Memorial Day is a federal holiday that marks the unofficial start of summer and is celebrated on the last Monday of May. To celebrate, many people engage in outdoor activities such as barbecues, picnics, or cookouts. One popular Memorial Day tradition is to make carrot cake. This sweet and flavorful dessert is perfect for sharing with family and friends. With its rich cream cheese frosting, tender crumb, and colorful? appearance, carrot cake is a festive and delicious way to commemorate this special holiday. If you are looking for the perfect Memorial Day carrot cake recipe, look no further! In this article, we will provide you with several mouthwatering options that will be sure to impress your taste buds and make your Memorial Day celebration a memorable one.
Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!
INCREDIBLY MOIST AND EASY CARROT CAKE
This is the best carrot cake recipe I've ever used. We prefer to use a hand grater when preparing the carrots since it creates delicate carrot shreds that melt into the cake batter. Pre-shredded bags or shredding carrots using a food processor are also options, but the carrot shreds will be larger. This recipe is forgiving. You can make this with or without the nuts or raisins. We love the combination of granulated and brown sugar, but if you only have one of them, use it, and the cake will still be delicious. Frosting: Our creamy frosting recipe shared below is not a traditional cream cheese frosting. Thanks to whipped cream, it's creamier and has soft peaks (you can see it in our video). We love it, but if you prefer a more traditional frosting, see the tips section below the recipe. We have provided instructions for a classic cream cheese frosting that works nicely with this cake.
Provided by Adam and Joanne Gallagher
Categories Dessert
Time 1h5m
Yield Makes 1 (9-inch) double layer cake (16 thin slices) or 22 to 24 cupcakes
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Position a rack in the middle of the oven. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans, line the bottom with parchment paper and then grease the top. Or grease and flour the bottom and sides of both pans.
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176C).
- Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until very well blended.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking after each one.
- Switch to a large rubber spatula. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, then add the dry ingredients in three parts, gently stirring until they disappear and the batter is smooth.
- Stir in the carrots, nuts, and raisins.
- Divide the cake batter between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake until the tops of the cake layers are springy when touched and when a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes.
- Cool cakes in the pans for 15 minutes, then carefully turn the cake layers out onto cooling racks. Remove the parchment paper and cool completely. If you find that a cake layer is sticking to the bottom of the pan, leave the cake pan upside down and allow gravity to do its thing.
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with a handheld mixer on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute.
- Beat in the powdered sugar, a 1/4 cup at a time, until fluffy.
- Pour in the whipping cream. Beat on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the frosting is whipped and creamy. This frosting resembles the texture of whipped cream. Chill covered until ready to frost the cake.
- When the cake layers are completely cool, frost the top of one cake layer, and place the second cake layer on top.
- Add the remaining frosting to the top of the carrot cake and use a butter knife or small spatula to swirl the frosting around. Leave the sides of the cake unfrosted. Finish with a handful of nuts on top.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 slice (1 of 16), Calories 535, Fat 33.4g, SaturatedFat 6.9g, Cholesterol 69.3mg, Sodium 315.9mg, Carbohydrate 56.4g, Fiber 2.4g, Sugar 40.5g, Protein 5.6g
CARROT CAKE
My family's best carrot cake recipe dates back to my great-grandmother! We bake up a few of these carrot cakes for special occasions to make sure there's enough to go around. You'll love the texture this pretty, moist treat gets from pineapple, coconut and, of course, carrots! -Debbie Terenzini-Wilkerson, Lusby, Maryland
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h10m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Add the eggs, oil, carrots and vanilla; beat until combined. Stir in pineapple, coconut and nuts. , Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack., For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter in a small bowl until fluffy. Add the confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Frost cake. Sprinkle with additional nuts. Store in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 819 calories, Fat 49g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 76mg cholesterol, Sodium 346mg sodium, Carbohydrate 91g carbohydrate (72g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 8g protein.
A HEALTHY CARROT CAKE RECIPE FOR MEMORIAL DAY
I find this to be the perfect time of year for carrot cake. It's an ideal dessert for cookouts, picnics and graduation parties. This Carrot Cake is Gluten-Free with Vegan Coconut Cream Frosting. Enjoy! View the full recipe: http://www.elanaspantry.com/2008/05/20/carrot-cake/
Provided by Elanas Pantry
Categories Dessert
Time 50m
Yield 1 cake, 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine almond flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- In a separate bowl, mix together eggs, agave and oil.
- Stir carrots, raisins and walnuts into wet ingredients.
- Stir wet ingredients into dry.
- Place batter into 2 well greased, round 9 Inch cake pans.
- Bake at 325 degrees for 35 minutes.
- Cool to room temperature and spread with coconut frosting.
- Serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 221.3, Fat 15.8, SaturatedFat 2.1, Cholesterol 105.8, Sodium 650.8, Carbohydrate 17.1, Fiber 2.7, Sugar 10.7, Protein 5.7
THE BEST CARROT CAKE YOU'LL EVER EAT RECIPE BY TASTY
Hand-grating carrots is a labor of love that gives this recipe the ultimate carrot flavor and delicate texture we love in our cake. Not to be outdone, the luscious cream cheese frosting has real vanilla bean to take this cake to the next level. This is the best carrot cake we have ever made.
Provided by Matt Ciampa
Categories Bakery Goods
Time 1h40m
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 24
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line the bottoms of 3 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and grease with nonstick spray.
- Make the cake: Grate the carrots on the large holes of a box grater. You should have about 6 cups.
- In a large bowl, combine the grated carrots and buttermilk and stir until the carrots are completely coated.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose and whole wheat flours, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, salt, baking soda, cloves, allspice and nutmeg.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer), combine the brown and granulated sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until the mixture drips from the whisk in ribbons, about 3 minutes.
- With the mixer running on medium speed, slowly drizzle in the vegetable oil, scraping down the sides of the bowl halfway through, if necessary. Continue mixing until the mixture is fully emulsified, about 2 minutes.
- Add ⅓ of the flour mixture and mix on low speed until just combined. Add ½ of the carrot mixture and continue mixing on low speed until incorporated. Continue alternating adding the flour and carrot mixture. Remove the bowl from the mixer and use a flat rubber spatula to bring the batter together.
- Evenly divide the batter between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let the cakes cool for about 10 minutes, then remove from the pans and let cool completely.
- Make the frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer), cream together the butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, salt, and vanilla bean seeds until creamy, about 1 minute. Add the powdered sugar and continue mixing until silky and smooth, about 4 minutes.
- Assemble the cake: Dab a bit of frosting on a cake board and place a cake layer on top. Scoop 1 cup of frosting onto the cake. Repeat with the remaining 2 layers. Use the remaining frosting to coat the top of the cake completely, leaving the sides naked.
- Slice and serve.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 755 calories, Carbohydrate 107 grams, Fat 33 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 10 grams, Sugar 74 grams
CLASSIC CARROT CAKE RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: carrot, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, allspice, kosher salt, baking powder, baking soda, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, large eggs, vegetable oil, raisin, crushed pineapple, unsalted butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, walnuts
Provided by Kiano Moju
Categories Desserts
Time 1h55m
Yield 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350˚F (180˚C). Grease 3 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pans and line with parchment paper.
- Grate the carrots on the small holes of a box grater. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, sift together 2½ cups (310 G) of flour, the cinnamon, allspice, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Whisk together.
- In a separate large bowl, beat the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and eggs together with an electric hand mixer on medium speed until just combined.
- With the mixer running, gradually pour in the vegetable oil.
- With the mixer on medium-low speed, add ⅓ of the flour mixture at a time to the wet ingredients. Beat just to incorporate. Stop mixing when there is just a small amount of flour visible.
- In a small bowl, toss the raisins with the remaining tablespoon of flour.
- Add the raisin, grated carrots, and pineapple to the batter and fold to incorporate with a rubber spatula.
- Divide the cake batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a fork inserted in the center of a cake comes out clean.
- Cool the cakes on a wire rack until the pans are cool to the touch. Remove the cakes from the pans and let cool completely on the rack.
- Make the icing: In a large bowl, beat together the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla with an electric hand mixer on medium-low speed. Once combined, mix on medium-high speed for 30 seconds, until light and fluffy.
- Add the powdered sugar, ½ cup (60 G) at a time, beating on medium-low speed to incorporate each addition.
- Assemble the cake: Check to see if the top of each cake is flat. If not, use a serrated knife level off the cakes.
- Place 1 cake layer on a serving platter or cake stand. Spoon ¼ of the icing on top and spread in an even layer. Add another layer of cake and spread with another ¼ of the icing. Set the last cake layer on top with the bottom up to ensure a very flat surface. Spread the rest of the icing over the top and sides.
- Gently press the walnuts into the icing around the sides of the cake.
- Chill for 30-60 minutes to let the icing set, then slice and serve.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1012 calories, Carbohydrate 94 grams, Fat 68 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 11 grams, Sugar 63 grams
CARROT CAKE
Carrot Cake is one of those classic recipes that works so well for any celebration. The bright orange color offset by creamy white frosting makes Carrot Cake the star of any dessert tray. As the name implies, the shredded carrots give this easy Carrot Cake recipe its bright color, but the taste is subtle. Warm cinnamon and vanilla help create a swoon-worthy flavor as you bite into the moist, dense cake. One of the best parts of Carrot Cake is the famous sweet-and-tangy cream cheese frosting. Follow our homemade recipe, or save time, and substitute Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting instead.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Dessert
Time 1h5m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom and sides of one 13x9-inch pan or two 8-inch or 9-inch round pans with shortening; lightly flour. In large bowl, beat granulated sugar, oil and eggs with electric mixer on low speed about 30 seconds or until blended. Add flour, cinnamon, baking soda, 1 teaspoon vanilla and the salt; beat on low speed 1 minute. Stir in carrots and nuts. Pour into pan(s).
- Bake 13x9-inch pan 40 to 45 minutes, round pans 30 to 35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool rectangle in pan on cooling rack. Cool rounds 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
- In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, milk and vanilla with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, on low speed until smooth and spreadable. Frost 13x9-inch cake or fill and frost round layers with frosting. Sprinkle nutmeg on frosted cake, if desired. Store in refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 440, Carbohydrate 46 g, Cholesterol 55 mg, Fat 5, Fiber 2 g, Protein 6 g, SaturatedFat 3 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 230 mg, Sugar 27 g, TransFat 0 g
Tips:
- Use fresh carrots for the best flavor and texture. Grating the carrots by hand will give you a better result than using a food processor.
- Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing will make the cake tough.
- Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This will take about 45-50 minutes.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting it. This will help the frosting set properly.
- If you don't have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
- For a richer cake, use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar.
- To add a festive touch, decorate the cake with red, white, and blue sprinkles.
Conclusion:
Carrot cake is a delicious and festive dessert that is perfect for Memorial Day. It is easy to make and can be customized to your own liking. Whether you prefer a classic carrot cake or one with a twist, there is a recipe in this article that is sure to please everyone.
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