The purists will hate me for this recipe.
But I’m about to toot my own horn anyway. Because these cupcakes are absolutely delicious. And the frosting tastes like real frosting. Almost buttercream style. It’s weird. When a paleo dessert works in my kitchen, it’s like magic. Paleo magic. The roommates and my wod buddy Jake all liked them. I get excited when a bro like sweets. Bros that don’t, make me uncomfortable. And weird me out. Saying you don’t like sweets is like saying you don’t like hugs. Everyone likes hugs dude. Freak people don’t like hugs. Fact.
I hate when I get home at 8:30pm from the gym and want to eat the world and, in turn, forget to chew. Seriously, my poor digestive system must be so confused and frightened by the huge chunks of food that are dropped into my stomach. Gross visual. But for reals, all enjoyment of the food is out the door at that point in the night. Such a shame. I really enjoy food.
Ok, Easter Weekend is almost here. That means one thing to me, chocolate. Oh stop being offended. That’s all I ever did on Easter was egg hunting for chocolate. Yet another holiday we stuff our faces on. Silly. So instead of egg hunting this year, I think I’ll just workout and grocery shop. No better holiday to me than one that is spent in a grocery store. Fact.
But to fill your holiday platters, here are a few recipes from the archives that might help convert your family to paleo without them even knowing it. Just never use the word “diet” or “paleo”. That leads to failure. People don’t like being told how to eat. You might as well be kidnapping their children.
I don’t know what people really eat on Easter because all I consumed was mass amounts of chocolate bunnies filled with creme filled goods, so I’m just throwing sh*t out there. I’m really just picking my favorites.
Breakfast/Brunch:
Dinner:
Roasted Grape and Onion Pork Chops
Date and Shallot Rosemary Chicken
Blood Orange Salsa over Pecan Encrusted Tilapia
Side Dishes:
Sweet Curried Cauliflower Soup
Desserts:
Easter Weekend: Double Decker Carrot Cake Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the carrot cupcakes
- 3 large carrots, shredded (about 1.5 cups worth)
- 1 cup almond flour/meal
- 2 eggs, whisked
- 1/4 cup Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil, melted
- 1 tablespoon Raw Honey
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1/4 cup raisins (optional)
For the frosting
- 1.5 cups raw cashews (unsalted)
- 5 tablespoons Coconut Cream Concentrate
- 1/3 cup canned coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon Raw Honey
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Shred your carrots in your food processor with the shredding attachment or use a grater.
- Add all the carrot cupcake ingredients to a large bowl and mix thoroughly to combine.
- Place cupcake ingredients into a muffin tin lined with paper liners or silicone liners (like I use). Should fill 10-12 muffins.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes.
- Now on to make the frosting!
- Add your cashews and turn on until you get a chunky meal.
- Then add your 5 tablespoons of coconut creme concentrate.
- Once that has combined, add your coconut milk, honey, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- When you get a paste/frosting, taste to see if you would like any salt added.
- Once your cupcakes are done baking, let cool COMPLETELY, cut in half and place frosting between the two halves and on top of your cupcake.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon or extra shredded carrot OR a bit or orange zest!
Recipe Notes
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More Carrot Recipes:
Blueberry Carrot Cake Parfaits
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I am PUMPED about these FYI because I found Health-Bent’s carrot cupcakes recipe today, which I am sure is amazing, but I really didn’t want to use dairy OR sugar in the frosting like they suggest. So this is amazing! I’m the “cupcake queen” in my family and the decision last year was grad school or culinary school. I chose grad school because I like kids and want to open a dietary restriction culinary school for kids with special needs. Maybe it can be PALEO!!!! Since I recently went PALEO the fam is sad I won’t be bringing a cupcake to Easter. (crap!) SO YAY! I’ll make these! Get on with your rad self, Juli! Woot!
Health-Bent’s cupcakes are SO good!! They were the first paleo cupcakes I ever had and I instantly fell in love! Hope you like them!!
That looks amazing I’m going to have to give it a shot right away. What else can you use coconut cream for?
eating. off the spoon. daily.
