Buttermilk, fresh carrots, nuts, raisins, and a delicious, homemade cream cheese frosting combine to make the Best Carrot Cupcake Recipe. They are the perfect dessert for Easter.

Carrot cake is a classic, especially during the Spring months when desserts embrace a fresher, lighter flavor. If you like carrot cake, then you're going to love my recipe for carrot cupcakes. It could be the best carrot cupcake recipe you'll ever try. It's a fresh, homemade twist on a classic dessert that's perfect for holiday celebrations.
Shopping List
- eggs
- canola oil
- buttermilk
- carrots
- walnuts or pecans
- raisins
- cream cheese
Pantry ingredients: flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, powdered sugar
How to Make Carrot Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F and line a muffin pan with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon and whisk together.
- In another bowl, beat eggs, then mix in canola oil, buttermilk, vanilla, and carrots.
- Add carrot mixture to flour mixture and stir to combine.
- After that, fold in walnuts and raisins.
- Divide batter into cupcake liners – I like to use a large cookie scoop for this.
- Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely before frosting.

Easy Cream Cheese Frosting
- Add room temperature cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl and beat until creamy and smooth
- Gradually add powdered sugar, a little at a time until it is all incorporated.
- Next, add vanilla extract and beat until smooth.
- Frost the cooled cupcakes.

To Make a Carrot Cake
This recipe can also be made into a 13x9 cake.
- Pour the batter into a greased and floured 13x9 cake pan.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
More tasty carrot desserts:

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My carrot cupcake recipe is sure to please a crowd. Even the pickiest eater won't be able to turn down these fluffy, spiced cupcakes full of raisins, nuts and of course fresh carrots and then topped with cream cheese frosting. I don't know anyone who turns down a delicious dollop of cream cheese frosting! Enjoy!
Best Carrot Cupcake Recipe

Best Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
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Equipment
- Muffin Tins – Two 12 Count
Ingredients
Cupcake Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 4 eggs beaten
- 1 cup canola oil
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 cups carrots finely shredded
- ¾ cup walnuts or pecans chopped
- ¾ cup raisins
Frosting Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Cupcake Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F and line a muffin pan with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon and whisk together.
- In another bowl, beat eggs, then mix in canola oil, buttermilk, vanilla, and carrots.
- Add carrot mixture to flour mixture and stir to combine.
- After that, fold in walnuts and raisins.
- Divide batter into cupcake liners – I like to use a large cookie scoop for this.
- Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely before frosting.
Frosting Instructions
- Add room temperature cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl and beat until creamy and smooth
- Gradually add powdered sugar, a little at a time until it is all incorporated.
- Next, add vanilla extract and beat until smooth.
Video
Notes
This recipe can also be made into a 13×9 cake. Pour the batter into a greased and floured 13×9 cake pan.
Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
For best results, be sure to check our Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help your delicious recipe come out perfectly.
Marie says
I can't wait to make these for Easter!!