Description
Homemade carrot snack cake delivers pure comfort with classic spices and moist crumb. Cream cheese frosting creates irresistible sweetness perfect for casual afternoon treats you’ll savor slowly.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups peeled carrots, grated (from about 5 medium carrots)
- 4 eggs, room temperature
- 1 ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
Frosting Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a toasty 350°F, preparing two square baking vessels with a light grease and parchment paper lining for effortless cake removal.
- Sift together the dry ingredients in a compact bowl, creating a harmonious blend of flour, baking soda, aromatic cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, vigorously whisk granulated and dark brown sugars with vegetable oil until they form a smooth, glossy mixture.
- Incorporate vanilla extract and eggs into the sugar base, whisking thoroughly to create a uniform, silky texture.
- Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, introducing the flour gradually to ensure a lump-free batter.
- Introduce freshly grated carrots and roughly chopped pecans, folding them delicately throughout the batter for even distribution.
- Divide the batter equally between the prepared baking dishes, ensuring a balanced cake thickness.
- Slide the pans into the preheated oven and bake for 20-22 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean when inserted into the center.
- While the cakes cool completely, craft a luxurious frosting by whipping cream cheese and butter until supremely smooth.
- Gradually blend powdered sugar, vanilla extract, a whisper of cinnamon, and heavy cream into the cream cheese mixture, creating a velvety, spreadable frosting.
- Once the cakes have reached room temperature, lavishly spread the frosting across the surface and optionally garnish with additional chopped pecans for a delightful crunch.
Notes
- Ensure ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing and smoother batter consistency.
- Use freshly grated carrots for maximum moisture and natural sweetness in the cake.
- Toast pecans briefly before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and create a deeper, richer taste profile.
- Line baking dishes with parchment paper for easy cake removal and hassle-free cleanup.
- Check cake doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, the cake is perfectly baked.
- Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure smooth, even coverage.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 483
- Sugar: 45 g
- Sodium: 270 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg