Halloween Rich Carrot and Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Halloween is around the corner.As we know all children including Mishu love Halloween -Trick and Treating.I love Halloween because I can bake and bake whole month long until Christmas.Well,I have overripe bananas sitting on my kitchen counter and I also have bunch of carrot tips turn black sitting in my fridge.What should I do with both of this fruit and vegetable?.Well,maybe I should bake something from this ,right? Ingredients:

2/3 cup butter

3/4 cup sugar

4 tbsp plain yogurt

4 eggs

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 cup cashew nut-chopped

8 oz carrot -grated

1 banana-peeled and mashed

2 cup all purpose flour(sieved)

1 tsp baking powder

1 tbsp baking soda

2 tbsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tbsp salt

Frosting:

4 oz cream cheese(soften)

1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening

1 1/2 lb confectioners' sugar

1 tbsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp water/milk

1 tbsp meringue powder
Method:

1:Preheat the oven to350F/180C.Prepare cupcake liner over muffin pan.Beat butter,sugar,eggs ,yogurt and vanilla extract together in a bowl until pale or well .Beat in carrot,cashew nut and banana.

2:Sift in flour ,salt,baking powder,baking soda and cinnamon powder together and gradually beat into the batter.Pour into the the prepared cupcake liner.Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until firm and a fine skewer inserted into the center comes our clean.

3:Removed the cupcakes from muffin pan,and let's cool down completely on cooking rack before frosting.How to make frosting:

1:In large bowl, cream shortening and butter with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract and water or milk; beat well. Gradually add sugar,one cup at a time beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, if icing is dry, add additional water or milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.

2:Used any Star tip with pipping to decorate the icing.Then top with some Halloween sprinkle.

Yield 15 medium size cup cakes.

Note :

I adapted this recipe from "The Home Baker-Rich Carrot Cake" but changed few ingredients to suit my taste and product availability at home.For eg: walnut to cashew nut,sunflower oil to butter,omit lemon juice and lemon zest,omit oatmeal,omit extra egg yolk and reduced sugar in the cakes.I like my cupcakes version better,it's soft,moist and not too sweet carrot cupcakes!