Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

I know I’m jumping around with the recipes this week, but we enjoyed this cake last Sunday. It will be some time before I make it again, and I want to get it out there. Why will it be some time before I make it again? Well, there are just too many other delicious dessert recipes to make and try. That, and I have had a few requests for a carrot cake recipe. This one is outstanding!

Normally, carrot cake recipes are incredibly moist due to the carrots and obscene amounts of oil. I mean, 1 1/2 cups of oil– really?! I am not one who is afraid of a little fat, but I don’t care to have greasy lips after taking a bite of cake. To eliminate that problem without sacrificing taste and texture, I replace 1/2 cup of oil with buttermilk and use a full pound of carrots. Now that is a carrot cake.

I keep the spices and frosting traditional, but I give the finished cake an updated twist (literally). Instead of a 9 x 13-inch cake pan with a simple frosted top that many of us probably grew up with, I like to make this cake into a two-tiered cake with crisp, candied carrot curls on top. It is completely optional, but it does make for a nice presentation and a great snack for the kids. However, a simple 9 x 13-inch pan is still a good and equally tasty option. Speaking of options, the nuts are optional too, but I do like the bit of texture that they add. You can even add the nuts to the cake batter instead of using them as a garnish.

Like many cake recipes, it can be made several days in advance and kept in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature before serving. Enjoy!

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

By Nicole Prep: 20 minsCook: 40 minsTotal: 1 hr Servings: 16 This carrot cake is the perfect balance of tender crumb, comforting spices, and just the right amount of luscious cream cheese frosting to make every bite unforgettable!

Equipment

• Stand mixer

Ingredients 

For the Cake

• 2 ½ cups (12 ½ ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
• Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 pound carrots, trimmed and peeled
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 4 extra-large eggs, room temperature
• ½ cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 1 cup vegetable oil

For the Frosting

• ½ cup (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese (do not use low fat or nonfat)
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups (12 ounces) confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon sour cream
• 2 cups finely chopped walnuts, optional

Garnish

• Carrot Curls, recipe follows
• Fresh Mint

Instructions 

For the Cake

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly grease two 9-inch round cake pans, or one 9 x13-inch pan, line with parchment paper, grease the parchment, and flour the pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and salt; set aside.
3. Using a food processor fitted with a shredding disk, shred carrots (you should have about 3 cups); transfer to a large bowl. Wipe the bowl of the processor clean and fit the processor with the metal blade. Process sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and buttermilk in food processor until frothy and thoroughly combined, about 20 seconds. With processor running, add oil in a steady stream and process until mixture is light in color and well emulsified, about 20 seconds. Transfer mixture to bowl with carrots, mixing well. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the flour until no streaks of flour remain.
4. Scrape batter into prepared pan(s), smooth top with rubber spatula, and gently tap on the counter to release air bubbles. Bake cake until toothpick in the center comes out clean, about 35-40 minutes, rotating pan(s) halfway through baking. Let cake cool completely in pan(s) on wire rack, about 2 hours.

For the Frosting

1. Using a stand mixer or hand held beater, cream the butter, cream cheese, and sour cream together until smooth. Add the salt and vanilla. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. With the mixer on low, gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and mix until fluffy.
2. Run a paring knife around the edges of the cooled cake(s) to loosen from the pan(s). Invert the cake(s) onto a wire rack, discard parchment, then turn cake(s) right side up onto a serving platter. Spread frosting evenly over cake or frost the top of one layer, top with the second layer, and frost the top and sides of the cake. Press the walnuts onto the sides of the cake if using. Garnish with carrot curls if using and serve. Cake can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving. Enjoy!

For the Candied Carrot Curls

1. 2 medium carrots, peeled
2. 1 cup water
3. 1 cup granulated sugar
4. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat the oven to 250°F. Line baking sheet with a silicon mat or parchment paper; set aside.
5. Peel long strips from carrots lengthwise until you begin to get wide slices, you should get about 15 strips.
6. Bring water and sugar to a boil in small heavy duty saucepan. Add carrot strips and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Strain through a sieve, discarding syrup. Let stand 15 minutes.
7. Wind carrot strips, one at a time, around the end of a wooden spoon handle, then slip off each curl and place seam side down on prepared baking sheet. Place in the oven and bake until dry and crisp, about 60-75 minutes. Allow to cool completely on baking sheet.
8. Carrot Curls can be made 5 days ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.

Notes

Nutritional and preparation values do not include carrot curls.

Nutrition

Calories: 480kcal, Carbohydrates: 68g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 59mg, Sodium: 430mg, Potassium: 193mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 50g, Vitamin A: 4999IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 109mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.