Last Updated on June 22, 2024 by Lisa Keys
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.
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!
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.
Applesauce Carrot Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ⅓ cup white whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup honey
- ½ cup canola oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- ⅔ cup Our Family Garden Applesauce Touch of Honey
- 1 ⅓ 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
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 14 muffin cups with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk all purpose flour, white whole wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; set aside.
- 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.
- Add wet ingredients to dry mixture blending until dry ingredients are moistened and well mixed.
- Evenly fill the muffin cups with the batter.
- Bake about 20 - 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven, place on a wire rack, and let cool completely before frosting.
- For frosting, beat mascarpone, honey and vanilla until well blended. Pipe or spoon the frosting on the top of each cupcake.
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate the cupcakes until serving time.
Evelyn
Congrats again Sis!
Great recipes, pictures and the cutest jelly bean taste tester!
Luv ya, 💞
Lisa
Thanks. This really was a great contest and Annabelle loved the cupcakes
Ellen Aronheim
So that carrot cake photo and recipe hijacked my thoughts, but Annabelle's photo stole my heart!<3
Lisa
Glad you like the photos! Annabelle is the sweetest recipe ever
Louis Matino (@LouMatino)
Great job with the 3rd place finish. Always good when you can reduce fat/calories without sacrificing deliciousness!
Lisa
Tracy should make these
athomewrebecka
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!! ❤️
Lisa
If I am inspiring you to bake then I must be doing something right
Mary Shivers
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!
Lisa
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.
Helen Fields
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!
Lisa
Really a pleasure to witness that this type of business man exists. A great product from a great person.
Carol
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?
Lisa
I think it should work out fine as a bundt cake. Let me know how it goes. Send me a photo!
Ronna F
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