Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting

INGREDIENTS

1 cup

all purpose flour (see note)

3/4 tsp

baking soda

1/2 tsp

baking powder

1 1/2 tsp

ground cinnamon (increase to 2 teaspoons, if desired)

1/4 tsp

salt

1/3 cup

vegetable or canola oil

1/4 cup

unsweetened applesauce

1/3 cup

brown sugar

1/2 cup

granulated sugar

large eggs

1 tsp

pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups

finely grated carrots (about 2 medium/large carrots)

1/3 cup

finely chopped walnuts (optional)

8 oz

cream cheese (softened slightly)

4 tbsp

unsalted butter (softened slightly)

3/4 cup

brown sugar, light or dark (make sure it's really fresh)

1/2 cup

powdered sugar (plus more if needed)

1/2 tsp

pure vanilla extract