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Zucchini Cupcakes with Creamy Caramel Frosting

By Courtney 39 Comments

So you guys probably remember my epic frosting fail last week, right?

I actually ended up keeping that failed batch in the fridge up until last night when I finally decided it needed to be tossed. Otherwise, I would have slowly eaten my way through the entire bowl and that just would have been bad for business.

Luckily, my second take on the frosting turned out juuuust fine.

IMG_7029

Actually, it’s more than fine. It’s incredible. And it’s caramel.

IMG_7030

I had one last zucchini sitting and waiting to be used up last week, and then my friend Mal sent me the link to a recipe for zucchini cupcakes that immediately intrigued me. I was sold on the cupcakes + zucchini combo, but when I saw caramel frosting? Ohhhh myyyy…

IMG_7033

I do love me some caramel. Winking smile

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I ended up getting exactly 24 cupcakes out of this batch, although the one dozen I baked in my pretty cupcake holders (a gift from the lovely Tina from my Blogger Holiday Gift Exchange a couple of years ago) used a bit less batter than the full cupcakes.

IMG_7038

Just look a those tiny little specs of zucchini in there! They’re saying, “Hey, it’s okay to eat me because I’m filled with veggies!”

IMG_7041

Alright then. I’ll have two.

*****

Zucchini Cupcakes with Creamy Caramel Frosting

(slightly adapted from Taste of Home)

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Bake Time: 20 mins + cooling
  • Yield: 20-24

Cupcake Ingredients:

  • 2 eggs
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1-1/3 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2-1/2 cups flour* (I used 1-1/2 c. all-purpose + 1 c. whole wheat pastry flour)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1-1/2 cups finely shredded/chopped zucchini (I pulsed mine in a food processor)

Creamy Caramel Frosting

  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter, cubed
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or cow’s milk)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 – 2-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350° F. Line two muffin pans with paper liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl, beat the eggs, egg whites, sugar, applesauce, orange juice and extract. Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to egg mixture and mix well. Stir in zucchini.
  • Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.
  • For frosting, combine the brown sugar, butter and almond milk in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Cool to lukewarm (*I waited about 45 minutes).
  • Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar, about a half cup at a time, until frosting reaches spreading consistency. Frost cupcakes.

My frosting was still slightly runnier than most of my other buttercream frostings, but I just put it in the fridge and it was fine.

Enjoy! Smile

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Related

August 13, 2012 Filed Under: Cake/Cupcake Recipe Tagged With: caramel frosting recipe, taste of home, zucchini cupcake recipe, zucchini cupcakes with caramel frosting

About Courtney

I'm a working mom of two beautiful little boys, Lucas and Alex, and I began writing Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life in April 2010. I enjoy chronicling my love of food (healthy and indulgent!), baking, motherhood, fitness, fashion, and everything in between!

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Comments

  1. kaylie says

    August 13, 2012 at 1:15 pm

    These look SO good! I love making zuccinni walnut bread but I have never tried cupcakes. I will def try this recipe this week!
    Reply
  2. Andrea @ Vegvacious says

    August 13, 2012 at 1:16 pm

    Oh man --- these look fantastic! I definitely love me some caramel too and I have quite a few zucchinis almost ready for picking.
    Reply
  3. Paige @ Your Trainer Paige says

    August 13, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    How CUTE are those cupcake liners (liners, right?) I never make cupcakes - obviously - lol, but I think I might have to buy a cupcake tin and make these! OH! And I'm making your parm chicken burgers tonight for dinner :)
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      August 13, 2012 at 1:20 pm

      Oooooo YUM!! I hope you love them! Jay and I still have two more leftover from when we made them last week :)
      Reply
  4. Karen says

    August 13, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    "1/2 cup canola unsweetened applesauce" Was this supposed to say just applesauce?? CANNOT WAIT TO MAKE THESE!!!!!
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      August 13, 2012 at 1:20 pm

      Haha, YES! Fixing now :)
      Reply
      • Karen says

        August 13, 2012 at 1:26 pm

        :) PS also made the parm chicken burgers but used grass fed beef HOLY my yum... hubby and I cannot stop eating them!!
        Reply
        • Courtney says

          August 13, 2012 at 1:52 pm

          YAY! :)
          Reply
  5. Alex @ Brain, Body, Because says

    August 13, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    I love zucchini season!
    Reply
  6. Danielle@cleanfoodcreativefitness says

    August 13, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    These look amazing! I am in love with all of these fabulous zucchini recipes! Keep them coming!
    Reply
  7. Sylvia @ Frolic Through Life says

    August 13, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    These look amazing! I've got some zucchini in my fridge waiting to be made into these babies.
    Reply
  8. Christine @ Oatmeal Bowl says

    August 13, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    Zucchini cupcakes... caramel. YUM! what a creative and beautiful combination. I like how you were able to reduce the sugar. never used OJ either. but it sounds right. thank you!
    Reply
  9. Michelle @ Eat Move Balance says

    August 13, 2012 at 1:33 pm

    I love zucchini bread, cake, anything. I was glancing at the recipe . . . do you think the orange juice is necessary? Can I substitute with any liquid, or is the citrus component important in the baking?
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      August 13, 2012 at 1:53 pm

