breaking tradition

When I married the Mr., I married into a tradition:

a carrot cake tradition!

The LaFuzes LOVE their carrot cake, and they have a family recipe to back up their love.  In my quest to eat healthy and keep the Mr. on a healthy track, I had to break the tradition in order to make him a special birthday treat.  That meant finding a recipe with not nearly as many calories as the original but with the same great taste.  And looking at the picture above is just evidence to how moist and carrot-y they are.  

 
Waist Friendly Carrot Cake Cupcakes (as long as you eat just one)

Ingredients:

2 1/4 c. flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. salt

2 c. grated carrot (about 4)

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. packed brown sugar

6 Tbst. softened butter

3 large eggs 

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 c. low-fat buttermilk

As I was baking I realized that I only had Christmas cupcake liners. Let's just call it Christmas in July err...June!

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees.

2. In a medium bowl mix flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt together, stirring with a whisk.  Stir in the grated carrot and set aside.

3. Place sugar, brown sugar, and butter in a large bowl.  Beat with a mixer at medium speed until well combined.  Add eggs, one at a time.  Stir in the vanilla.  

4. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour.

5. Pour batter into a lined cupcake pan.  I use a 1/4 c. measuring spoon to ensure they are all pretty much equal.  

6. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-23 minutes.  

(I first baked them for 18 minutes and they were still goey, and at 22 minutes they were perfect!)

Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 oz. light cream cheese

2 Tbsp. softened butter

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/8 tsp. salt

3 c. powdered sugar

chopped pecans

Combine cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and salt in a medium bowl with a mixer.  Gradually add in powdered sugar and mix until completely combined.  Try to get just a bit on your fingers so you can gladly lick it off :)

The end product: delish!

At first he was pretty apprehensive and not too thrilled that I broke tradition.

But the taste test proved worthy of a giant smile.  He consumed 2 more!  Eeks..well I guess they're good for a pretty picky carrot cake consumer.  

Bon appétit!