We love Carrot Cake and search for any excuse to make it. With this simple sheet cake model, we made your choice that a lot simpler. This cake is tremendous simple to whip up, feeds a crowd, and satisfies your candy tooth with the proper contact of cinnamon spice. Made with crushed pineapple, applesauce, and freshly grated carrots, this cake stays tremendous moist lengthy after it’s out of the oven.
Love carrot cake as a lot as we do? Attempt our traditional Carrot Cake or our Carrot Cake Cookies.
Why Our Recipe
- A straightforward sheet cake model of a traditional carrot cake that feeds a crowd.
- Crushed pineapple and applesauce hold this cake tremendous moist.
- One-bowl cake batter retains every thing easy with simple to comply with steps.
This carrot cake recipe is every thing you need from a traditional carrot cake: completely moist, candy and spiced, and with the proper quantity of walnuts that give it a pleasant crunch. And raisins? Completely non-obligatory. You both love them or hate them—we gained’t decide! Nonetheless, we use golden raisins as a substitute of normal ones for his or her sweeter taste and better moisture content material. Should you’re not a raisin lover, you simply may love these ones.
Ingredient Notes
- All-Function Flour: Persist with common all-purpose flour for the perfect outcomes. We don’t suggest utilizing cake flour because it makes this cake crumbly.
- Baking Soda and Powder: You’ll want each. Be sure you verify the expiration date to keep away from a flat cake.
- Vegetable Oil: Canola oil or olive oil are good options. Persist with a neutral-flavored oil.
- Eggs: Customary Grade AA giant eggs will work completely.
- Unsweetened Applesauce: Provides moisture to the cake. Make sure that to get unsweetened so your cake isn’t too candy.
- Crushed Pineapple: Provides additional moisture and taste to the cake. Make sure that to empty earlier than including to your batter!
- Shredded Carrots: Finely shred carrots for the perfect consistency and texture.
- Spices: This recipe makes use of a mix of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Make sure that spices aren’t expired to make sure most freshness and robust taste.
- Chopped Walnuts: They not solely add texture but additionally complement the flavors of the carrot and spices.
- Golden Raisins: Elective, however a carrot cake traditional!
- Cream Cheese: Softened and full-fat works finest for this creamy frosting.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavour. Pure vanilla extract is really helpful for the perfect style, however synthetic vanilla can be utilized in a pinch.
- Powdered Sugar: Add it in half a cup at a time. Extra powdered sugar makes for a thicker frosting. How thick you make it’s a matter of non-public choice.
Frosting Choices
Carrot cake pairs properly with quite a lot of frostings, although we are able to’t think about carrot cake with out cream cheese frosting. Listed here are a couple of scrumptious frosting choices to select from:
Buttercream Frosting: For individuals who want a silky clean and candy possibility, buttercream frosting is right. It’s versatile sufficient to be flavored or coloured and gives a traditional, elegant end to the cake.
Cream Cheese Frosting: The traditional selection for carrot cake, cream cheese frosting affords a wealthy, tangy complement to the cake’s cinnamon and clove spiced taste. Its creamy texture and decadent style make it a perennial favourite.
Customise your Cake
Including mix-ins to your carrot cake is a improbable approach to customise them to make this cake your personal. Whether or not you’re a fan of chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit, right here’s methods to incorporate these yummy extras:
Raisins: For a traditional carrot cake contact, add 1/2 cup of raisins. They supply bursts of sweetness and a chewy texture that enhances the general expertise.
Chocolate Chips: For a candy twist, stir in 1/2 cup of semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips into the dough. They add a melty, chocolatey goodness that pairs splendidly with the spices.
Nuts: Should you get pleasure from a little bit of crunch and nuttiness, add the 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans—or each! They not solely add texture but additionally complement the flavors of the carrot and spices.
The Proper Pan
Choosing the proper pan is essential to making sure your cake seems completely. For this sheet cake, we use a jelly roll pan or baker’s half sheet, which measures 13×18 inches with a rimmed edge. Utilizing a smaller or deeper pan can alter the cake-to-frosting ratio, affecting each the style and texture.
Making ready the Pan
Put together the pan by flippantly greasing it with butter or nonstick cooking spray, then line the underside with parchment paper, making certain no overhang. Precut parchment paper sheets are particularly handy for this step. Whereas parchment paper isn’t required, it helps make sure the cake doesn’t stick and makes serving simpler too.
Storage Directions
Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as 5 days.
Freeze particular person slices separated on a baking sheet. As soon as frozen strong, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and retailer in an hermetic container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw at room temperature.