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Zucchini Ginger Cupcakes

4.2

(57)

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Photo by John Kernick

These delicate, lightly spiced cupcakes are reminiscent of carrot cake. Grated zucchini makes them exceptionally moist.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    1 hr

  • Yield

    Makes 12 cupcakes

Ingredients

For cupcakes

1/3 cup crystallized ginger (1 3/4 oz), coarsely chopped
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh orange zest
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups coarsely grated zucchini (2 medium)
3/4 cup mild olive oil
3/4 cup mild honey
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla

For frosting

8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh orange zest

Special Equipment

a muffin pan with 12 (1/2-cup) cups; 12 paper liners

Preparation

  1. Bake cupcakes:

    Step 1

    Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Line muffin cups with liners.

    Step 2

    Pulse crystallized ginger in food processor until finely ground, then add flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, zest, salt, baking soda, and baking powder and pulse until combined.

    Step 3

    Whisk together zucchini, oil, honey, eggs, and vanilla in a medium bowl, then stir in flour mixture until just combined.

    Step 4

    Divide batter among muffin cups and bake until golden and a wooden pick or skewer inserted in center of a cupcake comes out clean, 20 to 24 minutes.

    Step 5

    Cool in pan on a rack 10 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan and cool completely, 1 hour.

  2. Make frosting:

    Step 6

    Beat together frosting ingredients with an electric mixer at high speed until combined well and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes.

    Step 7

    Frost tops of cooled cupcakes.

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