Description
These Banana Carrot Cake Cupcakes are a delightful twist on classic carrot cake, featuring the added sweetness of bananas. Topped with a creamy coconut cream cheese frosting, toasted coconut flakes, and Cadbury Mini Eggs, they’re perfect for Easter or any spring celebration.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Cupcakes:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, measured solid, then melted and cooled
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 3 bananas, mashed
- 2 cups freshly grated carrots
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
Frosting:
- 1 1/2 (8-ounce) blocks cold cream cheese
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- Toasted unsweetened flaked coconut, for decorating
- Cadbury Mini Eggs, for decorating
Instructions
Cupcakes:
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a cupcake tin with liners.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together sugar and eggs. Whisk in coconut oil, then mashed bananas, grated carrots, and vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing with a large spoon until incorporated. Add buttermilk, then the remaining dry ingredients. Stir until batter is mostly smooth with minimal lumps.
- Fill and Bake: Fill cupcake liners ¾ full with batter. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until cupcakes are set in the centers.
- Cool: Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
Frosting:
- Cream Cream Cheese: In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat cold cream cheese until smooth.
- Add Sugar: Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed, then increase speed once all sugar is added.
- Add Extracts: Add vanilla and coconut extracts, then beat on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until creamy, scraping down sides as needed.
- Adjust Consistency: If frosting is too thick, add milk 1 teaspoon at a time. If too thin, add powdered sugar gradually.
- Frost and Decorate: Frost cooled cupcakes. Roll edges in toasted coconut and top with Cadbury Mini Eggs, if desired.
Notes
- Ensure coconut oil is cooled to room temperature after melting to prevent curdling.
- Use ripe bananas for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Grate carrots finely for even distribution in the cupcakes.
- Allow cream cheese to soften slightly before beating for a smoother frosting.
- Toast coconut flakes in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown.
- Leftover cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg