addictive carrot cake
My mom has been making this cake since I can remember, and it's always a special treat. I rarely eat cake, but I cannot stop eating this cake when she makes it. Hope you enjoy it as well.
Blue Ribbon Recipe
Wow, this carrot cake is addictive. Thanks to the addition of applesauce, the cake is tender. It has just a hint of cinnamon. We think finely grating the carrots adds not only texture, but a lot of moisture so take the time to finely grate them. Pineapple adds a lot of sweetness to the moist cake but doesn't alter the carrot cake flavor. The fluffy cream cheese frosting is the perfect complement to the cake! Delicious any time of the year, but a fantastic spring or Easter dessert.
prep time
25 Min
cook time
30 Min
method
Bake
yield
10-12 serving(s)
Ingredients
- CAKE
- 2 cups All-purpose Flour
- 2 cups Granulated Sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Soda
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 teaspoons Cinnamon
- 2 cups Peeled, Finely Grated Carrots Or Use Baby Carrots.
- 4 large Eggs, Lightly Beaten
- 3/4 cup Applesauce, Unsweetened
- 3/4 cup Canola Oil
- 8 ounces Can Of Crushed Pineapple, Lightly Drained
- 1/2 cup Finely Chopped Walnuts Or Pecans
- CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
- 4 cups Powdered Sugar
- 8 ounces Package Of Cream Cheese (not Low Fat), Room Temperature
- 1 stick Unsalted Butter, Room Temperature
- 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract Or A Bit More To Taste
How To Make addictive carrot cake
Test Kitchen Tips
If baking this cake in 3 layers, we recommend doubling the frosting recipe so the final cake has ample frosting. We had extra frosting, so decided to tint some of it for decoration. This would be just as delicious with nuts sprinkled on top.
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Step 1Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease, flour, and line with parchment or wax paper (3) 9 inch round cake pans, Or lightly grease and flour a 9x13 cake pan. -
Step 2Using a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
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Step 3In a smaller bowl stir together carrots, eggs, oil, nuts, and pineapple.
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Step 4Then stir them into dry ingredients until mixture is well combined. **Hand mix only, do not use an electric mixture or it will make the cake dry.**
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Step 5Divide mixture among the 3 cake pans or pour into rectangular pan.
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Step 6Bake for 30 minutes, or 35 mins if using the rectangular pan, until a cake tester or knife comes out clean. The cake will just begin to pull away from the edges of the pan. If using round pans, cool 10 mins before inverting onto cake racks. If you plan to serve cake directly out of the rectangular pan, cool completely in the pan.
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Step 7Prepare the cream cheese frosting. Using an electric mixer combine cream cheese and butter.
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Step 8Slowly beat in confectioners sugar until well combined.
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Step 9Beat in vanilla.
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Step 10When cake is completely cool, frost round layers, front top, and sides.
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Step 11Or spread frosting atop the rectangular cake. Decorate and sprinkle with nuts, if desired.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
Comment & Reviews
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