Description
A warm, spiced carrot cake with layers and tangy cream cheese frosting, perfect for celebrations and cozy afternoons.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts (1 cup for cake, 1 cup for garnish)
- 1 and 1/2 cups packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup smooth unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 cups grated carrots (about 4 large)
- 16 ounces full-fat brick cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- pinch of salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (149°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the chopped pecans (or walnuts) to bake for 6–8 minutes.
- Grease two or three 9-inch cake pans and line with parchment paper.
- Whisk the brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, eggs, applesauce, and vanilla in a large bowl until combined.
- In another bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves together.
- Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, then add the carrots and 1 cup of the toasted nuts.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
- Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 20–25 minutes for three pans, or 30–35 minutes for two pans.
- Cool the cakes in the pans for 1 hour, then remove and cool completely.
- Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth, then add the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
- Assemble the cake by frosting between layers and outside of the cake, garnishing with remaining nuts.
Notes
For best results, ensure room temperature ingredients are used and whip the frosting until smooth. Chill the cake to help it hold shape when cutting.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 36g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 100mg