Description
Delightful Carrot Patch Cupcakes bring garden-fresh charm to dessert tables with whimsical cream cheese frosting and chocolate cookie soil. Bakers can craft these playful treats that surprise and delight guests with their creative presentation and rich, spiced flavor profile.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Base Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Sweeteners and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) whole milk
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) hot coffee or hot water
Decoration Ingredients:
- 10 Oreo cookies, crushed
- 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Orange food coloring
- Green food coloring
Instructions
- Prepare chocolate cupcake batter at 350F (175C). Whisk dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt) in one bowl. In another bowl, combine melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Incorporate milk and dry ingredients, mixing gently. Fold in hot coffee until batter becomes smooth and slightly thin.
- Fill cupcake liners approximately 3/4 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely.
- Create buttercream by beating butter until fluffy for 2-3 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix.
- Incorporate heavy cream and vanilla extract, beating until light and creamy. Separate frosting into two portions.
- Tint one portion orange for carrot decoration and another portion green for carrot tops. Transfer each colored frosting to separate piping bags with appropriate tips.
- Apply thin chocolate buttercream layer on each cupcake. Sprinkle crushed Oreo cookies to resemble dirt.
- Pipe orange frosting into carrot shapes using short, rounded cone-like strokes directly onto “dirt” surface.
- Finish by piping green frosting as leafy carrot tops on each orange carrot decoration.
Notes
- Chocolate coffee adds depth and richness to the cupcake batter, enhancing the overall flavor profile without making it too bitter.
- Room temperature ingredients ensure smoother mixing and more consistent texture in both cupcake batter and buttercream frosting.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant orange and green frosting colors that won’t thin out the buttercream’s consistency.
- Crushed Oreos create a realistic “dirt” effect and add delightful textural contrast to the smooth frosting and soft cupcake base.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg