These Vegan Carrot Cake Cupcakes are a perfect treat for Easter, springtime, or to make for the bunny lovers in your life.
I'm not sure if I ever shared this before but my husband, Matt, calls me "Bunny". I don't remember exactly where it came from but I think had something to do with me jumping around in snow piles and he said I looked like a snow bunny.
I won't lie, I encouraged the nickname because I've always loved bunnies - and who doesn't want to be thought of as a cute little bunny? You know I do! I also had a sweet little bunny growing up called Gingerbread (who I named my Gingerbread Hot Chocolate after) and since then I've loved anything bunny-ish.
Vegan Carrot Cake Cupcakes
So when thinking of what to make for an Easter dessert, I wanted to do something with a bunny. Bunnies eat carrots so I thought why not do a carrot cake? I figured I could top it with a bunny and I'd be all set.
I liked the idea of having more color on the cake so I did a bit of green grass on them too like the bunny was hopping around in some grass having a fun old time.
My Vegan Carrot Cake Cupcakes are not exactly like a traditional carrot cake. I use grated carrot but I left out the raisins and walnut. It's my personal choice as I don't really eat raisins and I'm not a fan of nuts in my cake - I'm more of a smooth cake kind of gal. If you like walnuts and/or raisins, feel free to throw some in.
Nutrition-wise, these are still desserts with sugar in them so I'm not saying you can eat 5 at a sitting but we all need some treats now and then. To make them a bit healthier I used less regular vegetable oil (which can be higher in Omega 6 fatty acids - the pro-inflammatory kind) and subbed in some healthier fats like coconut oil and nut butter.
Cupcake Decorating Ideas
I made the bunnies on top of the cupcake by melting vegan chocolate and adding them into bunny molds but there are a number of other ways to decorate them such as:
- crushing some walnuts adding them to the rim of the frosted cupcakes
- piping carrots made of frosting on the top
- making little chocolate bunny feet sticking out of the grass (like the bunny jumped in the grass)
- adding vegan fruit bunnies or vegan jelly beans on top
I think this would be a fun little project to get the kids involved in. I'm sure they'd love adding decorations and the grass to the cupcakes.
They don't have to be only for Easter - bunnies are in style throughout spring and all year round (or is that just me?)!
And if you're looking for some other fun cupcakes, check out my Vampire Bite Cupcakes.
If you make this recipe and LOVE IT, please give it 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!
📖 Recipe
Vegan Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Email Recipe & IngredientsIngredients
For the Carrot Cake
- 2 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour see notes
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 carrot (about ¾ cup), grated
- 1 cup non-dairy milk
- 1 flax egg (1 TB ground flax & 3 TB warm water mixed - let sit for 5-10 mins)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 Tablespoons almond butter
- 3 Tablespoons coconut oil , melted
Cream Cheese Frosting*
- 1 8 oz tub of vegan cream cheese (like Tofutti)
- ⅓ cup of vegan butter (like Earth Balance)
- 1 Tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Chocolate Bunnies & Grass
- Bunny Mold
- Enjoy Life Vegan Chocolate Chips
- Vegan Food Coloring or green sprinkles
Instructions
To Make Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix "dry" ingredients together in a large bowl: flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and carrots.
- In a separate bowl, mix "wet" ingredients: flax egg, vanilla, almond butter, coconut oil.
- Combine wet ingredients with dry ingredient until fully incorporated.
- Scoop out cupcake batter into cupcake wrappers in a cupcake pan and bake for 15-20 minutes - test will toothpick until toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool cupcakes fully before frosting them
To Make Frosting
- In mixer, mix cream cheese, vegan butter, lemon juice, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar (¼-1/2 cup at a time) until fully combined and smooth.
- Refrigerate for about 15 minutes before icing the cooled cupcakes.
To Make Chocolate Bunnies
- Melt some vegan chocolate chips on a double boiler.
- Add to bunny candy molds.
- Place in fridge until hardened.
Putting it all together
- Frost cupcakes (saving a little for the "grass".
- Take the extra frosting and put it in a small bowl. Mix in green food coloring. Add green frosting to ziplock bag (I found the stiffer freezer bags work better) and pipe some "grass" onto the middle of the cupcake.
- Add chocolate bunny.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional information data is computer generated and only an estimate so it should be used only as a guide.
Mary Ellen Valverde MS, CNS, LDN is a Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist who empowers vegans to feel clear and confident about what is uniquely nourishing to them. Mary Ellen's recipes and nutrition information have been featured on Yahoo News, Parade, VegNews, LIVESTRONG, Dr. Axe, Greatist, LIVEKINDLY, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more.
Mary Ellen Valverde MS, CNS, LDN is a Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist who empowers vegans to feel clear and confident about what is uniquely nourishing to them.Mary Ellen's recipes and nutrition information have been featured on Yahoo News, Parade, VegNews, LIVESTRONG, Dr. Axe, Greatist, LIVEKINDLY, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more.
LisaRose says
Sooo…Bunny…love it! The entire story was a delightful read. Thank you. I have not tried the cup cakes yet. I’m hoping you have a substitute for the coconut oil. My pancreas does not process coconut oil or milk.
Thanks for all your yummy recipes, Bunny. Hope you have a lovely holiday season.
Rachel says
Thank you so much!! 🙂 I really appreciate all the work you're putting in to make cooking easier and enjoyable!
Mary Ellen says
Of course, Rachel! Thanks so much for your kind words. ❤️
Rachel says
I'm newly vegan (been vegetarian on and off for over 15 years now though) and I've LOVED your site as an entry into making veganism taste amazing! I am also very into fitness and track all my macros. While a dessert now and again won't kill me, I still like to know what I'm eating. Do you happen to have a nutrition facts for this recipe?
All my best and keep the recipes coming!
Mary Ellen says
Hi Rachel, sorry about that. I'm trying to go back and add all the nutrient info for my older recipes but it's taking longer than I thought. I've added the nutrient info for this recipe now.
I hear you, I'm not having these cupcakes often but every now and then it's fun to have a treat (while still knowing what you're putting in your mouth). 🙂
So happy you're enjoying the recipes!
kateringforveggies says
These are so adorable! I didn't have much time to cook for Easter this year as it fell at the same time as my birthday and I'm moving at the end of April. I will however bake these soon, Easter or not. I'm like you regarding raisins in my cakes... Unless they're in breakfast muffins. 🙂
Vicki says
These are adorable! I love that they don't have raisins in them 🙂
Johanna @ Green Gourmet Giraffe says
perfect recipe for kids with no sultanas and walnuts - but I prefer all the bits - however I would have fun with the decoration - looks cute (and bunny is a cute nickname)
Randi Tisdall says
You have the cutest nickname evvverrr!!!!!! My husband and I are more traditional "honey" name callers lol. These are so adorable, and I love how you left out the nuts and raisins, because I'm a smooth cake person as well!
Uma Srinivas says
These looks very cute and delicious:) I am always thinking of making cheese frosting but something stopping me. Never tried vegan cheese frosting, after looking at your recipe I want to try. Anyway your cup cake is very good:)
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Uma! This was my first time trying cream cheese frosting and I'm happy with the results. 🙂
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy says
Oh my goodness mary, these are absolutely adorable!! My kids would love one of these!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Anjali! I think kids would love to help make those little bunnies too. 🙂
onesonicbite says
Those bunnies are so cute! I am the same way, not a huge fan of nuts and raisins in my cakes. (at least in chunks)
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Jennifer! Oh good, I love when people agree with me about the chunkiness of cakes. Tiny pieces are okay with me too sometimes but for carrot cakes, I only like carrots. 🙂
Linda and Alex @ Veganosity says
That's an adorable nickname, and so are those cupcakes. I'm not a fan of raisins either, so I love this recipe.
Mary Ellen says
Aw, thanks Linda, I love my nickname. Yay to more no-raisin people!
Strength and Sunshine says
Yay for carrot cake! Literally one of my top desserts of all time 🙂
Mary Ellen says
Mine too!
Kimmythevegan says
"Matt, calls me “Bunny” That is the cutest nickname ever!!!
And holy moly are those ever the cutest cupcakes I have ever seen! The little bunny on top and the grass! Wow. I'm super impressed.
They sound so tasty too! And I also don't like raisins in my cake. Gross. So glad you omitted them haha.
Oh I wish I was coming to your house for Easter dinner!
Mary Ellen says
I love my nickname. Like I said, I encouraged it. 🙂
Thanks, I actually made them a few times but wasn't too happy with the pictures but these seemed to be the best. I may retake them for next Easter but I figured I should get something up for now.
Yay for another person that doesn't like raisins in her cake!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
I am totally with you on leaving out the raisins and nuts! Your frosting looks good, too.
Mary Ellen says
Oh good, I'm glad to hear someone else is with me on that! Thanks Amy!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
What a gorgeous cupcake. Carrot cake has always been one of my favorites.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Julie! I have always liked carrot cake too. 🙂
shaheen says
Ah makes a nice change from the other Easter inspired recipes I am seeing, love carrot and carrot cake and why not in a cupcake
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Shaheen! I wanted to do something a little different. 🙂
Christine @ Run Plant Based says
These look wonderful, anything carrot cake is perfect for Easter. Thanks!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Christine! I thought it would work. Have a great weekend!