Mini Date Nut Carrot Muffin Sandwiches With Cream Cheese Center Frosting Recipes

MINI DATE NUT CARROT MUFFIN SANDWICHES WITH CREAM CHEESE CENTER FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Spray 12 muffin tins with nonstick spray. In a medium bowl, stir muffin mix, bran, milk, and egg until just blended. Fold in carrots, dates, and confectioners' sugar. Be careful not to over-mix; the batter should be lumpy. Divide batter equally among the muffin tins. Bake until a toothpick inserted into center of muffin comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool slightly before frosting.
• To make the cream cheese frosting, combine the softened cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, and carrot shavings in a medium bowl; stir until well blended.
• Slice muffins in half, spread with the cream cheese frosting, and then sandwich together. Serve warm or at room temperature.

DATE MUFFINS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375˚ F. Butter 18 muffin cups and line with paper liners. In a medium saucepan, bring about 3 cups water to a boil over medium heat. Put the chopped dates in a medium bowl and cover with the hot water. Let the dates soften, about 10 minutes.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the 1 cup cool water, molasses, eggs, vanilla and salt; beat briefly to combine (the mixture may look curdled and runny).
• In another medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined (do not overmix).
• Drain the dates, discarding the liquid, and spread them out on a baking sheet to cool. Flatten the dates with the back of a spoon to crush any larger pieces. When cooled, stir the dates into the batter.
• Divide the batter among the muffin cups, filling them almost to the top. Bake in the middle of the oven until the muffins are golden brown and spring back when gently pressed, 20 to 27 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer the muffins to a rack to cool completely.

DATE-NUT MINI CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Line mini muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cardamom.
• In a large bowl, combine dates with the boiling water and butter. Stir until butter is melted and dates are soft, about 2 minutes. Stir in brown sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla. Add flour mixture, and stir just until combined. Stir in walnuts.
• Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool completely before removing cupcakes. Cupcakes can be stored overnight at room temperature, or frozen up to 1 month, in airtight containers.
• To finish, dollop crème fraîche on top of each cupcake. Serve immediately.

CREAM CHEESE CARROT MUFFINS

Steps:

• Place carrots in a food processor; cover and process until smooth. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and spices. In a small bowl, whisk the pureed carrots, egg and oil; stir into the dry ingredients just until moistened. , Fill 12 greased muffin cups one-third full. In a small bowl, beat the filling ingredients until smooth. Drop by tablespoonfuls into the center of each muffin. Top with remaining batter. , Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers.

FLUFFY CARROT MUFFINS WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease the bottoms only of 12 muffin cups, or line with baking cups. Sift together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
• Beat the eggs and sugar until frothy and lightened in color. Stir in the oil, vanilla extract, and grated carrot; fold in the flour mixture. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin tins.
• Bake in preheated oven until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove to cool on wire racks.
• Meanwhile, prepare the icing by beating together the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and confectioners' sugar until fluffy. Frost the cooled muffins and chill until ready to serve.