      I'm sure it could be substituted. You really don't taste much of the OJ flavor (if any) so I'd say give it a shot!
      Reply
  10. Jasmine says

    August 13, 2012 at 1:35 pm

    Your cupcakes look DE-LISH!!!!!!! I also found some zucchini loving recipes for you!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/cooking-101/essential-ingredients/healthy-squash-zucchini-recipes-00400000052685/page13.html http://www.cookinglight.com/food/recipe-finder/six-great-recipes-for-zucchini-00400000005700/ Enjoy!! =D
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      August 13, 2012 at 1:52 pm

      Awesome!! Thank you :)
      Reply
  11. Rachel says

    August 13, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    Your cupcakes always look soo professional!
    Reply
  12. Danica @ It's Progression says

    August 13, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    holy yum...I'm pretty sure I've never eaten zucchini plain because I always use it for recipes--muffins, bread, brownies, pancakes, and maybe now even cupcakes :)
    Reply
  13. Alysha @Shesontherun says

    August 13, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    Those cupcake liners are so cute. If I wasn't so full from lunch, I would love one of these :)
    Reply
  14. Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says

    August 13, 2012 at 2:38 pm

    These cupcakes look incredible! I love the caramel frosting! Yummy! :) I agree with everyone else. The liners are super cute.
    Reply
  15. Michelle@Peachy Palate says

    August 13, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    They looks awesome and so easy to modify for a vegan version! :)
    Reply
  16. Traci says

    August 13, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    Zucchini bread and caramel frosting are my weakness! Never thought of putting them together. Now I'm in trouble!
    Reply
  17. Lisa says

    August 13, 2012 at 3:47 pm

    Those liners are absolutely adorable. I need to be making more cupcakes, its been forever since I've had one. And I of course love the zucchini addition, since I now have an obsession with them!
    Reply
  18. Suzanne @ Fit Minded Mom says

    August 13, 2012 at 4:47 pm

    These are going to make the perfect Fall dessert!! As much as I love Summer time I am starting to crave cooler weather and these aren't helping:-)
    Reply
  19. Chelcie @ Chelcie's Food Files says

    August 13, 2012 at 4:51 pm

    Wow those sound amazing!! Zucchini in cupcakes must make them healthy! ..:)
    Reply
  20. Christie says

    August 13, 2012 at 4:53 pm

    Made a version of your Zucchini Oatmeal bread today!! Yummm! A neighbor gave us a huge zucchini so I have been checking out your recipes. I decided to make mini muffins instead. Great recipe!
    Reply
  21. Brandi says

    August 13, 2012 at 5:08 pm

    Oh my word those look amazing! The icing looks so pretty!!
    Reply
  22. Nicole says

    August 13, 2012 at 5:08 pm

    Random Question: Do you use plastic or re-usable piping bags for your frostings?
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      August 13, 2012 at 5:18 pm

      I use a reusable pastry bag that I can change out the tips with, which I got from my local confectionery store
      Reply
  23. Kim@hingryhealthygirl says

    August 13, 2012 at 5:22 pm

    Oh my! These look delicious. I love the caramel/zucchini combination idea!
    Reply
  24. Kierston says

    August 13, 2012 at 7:25 pm

    You had me at cupcake! :)
    Reply
  25. krystal@coffeecardiogoddess says

    August 13, 2012 at 7:35 pm

    I really want to make these!! Question though, how does the frosting come out tasting like caramel when there isn't any caramel in it?
    Reply
  26. Purely Twins says

    August 13, 2012 at 9:40 pm

    these look great!! what a great combo, never would of thought to put zucchini with caramel.
    Reply
  27. Annie @ What's Annie Making? says

    August 14, 2012 at 8:35 am

    These look amazing! I'm glad you tried to make the caramel frosting again. Can't wait to try these:)
    Reply
  28. Me And My Sweets says

    August 14, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    Hi, I would love you to join My Sweet Party! i host a themed party every month and beginning of next month I feature my top three favourites. Check it out at http://meandmysweets.blogspot.se/2012/08/my-sweet-party-august-childhood.html btw, your blog is wonderful and I'm a new happy follower:-) Cheers!
    Reply
  29. Bek @ Crave says

    August 15, 2012 at 1:20 am

    They look awesome! Have one for me. Love the cute liners :)
    Reply
  30. krystal@coffeecardiogoddess says

    August 15, 2012 at 7:56 pm

    I made them 2 nights ago and they were a hit with every person that has had one! My hubby really likes them! Coming from the man that kept saying the food processed zucchini looked like bird throw up. Haha
    Reply
  31. Sophie says

    June 30, 2016 at 5:06 am

    These are amazing, the zucchini is not necessary but you should strive for healthy treats, so it allows you to have the second without the guilt!
    Reply

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Sweet Tooth Sweet Life
Court Profile CircleI'm Courtney, a 30-something wife and working mom living in upstate NY. I'm a food lover, fitness enthusiast, baker extraordinaire and lover of all things sweet.
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