Carrot Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour (335 g)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon all-spice
- 4 cups carrots, shredded - roughly 6-8 (500 g)
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (50 mL)
- 2 cups granulated sugar (400 g)
- 1 1/4 cups flavorless oil (such as canola or vegetable) , 300 mL
- 4 eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped, (130 g)
- other optional add-ins, 1 cup of chocolate chips, raisins, ½ cup flaked coconut
FOR THE FROSTING:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese at room temp
- 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1. lemon juiced , (about 2 tbsp)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
FOR THE TOPPING:
- ½ cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
Instructions
- FOR THE CAKE:
- Preheat the oven to 350 F, grease a 9x13 inch pan with butter and dust with flour. Do not skip this step! You can alternatively use three 9 inch pans.
- In a small bowl, stir together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice) and set aside.
- In another bowl, toss the carrots with the lemon juice and set aside.
- In a large bowl, blend the sugar, oil, vanilla and eggs until smooth.
- Add the flour mixture, stirring just to combine.
- Fold in the carrot mixture and nuts. The nuts are optional, but I highly recommend adding them!
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 45-60 minutes (if baking multiple layers, the baking time will need to be adjusted accordingly), or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
- TO MAKE THE FROSTING:
- To make the frosting, blend together the butter, cream cheese, vanilla and lemon juice.
- Gradually add in the powdered sugar and beat until smooth and fluffy. The frosting should hold a soft peak when you lift up the whisk/beater.
- I like to garnish the cake with some cinnamon and chopped nuts, but this is totally optional.
Notes
Source: Hot Chocolate Hits with permission to share her new cookbook. I did double the frosting.