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One of the Best Applesauce Carrot Cupcakes

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frosted applesauce carrot cupcakes
carrot cupcakes

This week I am happy to make an announcement. My recipe for Applesauce Carrot Cupcakes won third place in the Our Family Garden Applesauce recipe contest. Now, you might not think 3rd place is a big deal, but this contest was such a joy to participate in for so many reasons other than winning.

First of all, this is a real family business headed by a man named Darvin. Everyone including the children are involved in making the best applesauce I have ever tasted. The applesauce, made from a variety of apples, comes unsweetened or with a touch of honey +/or cinnamon. Darvin sent each participating contestant 6 full size jars plus a gift of jam. His is a kind and generous business. I already felt like I won and my recipe testing had not even started, yet.

Korean chicken bowl made with applesauce
image003
apple soup in a bowl

Inspired by such kindness and the perfect balance of fresh applesauce sweetness I went on to create 12 new recipes. (These days for most contests I only create 1 or 2 recipes at most.) Truth is this applesauce is so good on its own that it’s almost a crime to transform it into something else. However, it did make every recipe I developed taste not only fantastic, but so much healthier to eat. I eliminated sugar and lots of fat without sacrificing any flavor in everything from baked goods to soups to a Korean style BBQ sauce. Win-Win-Win!

fresh fruit topped cake made with applesauce

The icing on the cake is that one of my recipe photos was chosen to dress the cover of the cookbook Darvin and his family are putting together. I am just thrilled the family liked my food photography and styling, too.

Here is my winning recipe which was a huge hit at Easter dinner. It’s a healthy carrot cake cupcake makeover utilizing a touch of honey for sweetness and some white whole wheat flour for a wholesome boost in nutrition. Try them for Mother’s Day.

my grand daughter
My favorite jelly bean and now taste tester in her Easter dress
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Applesauce Carrot Cupcakes


  • Author: Lisa Keys
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: Makes 14 cupcakes
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Description

Winner of the Family Garden applesauce recipe contest


Ingredients

Cupcakes

 

1 cup all purpose flour

1/3-cup white whole wheat flour

1-teaspoon baking soda

1-teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon fine salt

2 eggs

1/3-cup honey

½ cup canola oil

1-teaspoon fresh lemon juice

2/3-cup Our Family Garden Applesauce Touch of Honey

1 1/3 cups finely grated fresh carrots

 

Frosting

 

1 (8 oz) container mascarpone cheese or cream cheese

¼ cup honey

½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract

 

 

 


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 14 muffin cups with paper liners.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk all purpose flour, white whole wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; set aside. 
  3. In another large bowl whisk the eggs until lightly beaten. Add honey, oil and lemon juice; whisk until slightly thickened. Stir in the applesauce and grated carrots.
  4. Add wet ingredients to dry mixture blending until dry ingredients are moistened and well mixed.
  5. Evenly fill the muffin cups with the batter.
  6. Bake about 20 – 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
  7. Remove from the oven, place on a wire rack, and let cool completely before frosting.
  8.  For frosting, beat mascarpone, honey and vanilla until well blended. Pipe or spoon the frosting on the top of each cupcake. 
  9. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate the cupcakes until serving time. 

 

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: dessert
  • Method: baking

Keywords: applesauce, muffins, mascarpone, carrot cake, honey, snack, cupcakes, frosting

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag me @goodgriefcook — I can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Evelyn

    May 6, 2018 at 7:42 am

    Congrats again Sis!
    Great recipes, pictures and the cutest jelly bean taste tester!
    Luv ya, 💞

    Reply
    • Lisa

      May 6, 2018 at 7:48 am

      Thanks. This really was a great contest and Annabelle loved the cupcakes

      Reply
  2. Ellen Aronheim

    May 6, 2018 at 8:27 am

    So that carrot cake photo and recipe hijacked my thoughts, but Annabelle’s photo stole my heart!<3

    Reply
    • Lisa

      May 6, 2018 at 12:09 pm

      Glad you like the photos! Annabelle is the sweetest recipe ever

      Reply
  3. Louis Matino (@LouMatino)

    May 6, 2018 at 11:00 am

    Great job with the 3rd place finish. Always good when you can reduce fat/calories without sacrificing deliciousness!

    Reply
    • Lisa

      May 6, 2018 at 12:08 pm

      Tracy should make these

      Reply
  4. athomewrebecka

    May 6, 2018 at 11:44 am

    I’m so happy for you Lisa! Congrats! I find so much joy looking at your food photography and reading about your applesauce recipes that it makes me want to bake and you know how much I don’t like to bake!! ❤️

    Reply
    • Lisa

      May 6, 2018 at 12:07 pm

      If I am inspiring you to bake then I must be doing something right

      Reply
  5. Mary Shivers

    May 6, 2018 at 12:23 pm

    Lisa, I love this post about Darvin and the wonderful applesauce contest. I also created and sent in several recipes, which was unusual for me because of the photography involved. (Still working on my picture-taking skills!)
    I htink I can speak for many of us who love to enter recipe contests when I say this one was truly memorable in the most postive way. Congrats on the win, sweet friend.
    BTW, your beautfiul Annabelle is certainly starting to look like a little girl instead of a baby!

    Reply
    • Lisa

      May 7, 2018 at 7:04 am

      And big congrats with your second place win with those luscious looking brownies. I look forward to trying those, too. The is her birthday month. Can’t believe she is two already.

      Reply
  6. Helen Fields

    May 6, 2018 at 1:28 pm

    Congratulations on your win! The cupcakes sound good, and look beautiful! I agree this contest was a winner all way round. Darvin was not only generous, but caring for all. Delicious applesauce, too!

    Reply
    • Lisa

      May 7, 2018 at 7:05 am

      Really a pleasure to witness that this type of business man exists. A great product from a great person.

      Reply
  7. Carol

    May 6, 2018 at 6:13 pm

    Congratulations Lisa! Great pic’s, great recipe and that little dollie is so darn cute! Thinking of making this as a Bundt cake instead…anything I need to do different besides longer bake time?

    Reply
    • Lisa

      May 7, 2018 at 7:07 am

      I think it should work out fine as a bundt cake. Let me know how it goes. Send me a photo!

      Reply
  8. Ronna F

    May 8, 2018 at 12:58 pm

    You are such a great recipe creator, Lisa that I wasn’t surprised that you placed in the applesauce contest! I enjoyed my applesauce too and creating recipes. I sent in 3……a hummus, a dip and a Hawaiian chicken. Your cupcakes look so good! I think I’ll have to make them soon, but it will have to be with store bought applesauce!!!! And Annabelle is getting to be such a little lady! I love seeing photos of her!!!! <3

    Reply

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