Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Combine cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla extract for frosting in a medium bowl. Mix briskly until smooth and well blended. Cover and refrigerate until needed.

2. Blot grated carrots for garnish dry with a clean kitchen or paper towel. Cover and refrigerate until needed.

3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.

4. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together in a large bowl to combine. Remove any clumps from brown sugar; add to the flour mixture and stir with the whisk to combine. Add carrots and stir until completely coated. Stir in almond milk, oil, maple syrup, and vanilla and mix just until incorporated. Batter will be soupier than typical cake batter but, if batter is too loose, you can add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time.

5. Divide the mixture amongst the prepared muffin cups.

6. Bake in the preheated oven until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Place the pans on wire racks to cool for about 15 minutes. Carefully remove the cupcakes from the pan and allow to cool on the wire rack for an additional 15 minutes.

7. Frost with cream cheese frosting and garnish with grated carrots.

Cook's Note:

You can add 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts if desired.