Description
Homemade carrot cake blends rich cream cheese frosting with delicate spices and moist cake layers. Dessert enthusiasts will savor each memorable bite of this classic American sweet treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 2 cups (280 g) grated carrots
- 1 ¼ cups (296 ml) unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup (240 ml) crushed pineapple (in juice, not syrup)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup (80 g) shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 cup (100 g) chopped nuts
- 1 ½ tsps baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup (113 g) butter, softened
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 lb (454 g) powdered sugar
- Toasted pecans
- Toasted coconut
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F and coat a baking pan with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper.
- Mixture Creation: Blend applesauce, sugar, and eggs in a large bowl until smooth and well-combined, creating a uniform base for the cake.
- Dry Ingredient Integration: Gently fold sifted flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon into the wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated without overmixing.
- Flavor Enhancement: Stir in grated carrots, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, vanilla extract, and crushed pineapple, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
- Baking Process: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top, and bake for 35-40 minutes until a wooden pick inserted comes out clean.
- Cooling Stage: Rest the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Frosting Creation: Whip butter and cream cheese until fluffy, then gradually mix in vanilla and powdered sugar until achieving a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Finishing Touch: Once cooled, generously frost the cake, covering the entire surface and between layers if applicable, and optionally garnish with toasted pecans or additional coconut.
- Serving Preparation: Refrigerate the cake for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld and frosting to set before serving.
Notes
- Moisture Magic: Use freshly grated carrots for maximum moisture and natural sweetness, avoiding pre-shredded bagged carrots which can be dry.
- Ingredient Intelligence: Pat crushed pineapple dry to prevent excess liquid from making cake soggy, ensuring perfect texture.
- Temperature Technique: Allow cream cheese and butter to soften at room temperature for 30 minutes before making frosting to achieve smooth, lump-free consistency.
- Storage Savvy: Store cake covered in refrigerator for up to 5 days, bringing to room temperature 15-20 minutes before serving for best flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 50 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg