Just in time for Easter.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Line a muffin tin with 12 muffin papers.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and salt.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk eggs, oil and vanilla.
- Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until combined, but do not over-mix.
- Add carrots, raisins and walnuts. Stir well.
- The batter will be thick and have lumps.
- Use a cookie scoop to fill each muffin well 3/4 full.
- Bake for 25-29 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Transfer the muffins to a cooling rack.
- While the muffins cool, scoop some frosting into a plastic storage bag and cut off corners.
- Once the muffins are cool, pipe a dollop of frosting onto each.
- Sprinkle with extra cinnamon.
- Serve immediately or keep in an airtight container refrigerated for 2-3 days.
Spring has almost arrived, and we can all agree, it is about time! Forget the snow and cold, we are ready for flowers blooming and sunny skies.
To celebrate its arrival, Dunkin’ has unveiled a new spring menu with yummy treats you’ll want to order the next time you hit their drive-thru. Chocolate cold brew coffee, Irish creme-flavored coffee, a chocolate croissant and a tasty carrot cake muffin can all be found on this seasonal menu.
Don’t live close to a Dunkin’? No worries! I have a tasty copycat recipe so you can make carrot cake muffins at home! They are the perfect sweet treat for on-the-go munchies or Easter brunch.
Related: 25 Creative Carrot Cake Recipes
What Is Dunkin’?
Dunkin’ (also known as Dunkin’ Donuts and DD) is the world’s leading baked goods and coffee chain. They serve their 50 variety of donuts, bagels, breakfast sandwiches, beverages and other baked goods to over three million customers daily.
Related: Dunkin’s New Spring Menu for 2023
Copycat Carrot Cake Muffin Recipe
Carrot cake is one of the most popular cakes around, and these muffins are like a mini version perfect for individual portions. Since the Dunkin’ muffins contain raisins, nutmeg and crystallized ginger, I wanted to keep the flavors as close as possible. I did use raisins, but this recipe has ground ginger and allspice instead.
I also added chopped walnuts since we enjoy them in a traditional carrot cake, but they could easily be switched to pecans or omitted altogether.
As a busy mom, I took a little help and used a canned cream cheese frosting, but feel free to use homemade if you have the extra time!
Related: 35 Grab-and-Go Muffin Recipes
Why Is Carrot Cake a Thing?
The modern carrot cake can be traced back to World War II when carrots were suggested as a way to add sweetness to a cake since sugar was on the ration list.
Not only do carrots add an extra touch of sweetness, but they also give the cake, or muffins in this case, moisture to help avoid a dry cake.
Related: Brown-Butter Carrot Cake Recipe
Why Is My Carrot Cake Not Moist?
A dry cake is usually the result of over-mixing the batter or baking at too high of a temperature for too long.
For this muffin recipe, you want to mix just until the ingredients are combined. To make sure you don’t overbake them, begin checking with a toothpick at 25 minutes.
Related: 42 Carrot Cake Dessert Recipes
Why Is Butter Not Used In Carrot Cake?
Carrot cake is oil-based instead of using butter. This helps to keep the cake moist and lasts longer. In this recipe, vegetable oil is used, as in most other muffin recipes.
Related: Best Carrot Cake Recipe
Why Use Room Temperature Eggs?
While you should always store your eggs in the refrigerator, many baking recipes call for them to be brought to room temperature. This helps to ensure the best rise and texture possible because they blend better than cold ones. Simply leave them out on the counter for about 30 minutes prior to making the recipe.
Related: 40 Best Easter Cookie Recipes
What Is Ceylon Cinnamon?
If you didn’t realize there are different varieties of cinnamon, don’t feel bad. The two most popular types are Ceylon, and cinnamon cassia, which is what most of us have in our spice racks.
Ceylon cinnamon is lighter in color, has a more delicate flavor and is a natural immune booster.
I prefer baking certain things with Ceylon cinnamon because of its smooth flavor and hints of citrus.
Related: Everything You Need To Know About Cinnamon
Copycat Dunkin’ Carrot Cake Muffin Recipe
This recipe is super easy and is a great one to have the kids help with. They are perfect for breakfast, after-school snacks or even dessert. With Easter just around the corner, carrot cake muffins would be a terrific addition to your menu, no matter if you are serving a big brunch or ham dinner.
Ingredients Needed:
- grated carrots
- flour
- sugar
- baking soda
- baking powder
- eggs
- vegetable oil
- vanilla
- cinnamon
- ginger
- allspice
- salt
- raisins
- walnuts
- cream cheese frosting
Krista Marshall
Tools Needed:
- mixing bowls
- wooden spoon
- spatula
- grater
- whisk
- measuring cups/spoons
- cookie scoop
- muffin tin
- muffin liners
- plastic storage bag
Related: Baking Soda vs. Baking Powder—What’s the Difference Between Them, Anyway?
How To Make Copycat Dunkin’ Carrot Cake Muffins
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place 12 muffin liners in a muffin tin. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients.
Krista Marshall
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, vanilla and oil.
Krista Marshall
3. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix well, but do not over-mix. Add in carrots, raisins and nuts, mixing just until combined. The batter will be thick and lumpy.
Krista Marshall
4. Use a cookie scoop to fill muffin tin wells about 3/4 full. Bake for about 25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Krista Marshall
5. Once baked, transfer muffins to cooling racks.
Krista Marshall
6. Once cool, pipe a dollop of cream frosting on top of each muffin and sprinkle with extra cinnamon.
Krista Marshall
How To Store Carrot Cake Muffins
These muffins should be kept in an airtight container and refrigerated (because of the cream cheese frosting) for 2-3 days.
Can I Freeze Carrot Cake Muffins?
Sure! Once completely cool, place in a large freezer bag or container and freeze for up to a month. Just don’t add the frosting until the muffins are thawed back out and ready to eat.
What TikTokers Are Saying About These Muffins
The reviews are in:
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Best Tips
- No need to peel the carrots before you grate them. You will need about 4-5 depending on the size to yield 2 1/2 cups.
- To make sure flour is measured correctly, always scoop and level with a butter knife.
- Using room temp eggs in baked goods causes better rising and texture.
- Do not over-mix the batter to avoid dry muffins.
- These can be made with pecans instead of walnuts, or nut free.
- Regular cinnamon can be substituted for Ceylon cinnamon.
- Nutmeg can be swapped for ground allspice.
- Golden raisins would be great too.
- Use a cookie scoop to easily fill muffin wells evenly.
- Use store-bought frosting to save some time.
- These muffins have to be kept in the fridge because of the cream cheese frosting.
- Store non-frosted muffins in the freezer for one month.
What To Serve With Carrot Cake Muffins
- Whipped Hot Chocolate
- Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Copycat Dunkin’ Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
- Copycat Dunkin’ Oat Milk Latte
- Copycat Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato
- Copycat Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino
More Copycat Recipes To Try Next
- Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
- Copycat KFC Coleslaw
- Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa Beef
- Copycat Bob Evans Chicken and Noodles
- Copycat Wendy’s Chili
- Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce
- Copycat Cracker Barrel Macaroni and Cheese
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