Omg. I was just going to get up and make these right now, but damn I’m out of carrots! Think I will be making these with my breakfast. I love all of your recipes. If I was one of your roommates I think I would gain 5 lbs a day!
Lol my roommates luckily don’t eat much anyways, so they’re doing ok.
Pure. Genius. Please continue to throw culinary magic my way.
Lol I will try my best Shelby!
Juli! You are AMAZING! I can’t wait to try these this weekend. Thank you for providing the best Paleo recipes on the planet!
haha thanks Jana, means a lot to me :)
Thanks for the recipe! These look amazing. I pinned it: http://pinterest.com/pin/91690542383645211/
Thanks so much Eryn!
You are the best! I can’t wait to try these. My mouth is watering just from the pics and the ingredients! Have an awesome Easter!
yay!! hope you like them!
I would like the mexican hash, followed by a leg of lamb, and finished up with a caramel pecan bar please!
sounds fantastic
I second that, Katie!
These look LEGIT delicious! & you made me laugh so hard when you said you’re so hungry that you forget to chew, LOLOL
*sigh* Another recipe to put on the After Whole 30 list…can’t wait to try this one, either!!
I’m going to try my best tonight to not forget
What up julie!!!!!!! Its Kat over in Cali ….Meow!!!!! Better bet your ass im making these bad boys!! Im so stoked you did this recipe….freaking LOVE carrot cake especially before my non paleo days SO this lil creation just made my inner fat kid sing with joy!!!!!!
oh hells yeah!! hope you tried them out!!
Carrot cake is pretty much my reason for living. Thank you for this!
right there with you
I can’t wait to try these! I strayed from your website last week and tried 2 recipes from a different website and both were fails! I am back and I am going to stick to your recipes because they always turn out so delish! Thank you for being you!
WHAT!?!? never again please Jamee, never again.
Am having my family over for coffee this weekend, will definetely try this! But I have been wondering and wanted to ask about the almond butter, do you make it yourself or buy?
both. i usually buy it out of the fresh grinder though. I like that better
Mine are cooling right now!!! I can’t wait to frost them and eat one! :) you rock Juli!!
Hope they turned out delish Cassi!
Holy poop! I made sweet potato enchiladas tonight (and honestly, it ended up being more casserole/lasagna like) and it was EPIC! Seriously, that’s most def one of your best. Happy Easter, enjoy your chocolate!
That’s awesome Stephanie, glad you liked them!
I have a carrot cake muffin recipe that is amazing. It is grain free and dairy free…but it has coconut sugar in it. Whatever though, I totally eat the sh*t out of them anyway.
I heart coconut sugar, so so much
Where can you buy coconut cream concentrate?? Went to Sprouts and the guy was like “that has high fructose corn syrup in it, so you won’t find that here!” Doubtful!!
Lol no high fructose corn syrup in it. It’s made of coconut haha. But you have to find that online at tropicaltraditions.com (I have a link on the right side) or make your own coconut butter!
hey to all…. made these little devils for family dessert today… will let you know BUT Julie still having big problems with getting your dessert recipes to rise…. help me out girl!
made the chicken and shallots last night HUGE DELICIOUS!!!!!
Where do you live rhonda? I haven’t had any issues with that yet…
i am in philadelphia… family ate the cupcakes, they were flat as can be :) any insight is appreciated…did my crossfit yesterday.love it!
I honestly have no idea Rhonda, none of my muffins or cupcakes have turned out flat…
I made these over the weekend – Needless to say they tasted great! But I had the same issue, they didn’t rise.
Do you think it might be an issue with my Almond flour? I’ve always thought it wasn’t finely ground enough to substitute for normal flour in cake recipes so I’ve always tried to stay away from them.
It could be, but I doubt it. I’m sorry they didn’t rise!
Maybe you need fresh baking soda/baking powder.
We just started a more paleo-centric diet and have tried a few recipes on this site. This recipe really takes the “cake”! :) We were craving something carb-y/consistency of a baked good and this did the trick. It really is delicious. We were bad and added more honey to the batter and more coconut milk, honey, and concentrate to the frosting (and of course, more spices to accomodate for that). It turned out great. Thank you for this and all your other fabulous recipes!!
That’s great Joanna, glad it helped out!
I could cry – these look SO good.
Glad you liked them!
I made these over the weekend and LOVED them! This recipe is awesome! I have been eating them all weekend.. probably more then I should be eating them but whatever they are so freakin good.
I couldn’t stop eating those damn things!
My daughter has been begging for carrot cake and I have been avoiding it because of the frosting, didn’t know how to sub it for the traditional cream cheese crap!. Can’t wait to make these. Thanks for sharing all your yummy ideas.
Hope you like them!
Is coconut cream concentrate just the solid stuff that floats to the top in a jar of coconut milk? Can I just spoon that stuff out and get rid of the water?
no it’s not Jenn, it’s like coconut butter, which is completely different than the coconut milk stuff in the can
Help! I made these last night and had a problem. The frosting totally did not turn out at all! It did not taste good and I followed your recipe to the letter. The only thing I could do differently is to purchase the coconut cream concentrate instead of making coconut butter. Any thoughts?
I would guess that would have to be the only thing that would help Sue….
I can’t wait to try these!! I’ve been experimenting with Paleo after a year of stomach issues then finding out I’m allergic to gluten. I used to be a huge baker of all things gluten. Super depressed when I found out I was allergic. However these look amazing!! and they give me hope that gluten free/paleo baking can be delicious :)
I can’t find coconut cream concentrate anywhere! How do I make my own like suggested at the end of the recipe? These cupcakes sound AMAZING and I can’t wait to try them!!
check out my recipe for coconut butter on my website!! or you can buy coconut cream concentrate on tropical traditions website!
This is a random question, but I am allergic to almonds (no other nuts which is odd) — can you recommend any substitutions to almond meal in your recipes?
Any other nut will do. pecan or walnuts make a good meal. just use a food processor to make your own!
I can’t find ur recipe for coconut butter, can u post a link?
These turned out soooo good! I picked up a small food processor at the thrift store the other day, and used it to make my own coconut butter. Worked wonderfully…. and now I’m trying reeeaaally hard to not eat all the cupcakes at once.
I have had several failed attempts at paleo frosting, but wow this hit the spot! So happy I can have carrot cake again.
I am making these today. My son who is 6 is paleo with us and I would love to be able to give him a treat after doing a week of chores! I think I will make these tonight with him and give them a try. We love your recipes so far and you have made our transition much easier. He was obsessed with the chocolate waffles this morning.
thanks for the paleo frosting. my 6 year old has recently become very into cake baking and frosting….can’t wait to try this out (having all this cake mix and buttercream around is killing me!). Can’t wait to try this out!
Did you miss an ingredient? I read it over and over again and my dough was so dry and falling apart. Mine wouldn’t rise either. I ended up adding almond milk in order to swallow it. Otherwise they were great and my daughter loved them!
These are awesome. I just made some and I love the taste and textures.
Hi, I’m thinking of making this recipe for my daughter’s first bday this weekend.
Have you tried this as an entire cake? I’m just wondering if the cake would cook all the way through if I made two giant cupcakes?
Thanks :)
I haven’t tried that…but maybe it’s worth a shot!!
I concur with Danielle. In making these cupcakes for a boss who observes the Paleo way of life, I also followed the recipe to the “t” with the ONLY exception of processed tupelo clover honey in place of the raw honey, but according to my research that should not make a difference. Should there have been coconut flour and agave in this cake recipe? My cake did not rise and was much darker than yours. Perhaps the different brands of these specialty ingredients makes a difference?
*Hopeful Meg*
Did u make cupcakes or a whole cake?
Hi! I really love your blog!
I made these cupcakes and they turned out delicious even though I didn’t had coconut cream and switched the honey with rub (dates syrup). I also added a banana to the topping…
They were soooo good! Thank you!
The photos you show are lovely, and I followed the recipe exactly as well. They didn’t rise and were much darker. I even used the raw honey. Oh well, I don’t really buy into the concept of paleo treats anyway! lol maybe they knew I didn’t believe and them and that’s why they didn’t rise.
