Carrot Cake Cupcakes + Honey Cream Cheese Frosting

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baked, cake, carrot, cheese, cream, cupcakes, food, frosting, healthy, recipes

I’ll pick a good ol’ carrot cake over almost any cake, everytime. I love mine slightly on the denser side, chockful of shredded carrots, nuts and dried fruits. Warm and earthy, with a generous measure of spices – cinnamon, cloves and a grating of nutmeg. Sweet, fruity notes from the olive oil. Not forgetting that creamy ivory-hued frosting that would either make or break the cake. Amber honey whipped into the cream-cheese frosting gave just a little floral sweetness without being cloying. Lastly, these cupcakes were topped with a whole pecan each for an edible (and healthy) garnish

It only gets better when reduced to handy single servings, all wrapped up in cupcake liners. No more struggling with getting the perfect slice or having to take out plates and forks. Great for desserts. Breakfast? Even better! Well, carrot cake cupcakes. I’m sold. 

Banana Cupcakes with Mascarpone Frosting

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baked, banana, cakes, cheese, cupcakes, dessert, food, frosting, fruit, recipes

Nobody likes eating squishy, over-ripe bananas. To most people,  the sight of the ugly black spots covering their once sunny yellow skin, is simply unappetising. However, these are the ones (with the most pronounced flavour & sweetness) that make the most amazing banana cakes!

Instead of the original loaf cake, I decided on cupcakes to bring to a gathering. A no-fail recipe which promises tender, moist cakes that packs some intense banana flavour, hence the name “Seriously Banana” banana (cup)cake. I used muscovado sugar here because the warm, molasses-flavour really compliments the bananas and spices. The result? A delicately-crumbed interior with specks of bananas provides just enough structure to hold up swirls of smooth, tangy mascarpone frosting. The cake is pretty darn tasty on its own, but a little crowning of creamy goodness will make them the perfect tea-time treat.