INGREDIENTS
For the cupcakes:
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 large carrots, finely grated (1 3/4 cup grated)
- 1/2 cup lightly packed sweetened flaked coconut
- 1/3 cup chopped toasted walnuts
- PEEPS® Marshmallow Bunnies
For the coconut cream cheese frosting:
- 1 8 ounce package cream cheese, slightly softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, slightly softened
- 1/8 tsp fine sea salt
- 3 3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp coconut extract
- coconut shavings or sprinkles to decorate
INSTRUCTIONS
For the cupcakes:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12 cup cupcake pan with paper liners
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the brown sugar, oil, buttermilk, eggs and vanilla on medium high speed until smooth, 1 minute. Reduce the speed to low and add half the flour mixture, then the carrots, coconut and walnuts, then the remaining flour mixture, beating until just blended after each addition.
- Divide the batter evenly among the liners and bake until the tops are just dry to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 21 to 23 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and cool completely before frosting with coconut cream cheese frosting.
For the coconut cream cheese frosting:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese, butter and salt on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 minutes. Reduce the speed to low, gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to medium add the coconut and vanilla extracts, and beat until fully blended, 1 to 2 minutes, making sure not to incorporate too much air.
To decorate:
- Tint frosting with natural food coloring into pastel shades. Cut PEEPS® Marshmallow Bunnies in half, and place the head and ears “peeping” out of the frosting. Cover the outside of the cupcake with pastel colored sprinkles or coconut shavings.
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