Quick & Warm Paula Deen Carrot Cake With Pineapple Recipe

Carrot cake with pineapple bursts with unexpected flavor symphonies that dance across your palate like culinary magic.

Tropical pineapple whispers sweet secrets into this classic dessert, transforming ordinary ingredients into extraordinary sensations.

Warm cinnamon and nutmeg embrace freshly grated carrots, weaving a tapestry of comforting aromas.

Velvety cream cheese frosting crowns this masterpiece with luxurious decadence that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Each forkful tells a story of rustic charm and sophisticated taste.

Baking this cake feels like crafting edible poetry that connects generations through pure deliciousness.

You’ll fall in love with every single crumb of this soul-warming treat that promises pure happiness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 490 kcal

Servings: 11

Ingredients in Paula Deen’s Carrot Cake with Pineapple

• All-Purpose Flour: Select unbleached flour for richer flavor and better texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Choose fine, pure white sugar for smooth consistency.
• Baking Soda: Fresh, unexpired soda ensures proper cake rising.
• Ground Cinnamon: Use high-quality, fragrant cinnamon for warm flavor.
• Salt: Fine table salt blends seamlessly into batter.

• Eggs: Select large, fresh eggs at room temperature for better mixing.
• Vegetable Oil: Pick neutral-flavored oil like canola for light texture.
• Grated Carrots: Use fresh, sweet carrots and grate finely for even distribution.
• Crushed Pineapple: Drain thoroughly to prevent excess moisture.
• Chopped Pecans: Select fresh, crisp nuts for maximum crunch.

• Cream Cheese: Use full-fat, room temperature cream cheese for creamy consistency.
• Unsalted Butter: Select high-quality butter for rich, smooth frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Choose pure vanilla for authentic, deep flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Sift to eliminate lumps and create silky texture.
• Chopped Pecans: Optional garnish for added texture and visual appeal.

Cooking Tools for Pineapple Carrot Cake

• Mixing Bowls: One large for dry ingredients, one medium for wet ingredients, and one for frosting.
• Electric Mixer: Essential for whipping up creamy, smooth frosting.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements ensure perfect cake texture.
• 9-Inch Round Cake Pans (3): Sturdy pans for even baking and perfect cake layers.
• Parchment Paper: Guarantees easy cake removal without sticking.
• Grater: For creating fresh, fluffy grated carrots.
• Cooling Wire Rack: Helps cakes cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Spatula: Great for folding ingredients and spreading frosting smoothly.
• Toothpicks: Checks cake doneness by testing for clean insertion.
• Sharp Knife: For clean, beautiful cake slicing.

How to Make Paula Deen’s Carrot Cake

• Gather Baking Essentials

Warm up your oven and prep your baking station. Grab three round cake pans and give them a quick spray with cooking oil. Dust with a light layer of flour to prevent sticking.

• Blend Dry Ingredients

Toss all your dry ingredients into a big mixing bowl. Whisk them together until they’re perfectly combined, creating a smooth and even base for your cake.

• Combine Wet Ingredients

Crack open some eggs and pour in your liquid ingredients. Fold in freshly grated carrots and drained pineapple chunks. Mix everything together until it becomes a gorgeous, rich batter. Toss in some chopped nuts for extra crunch if you’re feeling adventurous.

• Bake and Cool Cake Layers

Spread the batter evenly across your prepared pans. Slide them into the preheated oven and let them bake until they’re golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Once done, let the layers cool completely before moving forward.

• Whip Up Creamy Frosting

Grab your electric mixer and beat the cream cheese until it’s silky smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, creating a luscious, velvety frosting that’ll make your taste buds dance.

• Create Your Masterpiece

Stack the cake layers, generously spreading frosting between each one. Cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting, creating a beautiful, smooth finish. Sprinkle some extra nuts on top for a delightful crunch and wow factor.

Tips and Add-Ins for Carrot Cake

• Swap pecans with walnuts or almonds for a different nutty crunch. These alternative nuts bring unique textures and flavors to your classic dessert.
• Replace some oil with applesauce to reduce fat while keeping the cake incredibly soft and tender. This smart swap maintains the cake's delightful moistness without compromising taste.
• Experiment with additional warm spices like nutmeg or ground ginger to elevate the cake's complexity. A pinch of these aromatic spices will transform your traditional recipe into a gourmet experience.
• Prepare cake layers and frosting separately up to two days in advance. Store layers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature, and refrigerate frosting. This strategy saves time and reduces day-of cooking stress, ensuring a stress-free baking process.

How to Serve the Pineapple Carrot Cake

• Serve with Creamy Companions: Pair each slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to enhance the cake's rich, moist texture.
• Craft a Decadent Dessert Plate: Garnish the cake with a light dusting of ground cinnamon or a drizzle of caramel sauce to elevate its visual appeal and flavor profile.
• Perfect Party Presentation: Arrange cake slices on elegant dessert plates, adding a few fresh mint leaves or a sprinkle of toasted pecans for an extra gourmet touch.
• Create a Beverage Pairing: Complement the cake with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or a cold glass of milk to balance the sweetness and create a delightful flavor experience.

Storage Advice for Paula Deen’s Carrot Cake

• Preserve Fresh Flavor: Store your carrot cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, keeping it moist and delicious.
• Refrigerate for Extended Enjoyment: Wrap cake tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining its creamy texture and rich taste.
• Freeze for Future Treats: Carefully wrap individual cake layers or whole cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring a delightful dessert is always ready.
• Quick Serving Tip: Remove cake from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to allow it to reach room temperature, bringing out the full, vibrant flavors of this classic dessert.

Moist Paula Deen Carrot Cake With Pineapple Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Paula Deen’s carrot cake combines Southern charm with tropical pineapple sweetness. Moist layers are crowned with cream cheese frosting that will delight cake enthusiasts at any gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups grated carrots (about 4 medium carrots)
• 1 cup crushed pineapple, well-drained
• 4 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups (355 ml) vegetable oil
• 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (400 g) sugar
• 2 tsps ground cinnamon
• 2 tsps baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 (8 oz/226 g) packages cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 stick (113 g) salted butter, room temperature
• 1 (16 oz/454 g) box powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups (226 g) chopped pecans, divided (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prep Station: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans, lining bottoms with parchment paper for seamless cake release.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
3. Batter Development: Incorporate eggs and vegetable oil into dry ingredients, blending with a hand mixer until smooth. Gently fold in grated carrots, crushed pineapple, and chopped pecans, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.
4. Baking Process: Evenly distribute batter across prepared cake pans. Bake for 40 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
5. Frosting Creation: Whip cream cheese, butter, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Optional: mix in additional chopped nuts for textural complexity.
6. Cake Assembly: Once completely cooled, layer cakes with frosting on a serving plate. Generously coat entire cake with remaining frosting, creating a smooth finish. Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped pecans for added visual appeal and crunch.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
• Moisture Magic: Drain pineapple thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from making the cake soggy and compromising its structure.
• Nut Tip: Toast pecans briefly before chopping to enhance their rich, nutty flavor and add depth to the cake.
• Frosting Finesse: Chill cream cheese and butter slightly before mixing to achieve a perfectly smooth, spreadable frosting consistency.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 47 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 57 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg