy cream cheese frosting, these cupcakes are perfect for any birthday, celebration, or weekday dessert.
Serves
1 dozen
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cooking Time
22 minutes
Ingredients
For cupcakes: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda
Chinese Five Spice
2 tsp. Chinese Five Spice
Mayan Sea Salt
3/4 tsp. Mayan Sea Salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup crushed pineapple, drained
3 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract
2 tsp. Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract
2 cups shredded carrots (about 3 to 4 medium carrots)
For frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
Ground Ginger
2 tsp. Ground Ginger
Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract
2 tsp. Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract
3 cups powdered sugar
Directions
Step 1
Make batter
Step 2
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper cupcake liners. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, Chinese Five Spice, and Mayan Sea Salt. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together vegetable oil, crushed pineapple, eggs, sugar, Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract, and carrots. Add flour mixture a little at a time and mix until just combined.
Step 3
Bake cupcakes
Step 4
Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full with batter. Bake for 20 to 22 min. until center of cupcakes does not wiggle and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. When they can be handled safely, remove from muffin pan and let cool completely on wire racks before frosting.
Step 5
Make frosting
Step 6
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine cream cheese, butter, Ground Ginger, and Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract. Mix until ingredients are just combined. Slowly add powdered sugar and mix until smooth and glossy. Spread or pipe frosting onto cupcakes and chill until ready to serve.
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