classic carrot cake08/28/12
Carrot cake has been my cake of choice since my first birthday party, where my parents let me eat a giant piece and smear the icing all over my face.
With this recipe, the cake itself is not overly sweet but the cream cheese icing adds the necessary amount of decadence. While I’m used to (and almost expect) cakes to fail (exhibit A), this recipe is guaranteed tragedy-free. The cake slipped out of the pan effortlessly and and we iced it the next morning, just in time for breakfast. Perfect.
Classic Carrot Cake
2 cups preferred flour
1 1/2 cups vegetable or coconut oil
1 1/2 cups cane sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vanilla
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 cups shredded carrots
1 cup shredded apples
8 oz light cream cheese
4 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
about 3 cups powdered sugar
Mix together wet ingredients (sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla) then add dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt). Fold shredded carrots and apples in last. For the icing, let cream cheese and butter reach room temperature. Mix (with a whisk or an electric mixer) cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract. Fold in sifted powdered sugar until icing reaches desired consistency (about three cups). Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until inserted knife or toothpick comes out clean.
Mmmm Carrot cake is amazing.
Love your rose glass cake stand — and the idea of adding apples.
Yum, looks so good. I love carrot cake, had some this weekend with tea. I’ll have to try making this one!
oh man i have so much on my to cook-back-list and now i have to put this on it too. it is not getting shorter… but it looks so good and delicious that i have to try it!!!
I looove me a good piece of carrot cake…sadly I haven’t had it in forever, though. but this looks seriously fab…I think I’m going to have to try my hand at carrot cake making!
ps these images are beyond gorgeous! love how you styled it all.
Apples, carrots, cinnamon and vanilla. This one must taste divine!
a few time ago i cooked one very similar.
carrot cake with cream cheese icing.
Check it out here: http://tapasnalingua.blogspot.pt/2012/06/abre-boca-e-fecha-os-olhos-47.html
hope you like it! ;)
Lovely, I add some almond flour and orange juice. You will love it. I have to try yours, Thanks for sharing ;)
Olivia – what size pan do you use and is it a single or double layer? Looks delicious, cant wait to make it myself.
Jen – I used a 9 inch pan and just did one layer. :)
Where did you get those gorgeous dessert plates?
OMG. Yum. This looks too good.
I loooove carrot cake! I’m DEFINITELY gonna try this recipe soon – it’s perfect for the upcoming autumn.
Genevieve, I made it! It’s an antique plate paired with an antique crystal candle holder, held together with epoxy. Sadly, right after posting this, I dropped and shattered it! Time to make a new one. :)
Carrot cake is definitely one of my favorites, too! I love the texture, taste, everything! Lovely photos. :)
Carrot cake has always been my favorite too – any cake you can have for breakfast is good in my book. I also love the idea of adding apples!
I’ve actually (surprisingly) never had carrot cake, but I’ve been meaning to try. I’ve just been waiting for the right easy recipe to come along and this fits the bill. Can’t wait to try it out!
This looks so delicious! I love carrot cake. I was just admiring how pretty the cake stand is, good job with the DIY! I’m going to have to make one now, thanks for the tip!
SO SORRY IT SHATTERED by the way!
The first I had carrot cake was in the us. At first I was like “ewww, I am not trying a cake made out of carots”. But after a bite I fell heads over heels with this delicious piece of cake! Thank you for the recipe, I will have to make my family discover the joys of this beautifully made cake! Oh and I love your photos!
My favourite! I’m going to try this one out in the next few weeks! Moving to a new flat and I think the housemates might like it!
yum! I love carrot Cake – For some reason i feel “healthy” when I eat it ;)
i have just made the cake! the smell, the taste and the composition are amazing.
i have added the juice of a lime, some ginger slices and a bit of rhum extract to the icing mix and it turned out very well. As the lime juice makes the icing fresh, i garnished the cake with baked&ground walnuts.
Thanks for the recipe!
diana cese
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Hi Olivia,
followed your recipe and it turned out beautifully! shared it with some friends i sing with and they loved it :) thanks so much for sharing this– i never would have thought of adding apples!
-michelle