Valentines Party with Carrot Cupcakes

I hope you all had a great weekend. Thanks so much for your responses from the Community series. If you missed, here’s Part 1, 2 and 3. It’s been so awesome talking about this topic with various people and seeing that it’s been on the hearts of many. Jimmy will be closing it out with one last part to the series. 

This week, I’m taking a break from the normally scheduled posts because I’ve received some requests to post some Valentines Day related recipes and ideas. Whether or not you like or celebrate Valentines Day, these recipes can be for any day or event. You never need an official holiday to celebrate with the people you love. If you don’t have plans for this weekend, I recommend making a little dinner and dessert and spending some time with loved ones. #community

You may remember this carrot cake that I made for my sister’s baby shower. I get requested to make this cake quite a bit for birthdays. It’s my mom’s favorite. This past weekend, I decided to make them as cupcakes to share with friends and family. If you need to make a dessert any time soon, try this out! 

Carrot Cake (adapted from here)

• 2 cups loosely packed grated carrots
• 1/2 cup oil
• 3 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup whole milk mixed with 1 tbsp vinegar)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare your buttermilk by mixing the milk and vinegar and letting it sit. 

In a large bowl, mix the eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla. Mix in the the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add the flour and “buttermilk” and mix well. 

Stir in the carrots (I use my cheese grater).If you want to make a cake, divide the batter into into 2 pans and bake (make sure to spray with oil) for about 30-40 minutes. Use a toothpick and insert into the cakes and if it comes out clean, it’s done. If you make cupcakes or muffins, bake for 20-25 minutes. Mini cupcakes take about 12-15 minutes. If you eat this right out of the oven, it will be bit difficult to peel off the liners. I used liners for all the cupcakes but they aren’t necessary if you spray the pans with oil. 

The best part! FROSTING! Here’s the recipe for the cream cheese frosting I posted here. For these cupcakes, I halved the frosting recipe and it was just the right amount. For these cupcakes, I added a little gel to make pink frosting. Always frost after the cakes have completely cooled. 

 YUM. 

OK I lied. The best part is actually sharing it with the people you love AND seeing their faces. 

carefully peeling the liners

 These kiddos love desserts just like their mom and dad

 YESSSSS…..

 It’s best with some cold whole milk.

Invite your mom!

Will Emmy share??

Awwwww

Share the love by making these cupcakes for your significant other, friend, neighbor or family! Have a great Monday

<><yuni

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31