Description
A moist and spiced carrot cake topped with rich cream cheese frosting, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (260g) chopped pecans or walnuts (1 cup for cake, 1 cup for garnish)
- 1 and 1/2 cups (300g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (226g/240ml) vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup (180g) smooth unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 and 1/2 cups (313g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 cups (260g) grated carrots (about 4 large)
- 16 ounces (452g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 cups (480g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (149°C) and toast the nuts for 6–8 minutes until they are light brown.
- Prepare two or three 9-inch cake pans by greasing and lining them with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, eggs, applesauce, and vanilla until smooth.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients, stirring until just mixed. Fold in grated carrots and 1 cup of toasted nuts.
- Divide the batter among the prepared pans and bake for 20–25 minutes (three pans) or 30–35 minutes (two pans).
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 1 hour before removing and cooling completely on a rack.
- For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and salt, mixing until very smooth.
- Assemble the cake by leveling the tops of the layers, frosting between layers, and frosting the outside.
- Chill the cake for at least 20 minutes to set the frosting before serving.
Notes
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cover tightly to keep fresh.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg