A mini carrot cake recipe provides a delightful and convenient twist on the classic dessert, creating small, individual cakes packed with the same delicious flavor.
These bite-sized treats are made with grated carrots, warm spices, and a creamy frosting, making them perfect for parties, gatherings, or simply enjoying a sweet snack.
Easy to make and serve, mini carrot cakes offer a charming presentation and a moist, flavorful experience in every bite.
Whether for a special occasion or a casual treat, these mini cakes are sure to impress and satisfy.
Why You’ll Love This Mini Carrot Cake Recipe
You’ll love this mini carrot cake recipe for its perfect balance of flavor and convenience. Each mini cake is wonderfully moist and tender, packed with spiced carrot goodness and topped with creamy cream cheese frosting.
These bite-sized treats are ideal for portion control and sharing, making them perfect for any occasion, from casual snacking to festive gatherings.
Plus, the recipe is quick and easy to make, ensuring you can enjoy delicious homemade carrot cake without a lot of fuss.
How To Prepare Mini Carrot Cake Recipe?
Recipe Overview
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 18-20 minutes
Total time: 40-42 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 200
Yield: 24 mini cupcakes
Tools Needed:
- Mini Muffin Tin,
- Paper Liners,
- Mixing Bowls,
- Whisk,
- Spatula
Ingredients:
For the cake:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
For the cream cheese frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How To Make Mini Carrot Cake Recipe
1. Prepare the cake:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
4. In a large bowl, cream together granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the oil and eggs one at a time.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, and mix until just combined.
6. Fold in the grated carrots and walnuts (if using).
7. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups.
8. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Let cool completely before frosting.
2. Make the cream cheese frosting:
10. In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth.
11. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until light and fluffy.
12. Frost cooled mini carrot cakes as desired.
Tips:
For extra flavor, add a pinch of cloves or ginger to the dry ingredients.
You can also use a food processor to grate the carrots for a finer texture.
For a richer flavor, use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour.
To make the mini carrot cakes even more moist, add a tablespoon of apple sauce to the batter.
Delicious Variations Mini Carrot Cake Recipe
1. Pineapple Coconut Carrot Cake
Add 1/4 cup shredded coconut to the batter along with the crushed pineapple. This variation gives the cakes a tropical flair and a bit of extra texture.
2. Raisin and Nut Carrot Cake
Mix in 1/4 cup raisins and 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter. This adds a sweet chewiness and a crunchy bite that complements the carrots perfectly.
3. Ginger Spice Carrot Cake
Increase the ground ginger to 1/2 teaspoon and add 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves to the dry ingredients. This enhances the spice profile and gives the cakes a deeper, warmer flavor.
4. Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
Substitute the vanilla extract in the cream cheese frosting with 1-2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup for a subtle maple flavor. This adds a unique twist to the classic frosting and pairs wonderfully with the spiced carrot cake.
5. Lemon Zest Carrot Cake
Add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest to the batter for a bright, citrusy flavor. You can also incorporate a bit of lemon juice into the cream cheese frosting for a refreshing, tangy touch.Top of Form
How To Make With More Delicious
1. Layer with Cream Cheese Frosting: Create mini layer cakes by adding a layer of cream cheese frosting between two mini cakes. This extra frosting layer adds richness and elevates the flavor.
2. Top with Candied Carrots: Garnish your mini cakes with candied carrot strips for a sweet and decorative touch that enhances both taste and presentation.
3. Add a Citrus Zest: Incorporate a bit of orange or lemon zest into the batter or frosting for a refreshing citrus twist that brightens up the flavor profile.
4. Drizzle with Caramel Sauce: Drizzle homemade or store-bought caramel sauce over the mini cakes for an indulgent and buttery layer of sweetness that pairs beautifully with the spiced carrot cake.
5. Sprinkle with Toasted Nuts: Finish off your mini cakes with a sprinkle of toasted nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, to add a crunchy texture and deepen the nutty flavor.Bottom of Form
Conclusion
Mini carrot cake recipe offer a charming and convenient way to enjoy a beloved classic dessert in a smaller, more manageable size.
With their moist, spiced cake and creamy frosting, they provide all the flavors of traditional carrot cake while making portion control easy.
Perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a celebration or a simple indulgence, these mini treats are both visually appealing and delicious.
More Delicious Carrot Cakes
Carrot Cake Recipe Without Nuts
Mary Berry Recipe For Carrot Cake
Mini Carrot Cake Recipe
Equipment
- Mini Muffin Tin,
- Paper Liners,
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Spatula
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts optional
For the cream cheese frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Prepare the cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the oil and eggs one at a time.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, and mix until just combined.
- Fold in the grated carrots and walnuts (if using).
- Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cool completely before frosting.
Make the cream cheese frosting:
- In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until light and fluffy.
- Frost cooled mini carrot cakes as desired.