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These Orange Ginger Carrot Cupcakes got so many thumbs up from my co-workers that I figured I had to make them again (poor me) and take some pretty pictures. And trust me, it’s not the last time I make them!
Short background: I don’t bake a lot, but when I do, I take it seriously. So when my time came around in the Fika Group at work I started planning what to make well in advance. I wish. (Sidenote: The Fika Group is a Swedish concept where everyone takes turns bringing along “Fika” for everyone, often started as a just-for-fun way for everyone to get to have some sweets at least one afternoon of the week, but quickly escalating into full-on Masterchef baking competition. Or maybe that’s just me.)
In reality, with two days to go, I started to get a bit stressed out over what to make. So I did the only reasonable thing – I had a quick brainstorming session with a friend over several glasses of wine. And so, the idea of Orange Ginger Carrot Cupcakes was born.
I realize as I’m writing this that this was probably not all that random. I’m not a big sweets person, especially not when it comes to baked stuff. So when I do bake I don’t want it to be just sweet – it needs to have tons of flavor and preferably be a bit savory as well. And I have to say the Orange Ginger Carrot Cupcakes did the trick.
The muffin part of the cupcake is based on Pinch of Yums Carrot Cake Cupcakes. It’s not overly sweet, it’s moist and cooks evenly. However, I did add a twist: enter the ginger, first visit. Grated and mixed in with the rest of the batter it provides a hint of spice, without overpowering the subtle carrot flavor.
However good the muffin part is, the real hero of this cupcake is the frosting. It’s a basic creme cheese frosting, but then again – it’s so much more. My co-workers and I were literally eating the leftovers by the spoonful. It’s sweet but not too sweet, full of orange flavor and then again that tiny hint of ginger. It’s not as firm as some cream cheese frostings can be, if you like it firmer you can add some more powdered sugar, but that will of course also increase the sweetness.
The final touch is the candied ginger. This is not a must. You can leave it out. It’s a 1000% allowed. The frosting really is the hero and it performs excellently on its own (preferably eaten by he spoonful, as I mentioned). But if you’re like me (a lover of all things ginger as well as seriously overambitious, that is) you’ll make it (and in that case I highly recommend using this candied ginger recipe). A fair warning though: it’s highly addictive.
So there you have it. From brainstorming to Fika Group to you in less than a week. Must be some kinda record, right? And two recipes in one, at that!
Trust me when I say: make this. Make it now.
Please share this recipe if you like it, and even better – tag me @alwaysusebutter if you do! Did you try it? I’d love for you to leave a rating below!
Recipe
Orange Ginger Carrot Cupcakes
Rate
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Calories: 423kcal
Prep time: 40 minutes
Cook time: 18 minutes
Total time: 58 minutes
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Instructions
Carrot Ginger Muffins
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Preheat oven to 175C/350F.
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Grease a muffin tray or place paper muffin forms on a baking tray or in a muffin tray.
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In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.
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In another bowl, large enough to hold all of the batter, combine grated carrots, grated ginger, and vegetable oil. Add the flour mixture slowly. Then add the beaten eggs and mix.
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Scoop the batter into the muffin forms, filling them to a maximum of ⅔.
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Bake for 18 minutes. Baking time may vary with your oven so it might be an idea to bake for 10-15 minutes first, check, and then return the muffins to the oven if necessary. You want them to have a nice golden color and to be finished inside, but not dry. Set aside and let cool before adding the frosting. While the muffins are baking, make the frosting.
Orange Ginger Frosting
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Mix the butter until fluffy.
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Add the cream cheese and powdered sugar and mix.
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Add orange zest, orange juice and grated ginger. Taste test and check texture – you want it to be firm enough to stay on top of the muffins. If it’s too soft add some more powdered sugar.
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Let sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before decorating the cupcakes.
Decorating your Orange Ginger Carrot Cupcakes
Nutrition
Calories: 423kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 167mg | Potassium: 161mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 3210IU | Vitamin C: 3.9mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 0.8mg
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
The post Orange Ginger Carrot Cupcakes – always use butter first appeared on AfterCuriosity.
