Description
Indulge in the moist and flavorful delight of a classic Carrot Cake. This recipe yields a beautifully spiced cake with the perfect balance of sweetness, loaded with carrots, pineapple, and optional nuts and coconut. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, it’s a sure crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups finely grated carrots
- 1 cup crushed pineapple (drained)
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ½ cup shredded coconut (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the oil, eggs, and vanilla until well combined. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Add Mix-Ins: Fold in the grated carrots, pineapple, and optional nuts and coconut.
- Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Frost: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Frost with cream cheese frosting once cooled.
Notes
- You can use applesauce in place of half the oil for a lighter version.
- The cake can also be baked in a 9×13-inch pan for 40–45 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
