Carrot cake is one of the most sumptuous desserts you could ever make. With the addition of vibrant grated carrots, fruit and nuts and decorated with a cream cheese icing, you could even convince yourself that this is a healthy afternoon snack. Here’s how to make this yummy carrot cake for yourself.
Ingredients for a cake that will serve 8 to 10 people
FOR THE CAKE
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup plain yoghurt
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups finely grated carrots
- 1 cup crushed pineapple
- 3/4 cup pecan pieces
FOR THE ICING
- 1 cup cream cheese
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2–2.5 cups icing sugar
- 2 tablespoons cream
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Step by step instructions (20 min prep time, 35 min baking time)
1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius and line a 22cm cake pan for your carrot cake. In a stand mixer, mix the sugar, oil and yoghurt before adding the eggs one at a time.
2. Fold in the carrots, pineapple and walnuts. Add the flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon and mix until combined into a thick mixture. Place the ingredients into your cake pan and bake for 35 minutes until cooked. To check that it is cooked through, a toothpick should come out clean when stuck into the centre of the cake.
3. For the icing: cream the butter, cream cheese, cream, pinch of salt and vanilla extract. Add the icing sugar and beat until the icing is light and fluffy. Let the cake cool before spreading the icing over the top and decorating with more chopped nuts.
Things to keep in mind
Depending on your preferences, you could substitute the vegetable oil for coconut oil or canola oil. You also have the option to use vanilla flavoured yoghurt instead of plain for a flavour boost. Remember, that you will need to use heavy cream for this recipe. Any other kind of cream will result in a cake that is not as moist. For an alteration on this recipe, add half a cup of raisins. This will boost the sweetness as well as the texture of this carrot cake. You will be able to find additional inspiration for this recipe by trying the black or white carrot cake from 494 Carrot Cake. Or you could try the delicious cheese carrot cake at No Signboard Prawn Noodles and Carrot Cake.
