24 Karrot Cake Recipes

THE BEST CARROT CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line the bottoms with parchment paper rounds and lightly coat the paper with spray.
• Cover the raisins with very hot water and let sit until plump, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain.
• Toast the pecans on a rimmed baking sheet until fragrant and browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool, and then chop 1 cup of the pecans; reserve for the cake batter. Pulse the remaining 1/2 cup pecans in a food processor until very finely ground; reserve for garnish.
• Combine the carrots and buttermilk in a medium bowl. Whisk the flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a large bowl. Beat the eggs, brown sugar and vanilla extract in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until pale and thick, about 4 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium-low and gradually stream in the oil. Add the dry ingredients in 3 additions, alternating with the carrot mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until smooth. Fold in the raisins and chopped pecans with a rubber spatula. Scrape the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
• Bake the cakes, rotating the pans halfway through, until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Transfer the pans to a wire rack and let the cakes cool for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the sides of the cakes and invert onto the rack. Remove the parchment and let the cakes cool completely.
• For the frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the speed to low and gradually mix in the confectioner' sugar. Increase the speed to high and beat until the frosting until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
• To assemble the cake: When the cakes are completely cool, trim the domes of each cake round with a large serrated knife so the tops are flat. Place one cake, cut-side down, on a platter. Spread 1 1/2 cups of the frosting evenly over top. Place the remaining cake, cut-side down, on top. Spread the top with another 1 1/2 cups of the frosting. Frost the sides of the cake with another 1 1/2 cups frosting and smooth out completely to make an even crumb coat (It's ok if some of the cake shows through. This is just a base layer.) Refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the frosting set.
• Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake, swirling decoratively if desired. Sprinkle with the finely ground pecans.

24 KARROT GOLD CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg in a medium bowl. In another medium bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the eggs, sugar, brown sugar, and canola oil until light and thick. Reduce speed to low and add the flour mixture, beating just until blended. Stir in the vanilla, carrots, and walnuts until well blended.
• Line 12 cup cupcake or muffin pan 2/3-full with batter. Bake until the cupcakes are puffed and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool the cupcakes completely.
• For the frosting: Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed until creamy (2-3 minutes). Reduce speed to low and add powdered sugar in 2 parts incorporating vanilla extract 1/2 way through and mix until incorporated (scraping down walls with rubber spatula each time). Add cinnamon and fold by hand into frosting. Serve within 24 hours.
• To assemble:
• Generously frost each cupcake with pastry bag and cut 1/2-inch off the tip. Add edible gold glitter stars if desired.

24 KARAT CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare Cake:.
• Place oil in mixing bowl of electric mixer. Mix on low speed, adding sugar.
• Mix all dry ingredients together.
• Add eggs to oil and sugar mixture; mix.
• Add dry ingredients and mix.
• Add the carrots, pecans, raisins and crushed pineapple. Fold together.
• Coat three 10 x 2 inch round cake pans with vegalene spray. Press a circle of parchment paper into the bottom of each pan and spray again to coat with vegalene. Coat the pans with flour and remove the excess.
• Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans.
• Bake at 300°F for 18 to 22 minutes or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in center of cake comes away clean.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool 20 to 30 minutes. Invert the cake pan onto a parchment paper-lined sheetpan. Refrigerate until cold before assembly.
• Prepare Filling:.
• Place sugar, flour and salt in saucepan. Mix until well combined.
• Gradually stir heavy cream into dry ingredients. Add butter and stir.
• Place saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a simmer.
• Simmer, stirring constantly for 20-30 minutes or until the mixture is light golden brown. Cool to room temperature and then stir in nuts and vanilla.
• Refrigerate until needed.
• Prepare Frosting:.
• Place butter and cream cheese into the bowl of electric mixer. Mix at medium high speed until mixture is very light and fluffy.
• Gradually add sugar and heat on high speed until light, fluffy and lump-free. Fold in vanilla.
• Hold at room temperature - do not refrigerate.
• Assemble your creation:.
• Place a cake layer onto a 12" plate and top with half of the Pecan Caramel Filling, spreading evenly to the edges.
• Top with second layer and then remaining Pecan Caramel Filling. Spread evenly to the edges.
• Top with the third layer. Use a spatula to remove any excess filling from around the edges.
• Frost the cake with Cream Cheese Frosting about 1/4 inch all over. Sprinkle top of cake with additional pecan pieces, if desired.
• Refrigerate at least 2 hours before slicing.
• Remove the cake from the refrigerator. Heat a knife with hot water and cut the cake into 8 or 10 portions. Heat the knife between each cut for a neat, precise cut.
• Place onto plates and serve immediately.

CARROT CAKE III

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
• In a large bowl, beat together eggs, oil, white sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir in carrots. Fold in pecans. Pour into prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
• To Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in chopped pecans. Frost the cooled cake.

MOM'S AMAZING "24 KARAT" CARROT CAKE

Steps:

• Beat eggs and add sugar; stir in oil. Add all dry ingredients. Add carrots and pineapple. Mix well.
• Grease and flour 3 9" pans.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 35-50 minutes (longer if you're using different pans). Test by inserting a toothpick, cake is done when toothpick comes out clean.
• Cool 10 minute Turn out on racks to cool.
• Beat frosting ingredients together and top each cake layer, then assemble the cake and cover the sides.