THE BEST CARROT CAKE

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The Best Carrot Cake image

Our classic carrot cake is nicely spiced with cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg and has toasted pecans both in the cake and on top. Plumped golden raisins and a full pound of carrots make it nice and moist while buttermilk lends tang and tenderness. Our homemade cream-cheese frosting has just the right amount of sweetness.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     dessert

Time 4h

Yield 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

Nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 1/2 cups pecans
1 pound carrots, peeled, coarsely grated
1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) unsalted butter, at room temperature
Four 8-ounce blocks cream cheese, at room temperature
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
4 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar

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.

Eric Attoh
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This carrot cake is a keeper! It's so easy to make and it always turns out perfectly. The cake is moist and flavorful, and the frosting is creamy and delicious. I highly recommend this recipe.


Leah Tamunobere
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I'm so glad I found this recipe. I've been looking for a good carrot cake recipe for a long time and this one is perfect. The cake is moist and flavorful, and the frosting is creamy and delicious.


Roblox Status
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This carrot cake was a hit at my party! Everyone loved it. The cake was moist and flavorful, and the cream cheese frosting was the perfect finishing touch.


Mohammed Othman
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I made this cake for my family and they loved it! It was so easy to make and it turned out perfectly. The cake was moist and flavorful, and the frosting was creamy and delicious.


Elisabeth Jensen
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This is the best carrot cake I've ever had! It's so moist and flavorful, and the cream cheese frosting is to die for. I'll definitely be making this again for my next party.


Sharna Akter
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I'm not a big fan of carrot cake, but this recipe was really good. The cake was moist and flavorful, and the frosting was creamy and not too sweet. I would definitely make this again.


jason roberts
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This carrot cake is amazing! The cake is moist and flavorful, and the frosting is creamy and tangy. I will definitely be making this again.


Marvit Ammar
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I've made this carrot cake several times now and it's always a hit. The cake is moist and flavorful, and the frosting is to die for. I highly recommend this recipe.


CAT VAN rOOYEN
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Delicious! The cake was moist and the frosting was creamy. I will definitely be making this again.


Emily Tembo
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This carrot cake is a hit! Everyone who tried it loved it. The cake was moist and flavorful, and the frosting was the perfect amount of sweetness.


Nancy Stockwell
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Followed the recipe exactly and the cake turned out great! It was moist and flavorful, and the frosting was smooth and creamy. I'm so glad I found this recipe.


Muheenat Oladimeji
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I'm not usually a fan of carrot cake, but this recipe changed my mind. The cake was incredibly moist and the frosting was perfectly sweet and tangy. I'll definitely be making this again.


Mdajij Mdajij
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Easy to follow recipe that yielded a delicious carrot cake. The cake was moist and flavorful, and the cream cheese frosting was creamy and tangy. Definitely a keeper!


Abdulhakeem Lawal Abdulazeez
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This is the best carrot cake recipe I've ever tried. It's so moist and flavorful, and the cream cheese frosting is to die for. I'll definitely be making this again for my next party.


Barrane Idriss
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Just had my first bite and I'm officially obsessed! The perfect balance of sweet and spicy, with a moist crumb and a delicious cream cheese frosting. Can't wait to make this again and again.


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