Carrot cake cravings can't be curbed easily, but a single slice of the store-bought classic weighs in at over 500 calories — not ideal if you're trying to eat healthy. Luckily, this vegan cupcake recipe offers all the traditional flavors of carrot cake but cuts the amount of sugar and calories in half.
While this recipe might be too much for everyday eating on some diets, calorie counts are much lower than more traditional recipes (256 calories per serving!). Best of all, these cupcakes don't taste vegan in the slightest — they're moist, sweet, and plain delicious.
— Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes
Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line muffin tin with paper liners or lightly coat with nonstick spray.
Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake for 26 to 28 minutes.
While the cupcakes are baking, beat margarine and cream cheese together with an electric mixer until just combined.
Continue to beat while adding the confectioners sugar in small batches. Mix until smooth and creamy, then beat in the vanilla.
Once cupcakes are completely cooled, pipe or spread on cream cheese frosting, and garnish with chopped walnuts.