“Be the change you wish to see in this world.” -M. Gandhi
Happy Birthday Earth Day!
This Friday is Earth Day’s 41st birthday. Although awareness of environmental issues has drastically increased over the past few years, the Earth still needs our help. In honor of our mother Earth, please do something to celebrate and show her you care: recycle, buy local/naturally grown foods, carpool to work, plant a tree, grocery shop with reusable bags, replace your light bulbs with energy efficient alternatives. I have listed a few websites below that have special deals on Earth Day to encourage supporting the cause.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/04/17/earth.day.deals.mnn/
http://green.yahoo.com/blog/greenpicks/295/earth-day-deals-2011.html
Earth Day is celebrated only one day a year, but it is important for us to keep up with environmentally friendly efforts throughout the whole year! Our future depends on it.
I made these Orange Cream Carrot Cupcakes (with organic ingredients) in honor of Earth Day. Moist carrot cupcakes with walnuts frosted with an orange cream cheese frosting. Carrots, apples, oranges, and pinapple… the sweet goodness of mother nature all in one little cupcake.
Ingredients:
For the cupcakes:
3 cups grated carrots
2 cups flour
4 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup crushed pinapple
1/2 cup apple sauce
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped walnuts
For the frosting:
1/2 cup butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional; for garnish)
Method:
For the cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease or line two cupcake trays. (Recipe makes 2 dozen) In a large bowl, beat together eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla on medium speed 3-4 minutes. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and ginger. Once mixed well, stir in carrots, apple sauce, and pinapple. Fold in walnuts. Pour into cupcake trays about 3/4 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
For the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat butter, cream cheese. Once mixed add orange juice, orange zest, confectioners sugar and vanilla. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Frost the cooled cupcakes and top with chopped walnuts (optional).
Enjoy!
this cupcake looks delicious! i love anything with orange in them 😛
carrots and creme… wow!
try it 🙂 they are yum!
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