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Spiced Carrot Cake

A moist and flavorful cake made with fresh carrots and spices, topped with rich cream cheese frosting.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour Consider using King Arthur Flour for a reliable result
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon For a bolder flavor, try Saigon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup vegetable oil Feel free to substitute with canola or melted coconut oil
  • 4 large eggs For optimal baking results, use room temperature eggs
  • 3 cups grated carrots Freshly grated works best, but pre-packaged is a time-saver
  • 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained Witness the magic of moisture!
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) Nuts add a lovely crunch, but feel free to omit
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened I prefer Philadelphia for its creamy texture
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened For a richer flavor, use European-style butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for frosting

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, combine oil and eggs, beating well until frothy. Gradually add this wet mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
  4. Fold in the grated carrots, crushed pineapple, nuts (if using), and vanilla extract until evenly distributed.
  5. Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula.
Baking
  1. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  2. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frosting
  1. For the cream cheese frosting, beat together softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
  2. Once the cakes are cool, spread frosting generously between the layers, then over the top and sides.
  3. Serve and enjoy your delightful Spiced Carrot Cake!

Notes

Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor, and make sure butter and eggs are at room temperature for a smooth batter.