These are DELICIOUS! I haven’t even made the frosting yet and I’m completely in love with them… in fact, I’ve printed off the recipe for the paleo carrot cake pancakes because I’m obsessed with the cupcakes.
Just found your blog a couple of days ago and absolutely love it! I’ve actually laughed out loud whilst reading your comments…Anyway, this is the first recipe I saw and had too make. However, I started with the frosting and never got around to the cake…ate the frosting right out of the blender!! Eventually I’ll get around to making the cake….:)
Fantastic recipe! Made for my daughter’s birthday two days ago and it was a complete success! The ‘icing’ was deliciously sweet and certainly one I’d use as a topping on other paleo-like cupcakes. I took pictures… they looked as good as they tasted :)
These are beautiful – loved them!! thanx for sharing
Just wanted to say that these are FANTASTIC. I made these for my daughter’s first birthday party yesterday and she loved it! We kept the leftovers after she smashed into it for ourselves ;)
I made these tonight for my wifes B-day. Mine also appear to have not risen much. I have a question about shredded carrot. I used a hand grater for mine and the chunks were pretty large. In your photo it looks really fine, did you grate and then chop the carrot with the food processor? I think I could have made my almond flour finer, I used the food processor for that too. They should taste good, still!! Thanks.
I wouldn’t say my carrots were super fine, probably in the middle of a regular grater and food processor grater.
Thanks JB I’m making a batch today for her actual birthday. The ones on Friday tasted really great but were on the chunky side. I’ll try making the almonds finer and hitting the carrots witht he chopper for a bit and see what that does to the texture. We had no problem polishing off 12 in a day, if that tells you anything! Oh and the kids (4,2) love them.
The finer chop really helped, they rose pretty well and the texture was better. My nieces even loved them.
Ohhh emmm geee! Juli, you have seriously saved my sanity. I am a baker at heart and ever since starting Paleo 2 1/2 years ago I have been at such a loss for being in the kitchen and creating. I love every recipe you make and it makes me excited for baking again! Thank you for loving healthy foods and for being freaking hilarious, it’s nice to know there is a real person behind the blog!
I made this as a cake and it took 30 minutes to bake. It has to be one of the BEST carrot cakes I have ever had! It was so moist and absolutely delicious.
Oh, and BTW, I love your website and your blogs, you are hilarious!
Yay! Thank you for coming to report back about making this as a cake. I have been wondering about the cooking time and how it would turn out but hadn’t gotten around to testing it.
I just completed my whole 30 challenge and just finished baking these glorious cupcakes as my dessert reward for a job well done! They smell and look incredible! (Waiting to dive in until after dinner with my whole 30 partner)!!! Thank you for the wonderful recipe!
Great recipe, so glad I found it. Love the sweetness from such a small amount of honey. thank you
I REEEEEALLY want to try this recipe for Easter this year. Like wicked bad. Especially since im a cake decorator and since its my job to supply pretty desserts, I get requests – like carrot cake. Here’s my problem: my 2 boys AND my grandmother have tree nut allergies. I saw the recipe for the carrot cake donuts which I know are a different species of baked deliciousness but I don’t have a donut pan. Any thoughts on using coconut flour in this cake recipe rather than almond? I know it’s much drier but I’m still super new to experimenting with paleo baking. (Although I made your sweet potato brownies yesterday – AMAZING!!!) thanks!!
I doubled this recipe and made it in a 9×13 pan (@350 appx 20 mins) turned out fantastic!!!! Love the frosting not too sweet- yum :)
Definitely gonna try these this weekend miss my carrot cake! Question…what about this recipe would make the purists hate you??? Seems pretty legit to me what am I missing?
just because i’m turning things into paleo goodies and that’s not recommended by paleo purists
Why don’t I have carrots in my kitchen right now??
