Description
Sweet and spicy carrot cake originates from a Southern kitchen with warm spices and cream cheese frosting. Homemade goodness delivers comfort and nostalgia you’ll savor slice by slice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups (240 g) grated carrots
- 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 tsp (5 ml) baking powder
- 1 tsp (5 ml) baking soda
- 1 tsp (5 ml) ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) kosher salt
- 1 ½ sticks (12 tbsps or 170 g) salted butter, softened
- 12 oz (340 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 ½ lbs (680 g) powdered sugar
- 2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla extract
- ½ cup (60 g) chopped pecans, toasted
- Additional vegetable oil for greasing pans
- Additional all-purpose flour for dusting pans
Instructions
- Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350°F and methodically equip two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper, generously greasing and flouring to prevent sticking.
- Wet Ingredient Fusion: Vigorously whisk vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and eggs until the mixture transforms into a harmonious, glossy emulsion.
- Dry Ingredient Integration: Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt, ensuring a uniform and lump-free dry blend.
- Batter Assembly: Delicately fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, blending until just incorporated, then tenderly mix in freshly grated carrots for texture and moisture.
- Baking Ritual: Evenly distribute batter across prepared pans and nestle into preheated oven, baking for 30 minutes until a toothpick emerges spotlessly clean.
- Cooling Protocol: Rest cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then liberate from molds and transfer to wire rack, carefully removing parchment paper.
- Frosting Creation: Whip softened butter and cream cheese using electric mixer until achieving a luxurious, silky consistency, then introduce vanilla extract for depth of flavor.
- Frosting Refinement: Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, beating until the mixture becomes ethereally light and perfectly spreadable.
- Cake Construction: Position first layer on serving plate, lavishly spread frosting, then crown with second layer, enrobing entire cake in remaining frosting.
- Final Flourish: Embellish cake with toasted pecans, creating a rustic, elegant presentation that promises delectable texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Moisture Master: Grate carrots freshly for maximum moisture and natural sweetness, avoiding pre-packaged or dried carrots.
- Temperature Precision: Allow eggs and butter to reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother batter and more even cake texture.
- Baking Doneness Check: Insert toothpick at cake’s center – if it comes out with a few moist crumbs, it’s perfectly baked; completely dry means potential over-baking.
- Frosting Flow: Ensure cream cheese and butter are softened but not melted for ideal frosting consistency, preventing runny or lumpy results.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 575
- Sugar: 60 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 71 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg