Description
Homemade Carrot Cake delivers sweet comfort with rich spices and cream cheese frosting. Moist layers packed with grated carrots and warm cinnamon promise delightful moments of pure pleasure when served to family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped coarsely
- 1 (8 ounces / 226 grams) can crushed pineapple, with juice
- 3/4 cup shredded coconut
Wet Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup buttermilk (or combine 3/4 tablespoons vinegar with enough cream to make 3/4 cup, let sit for 10 minutes)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously coat two 9-inch round cake pans with grease, optionally lining them with parchment paper for effortless cake removal.
- Blend liquid components In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk, sugar, and vanilla extract. Use an electric mixer on low speed for approximately one minute, creating a smooth, uniform mixture.
- Incorporate dry ingredients Gently add flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt to the liquid base. Mix until just combined, maintaining a thick, slightly textured batter without over-processing.
- Introduce complementary elements Fold in crushed pineapple with its juice, grated carrots, chopped walnuts, and shredded coconut. Ensure even distribution while preserving the batter’s delicate texture.
- Bake to perfection Evenly distribute the batter between prepared pans. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center. Look for a clean extraction indicating complete cooking.
- Complete the cake process Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling. Optional cream cheese frosting can be applied once the cakes have reached room temperature.
Notes
- Swap vegetable oil with healthier alternatives like applesauce or Greek yogurt to reduce fat content while maintaining moisture.
- Replace some all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour or almond flour for added nutrition and gluten-free options.
- Reduce sugar by using natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, which provide deeper flavor profiles and lower glycemic impact.
- Toast walnuts briefly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more complex taste dimension in the cake.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 352
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 218 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg