Carrot Cake Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

and 1/3 cups white flour

1/2 tsp

baking soda

1/2 tsp

baking powder

1/2 tsp

fine sea salt

1 tsp

ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp

EACH: ground nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves

2/3 cup

light-brown brown sugar, (packed)

1/3 cup

white granulated sugar

large eggs

1/4 cup

unsweetened applesauce

3/4 tsp

vanilla bean paste (or use 1/2 tablespoon pure vanilla extract)

1/2 cup

vegetable oil

and 1/2 cups finely shredded carrots ((~3 medium sized carrots))

1/2 cup

unsalted butter, (at room temperature)

package (8 ounces) full-fat cream cheese, (at room temperature (do not use low fat))

1/2 tsp

vanilla bean paste (or use 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract)

1/8 tsp

fine sea salt

1/4 tsp

ground cinnamon

3 cups

powdered sugar

Optional: 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans