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

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.

MORNING GLORY MUFFINS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350˚ and arrange two racks evenly spaced in the oven. Line two muffin pans with paper muffin cups.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil and vanilla. Add the carrots, apple, pineapple, pecans, coconut and raisins and stir together. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined. Scoop the batter with a standard (2 1/4-inch) ice cream scoop (I use rounded scoops of batter) into the prepared muffin cups. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Place the pans on a baking rack to cool and serve the muffins warm or at room temperature.

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.

CREAM CHEESE FILLED CARROT MUFFINS

Steps:

• Puree carrots in a food processor until smooth.
• In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and spices.
• In a small bowl, whisk the pureed carrots, egg and oil; stir into dry ingredients until moistened.
• Fill 12 greased muffin cups one-third full. In a smal mixing bowl beat filling ingredients until smooth.
• Drop cream cheese mixture by tablespoonfuls into center of each muffin. Top with remaining batter.
• Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
• Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan.

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.

CARROT CREAM CHEESE MUFFINS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with paper liners.
• In a large bowl, stir together the flour, 1/3 cup of sugar, and baking soda. Add the margarine, buttermilk, egg substitute, orange juice, and vanilla, mix until smooth, then stir in the carrots and raisins. Fill each of the prepared muffin cups 2/3 full.
• In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, and remaining 1/3 cup of sugar, until smooth, then stir in the walnuts. Drop a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture onto the top of each cup of muffin batter.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the pan and place on a wire rack to cool completely.