Description
A moist and flavorful homemade carrot cake made with a special carrot puree and loaded with warm spices.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/3 lbs raw carrots (for grating and puree)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 large egg white
- 1/2 cup drained crushed pineapple (optional)
- 1 1/4 cup sweetened coconut flakes (optional)
- 3/4 cup chopped toasted pecans (optional)
- 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
- 16 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 10 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (for decoration)
Instructions
- Peel carrots and grate 3.5 cups worth; chop and steam remaining carrots until tender, then puree in a food processor to get about 1.75 cups.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper and grease.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all spices in a medium bowl.
- Cream butter, oil, brown sugar, white sugar, and vanilla until fluffy, then beat in eggs and egg white.
- Mix in half the dry ingredients, then the carrot puree, then the remaining dry ingredients.
- Fold in grated carrots and any optional mix-ins like pineapple, coconut, or nuts.
- Bake for 28-33 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean; cool in pans for 10 minutes then transfer to racks.
- Beat cream cheese and butter for frosting, then mix in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
- Assemble cake layers with frosting between each, then coat the exterior and decorate.
Notes
Ensure all dairy ingredients are at room temperature for the smoothest batter and frosting.
- Prep Time: 2 hr 25 min
- Cooling Time: 1 hr
- Cook Time: 50 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 880
- Sugar: 103g
- Sodium: 373mg
- Fat: 39g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 129g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: carrot cake, homemade dessert, spring baking, layer cake, cream cheese frosting