Carrot Cake Muffins

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup

raw pecans or walnuts

1 1/3 cups

white whole wheat flour (or whole wheat pastry flour*)

2/3 cup

all-purpose flour

2 tsp

baking powder

1/2 tsp

baking soda

1 1/2 tsp

ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp

ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp

ground cloves

1/4 tsp

kosher salt

2 cups

packed coarsely grated carrots (from about 9 ounces or 4 medium carrots)

1/3 cup

golden raisins

1/4 cup

creamy almond butter or cashew butter (the drippy, natural kind**)

1/4 cup

unsweetened applesauce

1/3 cup

honey

large eggs

1/2 cup

plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice

1 tsp

pure vanilla extract

4 oz

reduced-fat cream cheese (softened to room temperature)

3/4 cup

powdered sugar (sifted if lumpy)

1/2 tsp

pure vanilla extract

1/2 tsp

finely grated lemon or orange zest (optional)