Mmm mouth = salivating. If I were to make a cake out this, how long would it cook for? I have aspirations of making a cake in the shape of a bunny rabbit this weekend. And if I could use this recipe then I would be the happiest girl ever. Thanks in advance!
i have no clue, but just keep an eye on it and stick a toothpick through it. usually when it becomes fragrant, it’s getting close
Since you have cashews in the frosting, would Cashew Butter work? I have some that I would like to find a use for. How would I substitute/adjust the measurements? Thanks for all you do!!!
it’s worth a try, but not completely sure. it will at least taste delicious
Hey Juli,
Do you think I can use coconut flour instead of almond? I’ve been trying to cut down on nut consumption. Thanks!
Omg. Thank you so much. Finally a paleo dessert that is amazing. I was getting discouraged after trying from other websites. But these are great. My icing is brown and not white like yours but still good none the less.
Just finished making these and they’re delicious!!! My frosting came out with more of a cashew butter like consistency. Maybe it’s because I made it with homemade coconut butter? Still tastes delicious though!!
probably not, maybe just a bit too much cashews? but not totally sure
I don’t know what I did wrong… Seemed like there wasn’t enough liquid in the batter. The batter was crumbly and the muffins ended being the same way
:(
Not that they will last long but did you keep the leftovers on the counter or in the fridge?? Love Austin!!! Hope you had a good time!!!
fridge!
Made it into a cake, might have doubled the honey in the frosting…it was AH-MAZING. Best carrot cake I have ever had, and that’s sayin’ something. Also made your pork chops with grapes/sweet potato gratin for Easter dinner. Rave reviews all around. Love your website, and thank you for not being a Paleo purist cuz I’m not either and I NEED sweet treats.
Making these NOW! (Minus the frosting ’cause I don’t have the ingredients. Oh well! There is always almond butter or something I can eat them with, if needed).
Thank you SO much! Your blog has been seriously helping me out with my Paleo journey. I’ve been gluten free for several months. Paleo is an entirely new level for me. But I am definitly excited about it! Okay – now to serious business (as I head to my fridge to grab the carrots….)
I made this into a 3 layered cake for my bf’s birthday and he *loved* it….his entire (non paleo) family also loved it and said that it was just as delicious (if not more) a couple days later. thanks for making it so easy to get brownie points ;)
I made these without the carrots (didn’t have any on hand), added a little bit of applesauce and used 2 T of regular honey. They came out as 6 perfect donuts, which I then dipped in honey. I ate-oops-2 of them after dinner! This recipe was delicious!
Allergic to cashews :( Can I used the frosting for the donuts instead?!
absolutely
I accidentally used coconut flour instead of almond flour…..now my batter is super crumbly. Any suggestions to save it?
you would have to add a ton more carrot to the recipe and other things. i don’t think it would come out nearly the same though
Thank goodness for your recipes. You’re like, a little food angel sent down from god. I’m pumped to try these for Easter. Especially since I’ve been swamped with final papers and basically living off of Lara bars and eggs. Ugh. Not that I dont like those. I have been making some of your recipes though when I get time and have yet to be disappointed! Loved the coconut chicken tenders. Best part is, going home for the holiday means mom is baking these for me! That’s a win. Thank you!!!! Keep em comin’ :)
Hello! I wanted to make these as my paleo Easter treat! But I wanted to do it as a layer cake with 2 round 9″ cake pans. Do you think the recipe needs to be adjust at all? Maybe doubled? Thanks!
probably but i haven’t tried it that way
Any idea how many calories?
no
How can I make sub the honey for xylitol or stevia?
Not sure, haven’t tried
OMG- my daughter and I made this yesterday for easter dessert, everyone LOVED it! The recipe turned out amazing.
We made it into a small cake vs. cupcakes (just had to cook for a bit longer).
Thanks so much for the amazing recipe!
Hey Julie!! Wanting to makes these for my husband’s birthday and I’m super stoked only I’m confused about the icing. When you say “add you cashews and turn on until you get a chunky meal” where am I adding them to and what am I turning on? Sorry, maybe my page is missing something? lol or mayby I’m an idiot? Let me know! LOVE the show. I listen every week!!! AND I also have acne issues and just got started on vivant and have noticed a big difference in even just a few days!!!! Love your recommendations!!!
food processor!
Awesome carrot cake and frosting!