Low FODMAP Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Ingredients

MAKE GLUTEN FREE

Makes 12 servings (cupcakes)

CARROT CAKE CUPCAKES

1   chia seeds
2   boiling water
160   carrot (peeled & grated)
125   neutral oil (rice bran, canola, sunflower)
104   white sugar
50   brown sugar
2   large egg
0.5   vanilla extract
175   gluten free all purpose flour*
0.25   salt
0.25   ground nutmeg*
0.5   ground ginger*
1   ground cinnamon*
2   freshly squeezed orange juice*
0.75   baking soda
0.5   baking powder

ICING

100   butter or dairy free spread*
262   confectioners sugar (powdered sugar)*
1.5   fresh lemon juice*
1   dried cranberries (finely chopped, for sprinkling on the cupcakes)*
1   pumpkin seeds (finely chopped, for sprinkling on the cupcakes)*

* See the FODMAP Tips, Dairy Tips and Gluten Free Tips for the ingredient notes above the method.

Low FODMAP Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Last updated May 21st, 2023

PREP IN 20 MIN
COOKS IN 20 MIN
SERVES 12
(cupcakes)
BY Alana Scott
DIETITIAN REVIEWED BY Joanna Baker (APD)
FEATURED IN Baking, Dessert

Treat yourself to a delicious Easter dessert with our low FODMAP carrot cake cupcakes! We’ve scaled down our popular carrot cake recipe to bring you a batch of cupcakes that’s easier and quicker, but just as delicious. Each cupcake is made with grated carrots, sweet cinnamon and vanilla, and topped with a velvety buttercream frosting. These yummy cupcakes are sure to be a hit with the whole family.

Prep time note: The prep time and cook time below indicate the amount of hands-on time needed for this recipe. You will also need to let the cupcakes cool for at least an hour before you ice them.

Equipment note: We made these using a food processor, however you can grate the carrots using a box grater and then use a cake stand mixer instead if you prefer.

  • Gluten Free
  • Low FODMAP
  • Dairy Free
  • Nut Free
  • Soy Free

Ingredients

MAKE GLUTEN FREE

SERVES 12 (cupcakes)

CARROT CAKE CUPCAKES

1   chia seeds
2   boiling water
160   carrot (peeled & grated)
125   neutral oil (rice bran, canola, sunflower)
104   white sugar
50   brown sugar
2   large egg
0.5   vanilla extract
175   gluten free all purpose flour*
0.25   salt
0.25   ground nutmeg*
0.5   ground ginger*
1   ground cinnamon*
2   freshly squeezed orange juice*
0.75   baking soda
0.5   baking powder

ICING

100   butter or dairy free spread*
262   confectioners sugar (powdered sugar)*
1.5   fresh lemon juice*
1   dried cranberries (finely chopped, for sprinkling on the cupcakes)*
1   pumpkin seeds (finely chopped, for sprinkling on the cupcakes)*

* See the FODMAP Tips, Dairy Tips and Gluten Free Tips for the ingredient notes above the method.
SHOW NUTRITION

Nutrition per serve

    | |
Calories 375
Fat 18.7g
Saturates 2.2g
Protein 2.8g
Carbs 49.5g
Sugars 36.1g
Fibre 0.7g
Salt 0.2g
Iron 0.7mg
Calcium 47.3mg
Calories 375
Fat 18.7g
Saturates 2.2g
Protein 2.8g
Carbs 49.5g
Sugars 36.1g
Fibre 0.7g
Salt 0.2g
Iron 0.7mg
Calcium 47.3mg
Calories 375
Fat 18.7g
Saturates 2.2g
Protein 2.8g
Carbs 49.5g
Sugars 36.1g
Fibre 0.7g
Salt 0.2g
Iron 0.7mg
Calcium 47.3mg
    | | |
  1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC (355ºF) bake function. Place the wire rack in the centre of the oven. Take a 12-hole muffin tray and drop a few grains of rice into the bottom of each hole (this helps stop the liners from getting greasy). Then line each hole with a cupcake liner.
  2. Place the chia seeds in a mug and pour over the boiling water. Stir well and place to one side.
  3. Peel and grate the carrot (we used our food processor to do this), then roughly chop the pile of grated carrots and place it to one side for later.
  4. Change the food processor attachment over to a blade. Then add the oil, white sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, and soaked chia seeds. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  5. Next, measure the flour, salt, nutmeg, ground ginger, and cinnamon and add them to the food processor along with the grated carrot. Blend until well combined.
  6. Measure the orange juice into a small glass and mix it with the baking soda. Add the orange juice mixture to the food processor with the baking powder and mix for a few seconds.
  7. Using a ¼ cup measure, transfer the batter into the muffin holes. You want to ¾ fill the liners - don’t overfill these; otherwise, your cupcakes will turn into mountains! You should end up with a small amount of batter left over.
  8. Place the muffin tray into the oven and bake for 20 minutes, until the tops are springy and golden and a skewer comes out clean. Leave the cupcakes in the muffin trays for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool.
  9. Once the cupcakes have cooled, make the icing. Make sure the butter or dairy free spread is room temperature – it should be easy to gently push your finger into it but it shouldn’t be melted (if it’s melted the icing will fail). Place the butter/dairy free spread in a large bowl with the lemon juice and the icing/powdered sugar. Mix until smooth using a wooden spoon for a couple of minutes until thick, smooth and creamy. If needed add a little bit more lemon juice to loosen the mixture. You should now have a thick icing that holds it shape when you swirl it.
  10. Pipe the icing onto each cupcake. Sprinkle with finely chopped pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries.
  11. Store leftover low FODMAP carrot cake cupcakes at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  12. Freezing note: You can freeze individual cupcakes without the icing for up to 3 months in an airtight container.

Buying Tips

Check that the dried cranberries are sweetened with sugar and not apple juice.

Buy a gluten free plain flour or gluten free all purpose flour. The one we used contains these ingredients: maize starch, rice flour, tapioca starch, rice bran, & guar gum. Avoid flour blends that contain soy flour, chickpea/besan/gram/garbanzo bean flour, lentil flour, coconut flour, amaranth flour, or lupin flour.

Make your lemon juice and lemon zest from fresh lemon.

 Make your orange juice and orange zest from fresh oranges.

Gluten Free Tips

Most icing sugars (powdered sugar) are gluten free, however some do contain wheat starch. This means you should check that your icing/powdered sugar is gluten free.

Herbs and spices are naturally gluten free, however they can become contaminated during manufacturing processes. If you are highly sensitive to gluten, check the dried herbs and spices do not contain a warning for trace gluten. If you are just on the low FODMAP diet you do not need to worry about this.

If you are highly sensitive to gluten, check all packaged products, processed meat (like bacon), nuts, seeds and dried fruit do not contain a warning for trace gluten. If you are just on the low FODMAP diet you do not need to worry about this.

Dairy Free Tips

Use a dairy free spread or olive oil spread instead of butter. Butter is considered low FODMAP.

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Author: Alana Scott

In 2013, Alana was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. She also suffers from coeliac disease, is allergic to nuts and is intolerant to dairy products. This means she understands how difficult it can be to cook with multiple food intolerances. Her exp... Read More

Professional Reviewer: Joanna Baker (APD)

Joanna is a foodie, an accredited practising dietitian and a registered nurse, who is passionate about digestive health. She now works exclusively in IBS and food intolerance in her Melbourne based private practice Everyday Nutrition. Joanna works alon... Read More

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