Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Pineapple–Cream Cheese Frosting

Who doesn’t love carrot cake—or cupcakes? These luscious beauties, trimmed down with egg whites, applesauce, and low-fat cream cheese for the frosting, encourage you to savor your favorite treat in a handy travel size!

Makes 16 cupcakes; serves 16 • Prep Time: 25 minutes • Cook Time: 20 minutes

CUPCAKES

11/3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup skim milk

1/3 cup wildflower or clover honey

1/4 cup refrigerated egg white product or egg whites

1 tablespoon grapeseed oil or canola oil

11/2 cups finely shredded carrots

1/2 cup golden raisins

PINEAPPLE–CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

8 ounces Neufchâtel or low-fat cream cheese, at room temperature

1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, with juice

1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, or more as necessary

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line 16 muffins cups with paper liners and set aside.
2. For the cupcakes, place the rolled oats in a food processor or blender and process until the mixture resembles coarse flour. Transfer the oat flour to a medium bowl and stir in the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. In a second medium bowl, stir the applesauce, milk, honey, egg white product, and oil together until well blended. Stir the applesauce mixture into the oat flour mixture until just moistened. Stir in the carrots and raisins. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling two-thirds full.
3. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
4. For the frosting, place the cheese and pineapple in a bowl and mix with a hand mixer until fluffy. Beat in the confectioners’ sugar until the frosting has a spreadable consistency. Frost the cupcakes.

Calories 160 • Total Fat 4.5g • Saturated Fat 2g • Carbohydrates 26.5g • Protein 4g • Dietary Fiber 1.5g • Sodium 102mg

 

TREAT OF THE DAY

The American Film Institute’s Top 10 Inspiring Movies

 

In 2006, the American Film Institute (AFI) jury of fifteen hundred film artists, critics, and historians selected their list of the most inspiring movies of all time. Here is their Top 10:

 

It’s a Wonderful Life

To Kill a Mockingbird

Schindler’s List

Rocky

Mr. Smith Goes

to Washington

E.T.—The Extra-Terrestrial

The Grapes of Wrath

Breaking Away

Miracle on 34th Street

Saving Private Ryan