ZUCCHINI CUPCAKES

Zucchini Cupcakes image

I asked my grandmother for this recipe after trying these irresistible spice cupcakes at her home. I love their creamy caramel frosting. They're such a scrumptious dessert, you actually forget you're eating your vegetables, too! -Virginia Lapierre, Greensboro Bend, Vermont

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 40m

Yield about 1-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

3 large eggs, room temperature
1-1/3 cups sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon almond extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1-1/2 cups shredded zucchini
FROSTING:
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup 2% milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 to 2 cups confectioners' sugar

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. Beat the first 5 ingredients. Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to egg mixture and blend well. Stir in zucchini. , Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack., For frosting, combine brown sugar, butter and milk in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Cool to lukewarm. , Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until frosting reaches spreading consistency. Frost cupcakes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 327 calories, Fat 12g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 45mg cholesterol, Sodium 305mg sodium, Carbohydrate 52g carbohydrate (38g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.