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If you like pumpkin bread and carrot cake you will love these pumpkin carrot cake cupcakes.
Do you like pumpkin bread? What about carrot cake? Combine the two and you have these scrumptious pumpkin carrot cake cupcakes with buttercream icing
The recipe is a little involved but this might be the best cake/cupcakes I have ever eaten.
How to Make Halloween Pumpkin Carrot Cake Cupcakes
PUMPKIN CARROT CAKE
Recipe from: Ben Starr
Cupcake Ingredients and Directions
Preheat oven to 370 degrees F. Prepare your cupcake tins with liners and set aside.
6 egg whites
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
Using the balloon whisk attachment, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and white sugar, turn the mixer on high and beat for 2-3 minutes until you have stiff peaked meringue. Set aside.
2 sticks unsalted butter
1/2 cups white sugar
3 egg yolks
11/4 cups pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon vanilla
In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment beat the butter on medium speed for about 1 minute until it is smooth and light in color. Slowly add the white and brown sugar. Beat for about 4 minutes or until both sugars are fully incorporates and the mixture is light and fluffy. Make sure to stop the mixer and scrape down the sides.
Then add the egg yolks one at a time, making sure to incorporate each. Beat until mixture is thick and pale, about 3 minutes.
Add pumpkin puree and vanilla, beat on medium for 1 minute.
Dry Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
5 teaspoons baking powder
2 Tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 Tablespoon ginger
1 Tablespoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon allspice
2 cups grated carrots
Directions
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, allspice and salt. Whisk all dry ingredients, then sift. With the mixer on low, slowly add the mixture to the butter, sugar mixture. Mix until just combined.
Mix for 1 minute until everything is incorporated.
THEN, add 1/3 of the meringue mixture and gently fold in to the batter to lighten it. Add remaining meringue mixture and gently fold, do not stir or beat aggressively. Fold egg whites until you do not see any white in the mixture.
Pour mixture into prepared pans, and fill the cupcake tins almost to the top with batter. Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes. or until they test done.
TIP 1
Because the recipe is a little more complicated than a normal recipe, or at least the ones I have used in the past you might want to read Ben Starrs’ original recipe just in case I made a typo.
Also, the cupcake recipe is a little different than the cake so if you are making a cake instead check the recipe first.
TIP 2
Black icing is a bit of a challenge to perfect, I used Wilton black gel food coloring and the color had a lot of dark blue undertones so I evened it out with black sanding sugar. If you have a foolproof method to create true colors using gel dye let me know.
TIP 3
If you do not have the time and don’t want to make homemade cupcakes buy a mix and make those. Then spend an afternoon with your kids or grandkids decorating/eating your own Halloween cupcakes. I am sure they will love them and you will love making memories with them.
How to Decorate Pumpkin Carrot Cake Cupcakes
You can decorate these pumpkin carrot cake cupcakes with whatever frosting you like, when I make the cake I use cream cheese frosting but for these cupcakes, I decided to use my favorite buttercream frosting. Of course I added a few Halloween sprinkles and black sanding sugar.
Where to shop to Halloween baking paraphernalia
I purchased 50 of these sturdy cupcake cups, which could also be used to hold candy and other treats at for $2.99 and I found the sprinkles and sanding sugar at but you can also find a huge selection at your local grocery store, Walmart and of course Amazon.
The cupcakes were a huge hit at the Happy Hour Party.
Pin Me Later
If you make the cupcakes or the cake that you let me know. I will be making the cake version of these cupcakes for Thanksgiving as I mentioned above, my family loves this cake.
In fact now that I think about it, I am going to make it early and freeze it so that I have one less thing to do over the holiday.
Have a good day.
Paula@SweetPea says
Your cupcakes are beautifully decorated and their pumpkin carrot cake sounds scrumptious.
Elizabeth says
Thank you Paula! They are very tasty.
Cindy says
These are perfect for Halloween. These sound delicious as always
Elizabeth says
thank you Cindy
Brenda Pruitt says
Oh Elizabeth, what adorable cupcakes! I’m sure the young as well as the old in your family will enjoy these and be happy that you live closer to them now.
Brenda
Elizabeth says
Thank you Brenda! I wish that you loved closer, I would be bringing you a sweet treat at least 3 times a week!
Dara says
Pumpkin carrot cake sounds delicious! A new to me flavor combination!
Elizabeth says
Dara it is so good!
Mary says
Amazing and so pretty – and I just know they taste delicious!
You really are such an amazing baker Elizabeth.
Today I’m baking pumpkin breads – I always use the Libby’s kit version, good price at LIDL, but have just found a
Krusteaz kit (makes 4 loaves) at COSTCO so giving it a try!
Hope all is going well in your neck of the (pines) woods dear!
Elizabeth says
Mary you are far too kind but I thank you for the compliment. I love Libby’s pumpkin bread, might I suggest adding a few nuts, cranberries or chocolate?
Have a great day and thank you again my friend.
Melba says
So pretty! They look super delicious!
Elizabeth says
Thank you Melba!
Marie says
Hmmm I never thought how tricky black frosting would be! Thanks for sharing your tips!
Elizabeth says
Thank you Marie.
Crystal says
These are so cute and the look delicious too!
Elizabeth says
Thank you Crystal!
Karins Kottage says
Pumpkin carrot cake? My two very favorite fall foods all in one! I can’t wait to try this recipe! Pinned Come link up to my party https://karinskottage.com/2021/10/karins-kottage-wednesday-linky-party.html
Elizabeth says
Karin this recipe is a little complicate but it is so good, as I said in the tip section, go to the original recipe and read thru it just in case I missed something as the cake recipe is a little different than cupcakes.
Juliet says
Spooktacular! When I saw them on Instagram I couldn’t wait to get over here. I want to make them and eat every single one … right now! xo
Elizabeth says
Juliet you are so sweet. They are scrumptious and I guarantee that you would eat them all. Have a wonderful weekend my friend!
Regina says
These not only sound yummy but look absolutely adorable. Love your decorating of them!
I’ve got to get my halloween plans moving! P
Elizabeth says
Thank you Regina!
Juliet | A Loverly Life says
These cupcakes are so adorable. Perfect for Halloween. They look frightfully yummy.
Elizabeth says
Thank you Juliet.
Christin says
These are so festive!! I bet they are delicious too!
Elizabeth says
Thank you Christin!
Rosemary Palmer says
These are almost too pretty to eat – almost. Cupcakes is my husbands favorite dessert – or snack.
Elizabeth says
Thank you Rosemary! They are so good.
Laurie Cover says
Hey there!
Popping Over from the Homestead Blog Hop to just say thanks for sharing your post with our readers!
Carrot cake is my favorite!!
Have a wonderful week!
Laurie