Preheat the oven to 350F. Toast the pecans in the oven for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside for later.
Rinse, peel and grate carrots.
Combine carrots, buttermilk, oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and orange zest in a bowl and whisk thoroughly.
In another bowl whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and allspice.
Fold the flour mixture into the carrot mixture and add 2/3 of the chopped pecans. Do not over mix!
Scoop into cupcake papers and fill 1/2 to 3/4 full. Bake for 19-21 minutes at 350F. Rotate pan(s) after 15 minutes of cooking.
Frosting:
Melt half a stick of butter on medium-low heat, then add white chocolate. Stir until melted and set aside to cool.
Beat together other half stick of butter and cream cheese, then incorporate powdered sugar and white chocolate mixture
Allow cupcakes to cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool fully. Frost cooled cupcakes and sprinkle remaining pecans on top. Dust the cupcakes with cocoa powder.
I love the white chocolate in the frosting! I've made mine with it before and it is a divine combo. Lovely picture of the cupcake...makes me want to take a big bite.
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