Carrot Cake

Carrot Cake

The best Carrot Cake recipe is extra moist from buttermilk and crushed pineapple and is slathered in the most amazing cream cheese frosting. This is my birthday cake every year!

Ingredients

  • granulated sugar)

    (300g

    1 ½ c
  • light brown sugar

    firmly packed), (147g

    ⅝ c
  • oil

    vegetable or canola oil), (198g

    1 c
  • buttermilk)

    (114g

    ½ c
  • eggs

    , room temperature

    4 large
  • vanilla extract
    2 tsp
  • crushed pineapple)

    * (128g

    ½ c
  • all-purpose flour)

    (281g

    2 ¼ c
  • baking powder
    1 ½ tsp
  • baking soda
    1 tsp
  • ground cinnamon
    1 tsp
  • ground ginger
    ¼ tsp
  • salt
    ½ tsp
  • ground nutmeg
    ¼ tsp
  • carrots)

    , finely grated, about 3-4 large carrots (248g

    2 ½ c
  • chopped pecans)

    , optional (114g

    1 c
  • golden raisins)

    , optional (149g

    1 c
  • cream cheese

    softened), (454g

    16 oz
  • butter

    softened), (170g

    ¾ c
  • vanilla extract
    2 tsp
  • powdered sugar)

    (480-600g

    4 c

Directions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180°C). Prepare three 8 inch cake pans* by lightly coating with cooking spray then lining with parchment paper.

  2. 2

    Wet ingredients: Beat the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, buttermilk, vanilla, and pineapple together in a large bowl.

  3. 3

    Dry ingredients: In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and nutmeg.

  4. 4

    Combine: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients then mix until incorporated. Fold in the carrots, pecans and raisins just until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

  5. 5

    Bake: Pour the batter into prepared pans. Bake on center rack until a toothpick inserted into comes out clean, about 25-30 minutes. Allow cakes to cool in the pans for 10-15 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.

  6. 6

    Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Mix in vanilla. Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until the frosting reaches the consistency you want. Beat for serval minutes until smooth and fluffy.

  7. 7

    Assemble: Place the bottom layer on a cardboard round or serving plate. Spoon about 1/2 cup cream cheese frosting onto bottom cake layer, spreading evenly over the surface and out to the edge of the cake. Repeat with remaining cake layers. Spread frosting around the sides of the cake, adding more as needed, until it's covered. Use the palm of your hand to cup chopped pecans around the edge of the cake, if desired.

  8. 8

    Chill cake for 30 minutes before serving.

Carrot Cake

Carrot Cake

747 cal

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About this Recipe

If you've been searching for the ultimate carrot cake, your quest ends here. This isn't just any carrot cake recipe; it's the kind of extra moist, perfectly spiced dessert that becomes a cherished annual tradition, fit for any celebration, including birthdays.

What truly sets this homemade carrot cake apart is its remarkable texture and depth of flavor. The inclusion of buttermilk infuses the batter with a delicate tang and unparalleled tenderness, while crushed pineapple ensures every bite is unbelievably succulent. Paired with an incredibly amazing cream cheese frosting, this cake achieves a harmonious balance that will captivate your taste buds.

Prepare for a truly decadent dessert experience. Each slice of this classic carrot cake boasts a wonderfully moist and tender crumb, studded with sweet, finely grated carrots and the option of crunchy pecans and plump golden raisins. The aromatic blend of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg creates a warm, inviting aroma and a perfectly balanced spice profile that complements the natural sweetness of the carrots and pineapple. It's a rich, comforting taste that's not overly sweet, beautifully contrasted by the tangy, smooth cream cheese frosting. This cake promises a delightful, from-scratch classic that will impress.

This versatile carrot cake welcomes your personal touch. Feel free to include or omit the chopped pecans and golden raisins based on your preference or dietary needs. For a slightly different flavor profile, you could experiment with adding a touch more ginger or cinnamon if you prefer a bolder spice.

This ultimate carrot cake is the perfect centerpiece for any special occasion, from birthday parties to holiday gatherings. Serve this delightful dessert as a memorable ending to a festive meal, guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone at the table.

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