Description
Indulge in our Best Carrot Cake Recipe, a moist and flavorful dessert that perfectly combines the sweetness of pineapple and coconut with the heartiness of grated carrots. This cake is ideal for any occasion, whether it’s a birthday celebration or a simple family gathering. Topped with an irresistible cream cheese frosting, each slice offers a delightful balance of textures and flavors that will leave your taste buds craving more. Easy to make and customizable with your favorite nuts or mix-ins, this carrot cake is sure to become a beloved staple in your dessert repertoire.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
- 1/2 cup moist plump raisins (dark or golden)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup neutral vegetable oil (Canola or safflower oil)
- 4 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
- 12 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature, softened)
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature)
- 1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar (sifted)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Optional: Toasted finely chopped nuts
- Optional: Toasted coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In one bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- In another bowl, combine grated carrots, coconut, raisins, chopped nuts, sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and crushed pineapple.
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined—avoid overmixing.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- While cooling, prepare cream cheese frosting by mixing softened cream cheese and butter until smooth; gradually add powdered sugar and lemon juice.
- Once cooled, frost the cake with cream cheese frosting and optionally top with toasted nuts or coconut.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (80g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg