Carrot muffins with orange cream cheese

These muffins are absolutely awesome! Serve them warm with a dollop of the orange cream cheese. yummm.  They are the perfect sidekick to a good cup of coffee or tea.

Muffins
1 1/3 cups sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 1/4 cups shredded carrots

1 cup dried currants

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground allspice

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

 

Topping

4 ounces cream cheese

1 tablespoon orange zest

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Preheat oven to 375°. Put sugar, butter, carrots, currants, salt, spices, and 1 1/3 cups water in a medium saucepan. Heat over high heat, stirring occasionally, just until mixture comes to a boil.

Whisk flour, baking powder, and baking soda together in a medium bowl. Pour in warm carrot mixture. Stir to combine, but do not overmix. Spoon mixture into greased muffin cups.

Bake until browned and a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Let cool on a rack.

Blend cream cheese with zest and serve with muffins.