Natalia's Favorite Carrot Cake Muffins

Carrot Cake Muffins

3 cups (270 grams) grated raw carrot (about 4 peeled carrots)

2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour

1 1/4 cups (250 grams) granulated white sugar

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3 eggs

1/2 teaspoon (3.5 grams) salt

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 cup coconut (sweetened)3 large eggs

3/4 cup (180 ml)  canola oil

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Place paper liners in 18 muffin cups.
2. Peel and finely grate the carrots and set aside.
3. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. Stir in the coconut. Set aside.
4. In a separate bowl whisk together the eggs, oil, and vanilla extract. 
5. Fold the wet ingredients, along with the grated carrot , into the flour mixture, stirring just until moistened. DO NOT OVER STIR!
6. Evenly divide the batter between the prepared muffin cups and bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  
7. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack. After about 10 minutes remove the muffins from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
Makes 12 standard-sized muffins.

 

Cream Cheese Frosting: (optional)

1/4 cup (56 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

4 ounces (1/2 cup) (110 grams) cream cheese, room temperature

1/3 cup confectioners' (powdered or icing) sugar

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1.  Beat the butter and cream cheese until very smooth with no lumps.
2. Gradually beat in the  powdered sugar until fully incorporated and smooth. Beat in the vanilla extract.

3. Place a dollop of the cream cheese frosting on the top of each muffin.