Description
Indulgent carrot cake promises pure comfort in each slice, blending classic spices with rich cream cheese frosting. Moist layers of warmth welcome you to savor this timeless dessert that delights from the first heavenly bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 2 cups grated carrots
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cups unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup crushed pineapple (in juice, not syrup)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Optional Add-ins:
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 cup chopped nuts
Spices and Leavening Agents:
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 pound (454 grams) powdered sugar
Optional Topping:
- Toasted pecans
- Toasted coconut
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F, preparing a baking vessel with non-stick spray or parchment paper.
- Whisk together applesauce, sugar, and eggs in a spacious mixing bowl until thoroughly integrated.
- Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon into the wet mixture, folding gently until just combined.
- Incorporate grated carrots, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, vanilla extract, and crushed pineapple, stirring until evenly distributed.
- Transfer batter into prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula to ensure even distribution.
- Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, checking doneness with a slender wooden pick that should emerge clean when inserted.
- Allow cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack.
- For frosting, cream butter and cream cheese together until light and airy.
- Blend vanilla into the creamy mixture, gradually introducing powdered sugar until achieving a silky, spreadable consistency.
- Once cake has completely cooled, apply frosting generously between layers and across the entire surface.
- Embellish with toasted pecans or additional coconut if desired.
- Chill the cake for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld and frosting to set.
Notes
- Moisture Magic: This cake’s secret weapon is the combination of applesauce, pineapple, and carrots, creating an incredibly tender and juicy texture that melts in your mouth.
- Pan Flexibility: Easily adapt the recipe to your preferred pan size, from a classic 9×13-inch to multiple layer cakes, ensuring versatility for any occasion.
- Frost Like a Pro: Chill the cake before serving to help the cream cheese frosting set perfectly, resulting in cleaner slices and enhanced flavor melding.
- Nutty Optional: Chopped nuts add a delightful crunch and depth of flavor, but can be easily omitted for nut-free preferences or allergies.
- Storage Savvy: Refrigerate the cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days, allowing the flavors to develop and intensify with time.
- Freezer Friendly: Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months, perfect for make-ahead dessert planning.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 36 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg