For over a few weeks, I have been doing some spring cleaning on the blog by going through some of my old posts to see which ones need an updated. Embarrassingly, back when I first started blogging in 2013 I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t know much about writing recipes or taking photos that will make people want to make that recipe.
Now 4 years later, I learned so much that I feel like it would be better if I were to go back and give a face lift to some of the old recipes that I know to be 100% foolproof and delicious.
![Gluten-free, maple and banana sweetened carrot coconut cupcakes](https://foolproofliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/29-3969-post/Carrot-Coconut-Cupcakes-1307.jpg)
These maple sweetened coconut carrot cupcakes recipe is one of those recipes. It was first published back in 2014. Since then it has been my favorite carrot cupcake recipe.
![Gluten-free, maple and banana sweetened carrot coconut cupcakes](https://foolproofliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/29-3969-post/Carrot-Coconut-Cupcakes-1348.jpg)
I love it because (1) it is sweetened with maple syrup and banana and (2) it is so different than your usual carrot cake muffin/cupcake recipe. As you’ll see in the recipe below, the batter is flavored with cardamom, cinnamon, and allspice. The flavor combination of carrot, banana, and maple syrup mixed in with those spices create a surprisingly delicious batter. One that I go back every time I need a carrot cupcake recipe.
The frosting is made with cream cheese mixed in with a little bit of maple syrup and lime juice. The addition of the frosting truly takes this recipe to another level making it a delicious cupcake. However, if you want to omit the frosting and just serve it as muffins you could totally do so. They are so moist that they would be perfectly fine just by themselves.
![Maple Sweetened Carrot Coconut Cupcakes](https://foolproofliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/29-3969-post/Carrot-Coconut-Cupcakes-1340.jpg)
The old post, photos, and writing are below. You will see in the old photos that I sprinkled them with pistachios. Unfortunately, I didn’t have access to pistachios so I used hazelnuts, but you can use any nut you like. Either way, these carrot coconut cupcakes are a total show stopper, and still to this day, a recipe that I make very often.
If You Liked This Carrot Recipe, You Might Also Like:
- Carrot Cake Smoothie – Carrot cake in the form of smoothie made without the use of bananas. Vegan & Sugar-free
- Whole Roasted Carrots – Take your roasted carrots to the next level with this 30-minute recipe.
- Dairy and Gluten-Free Carrot Cake – Need a recipe for carrot cake with no dairy and gluten? Look no further. My favorite gluten-free blogger, Alana, just shared this amazing recipe.
- Roasted Carrot Hummus – Up your dip game with this Mediterranean classic made with sweet roasted carrots. Topped off with feta cheese, walnuts, and dill, this hummus recipe will knock your socks off.
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It is raining like crazy outside as I am typing this blog post. Virgin Islands are getting their share of the rain caused by the tropical depression Bertha. Though most of the time, hurricanes and tropical depressions are very serious and scary, since I know that Bertha is one that is not as dangerous, I am enjoying the dark, stormy, and windy weather outside. As soon as I am finished with writing this, I am going to spend the rest of my Saturday afternoon reading my book with a cup of tea accompanied by one of these cupcakes.
![Carrot, Banana, and Coconut Cupcakes](https://foolproofliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Carrot-Banana-and-Coconut-Cupcakes-2182.jpg)
![Carrot, Banana, and Coconut Cupcakes](https://foolproofliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Carrot-Banana-and-Coconut-Cupcakes-2077.jpg)
I first made these cupcakes a couple of days ago to take to a dinner party that we were invited. Knowing that one of the friends in the party has celiac disease and therefore cannot eat gluten, I wanted to make something that she could enjoy as well. And Dwight has been asking for a carrot cake for some time now. I thought it would be nice if I could find a gluten-free carrot cake recipe and make it take with us.
They ended up being delicious and very popular so much so that all the ladies in the party asked for the recipe.
![Gluten-free, maple and banana sweetened carrot coconut cupcakes](https://foolproofliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/29-3969-post/Carrot-Coconut-Cupcakes-1326.jpg)
The best part of these cupcakes is that they are not only gluten-free but also they are guilt-free. Because the “flours” used in this recipe are made up of ground almonds, chickpea flour, and shredded unsweetened coconut. Instead of using granulated sugar, you use maple syrup, shredded carrot, a mashed ripe banana flavored with spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and all spice. Then you top it off with a frosting made with cream cheese, honey, and limejuice.
After you sprinkle it with chopped pistachios they are simply irresistible.
OTHER CARROT RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE
Maple Sweetened Carrot Coconut Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
- 1/3 cup 3 ounces unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon green-pod cardamom seeds freshly ground
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground all spice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups 5 ounces almond flour
- 1/2 cup (2 ounces) buckwheat flour
- 1/2 cup (2 ounces) unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/3 cups 4 medium carrots shredded carrots,
- 1 large ripe banana mashed
- 4 egg whites
For the frosting:
- 1 (8 ounces) package cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1/4 cup pistachios or hazelnuts chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 Degrees. Line a 12-muffin tin with paper muffin cups or rounds of parchment paper.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Off the heat, stir in the maple syrup, ground cardamom, cinnamon, all spice, and vanilla extract. Set aside to cool.
- In the mean time, mix the ground almond flour, buckwheat flour, unsweetened coconut, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.
- Add in the shredded carrot and mashed banana and mix until thoroughly incorporated. Set aside.
- Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until softly peaking, 3-4 minutes.
- Gently fold the egg whites into the flour and carrot mixture.
- Pour in the butter and spice mixture. Stir until smooth.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, filling each cup to about three-quarters full.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until golden.
- In the mean time, make the frosting: Whisk together the cream cheese, honey, and lime juice in a small bowl.
- Allow muffins to cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack.
- When ready to eat, spoon each muffin with a tablespoon (or more) of the frosting and sprinkle it with chopped pistachios or hazelnuts.
Nutrition
Recipe adapted from The Green Kitchen cookbook.
fatimah
so yummy! and the photos are gorgeous!
Aysegul Sanford
Thank you Fatimah!
Michelle
These look delicious. Think I’ll try them with a vegan butter (I’m vegan) plus chickpea water as a substitute for the egg whites. They look really nice tho, and lovely photos 🙂 Thanks!!
Aysegul Sanford
Wow! Please let me know how it turns out Michelle. Thank you.
Ruth
Hi,
I made these and they were delish but I used plain ‘normal’ flour instead of almond and gluten free flour. I was just wondering if this would affect the baking time because I had them in the oven for about an hour and even after that the inside was still gooey. Is that their normal texture? I also made your granola yesterday too-delightful!
Thanks, Ruth (in Saudi Arabia)
Aysegul Sanford
Hi Ruth,
I am so glad to hear that you like the granola. It is a staple in our house. My husband loves it. 🙂
For the cupcakes: Yes, that could be the reason. What makes this recipe so special, in my opinion, is the almond flour. Almond flour bakes much faster than the regular flour. In terms of the inside being gooey, I do not think that it should be like that. Instead it should be moist but cake-like crumbly.
I am not sure if they sell almond flour in where you live but it is quite easy to make at home. All you have to do is to put some unsalted almonds in a food processor and pulse them several times being careful not to overdo it. You do not want it to turn into almond butter.:)
Thank you so much for stopping by! Let me know if I can help in any other way.
Best,
Aysegul – Ice
Maggie
Love those cupcakes! I really like carrot cake and banana bread, but imagine to combine them together! I don’t know about cooking gluten free food. Hope the whole purpose flour will work just fine for me.
Aysegul Sanford
Hi Maggie,
I don’t really know about gluten-free cooking either but I am learning. I have been experimenting with coconut and almond flour lately and it has been really fun.
Still, I have a long way to go…
Thank you so much for stopping by.
Cheers – Ice
Melissa Williams
I don’t know alot either about gluten free cooking but like you I to am learning..I plan to makes these cupcakes..
Aysegul Sanford
It is all a learning experience for all of us. These cupcakes are really good. Especially if you like cardamom. 🙂
Russell from Chasing Delicious
What beautiful and delicious cupcakes! I am loving every ounce of this recipe.
Aysegul Sanford
Hi Russell,
These cupcakes are delicious.
I am glad you liked it.
Cheers!
Ice
PS:For the last 30 minutes, I have been surfing on your blog and I must say I am loving every ounce of it! 🙂 – I am a fan now! :))
Chrissann
Irresistible is right – these cupcakes rock!! 🙂