Liz's Irresistible Carrot Cake
Indulge in the delightful taste of Liz's Irresistible Carrot Cake, a beloved recipe passed down from the Bride and Groom Forever cookbook. This cake masterfully combines the natural sweetness of carrots with the richness of cream cheese frosting, creating a dessert that is moist and bursting with flavor. Utilizing carrot baby food adds an unexpected twist that results in an incredibly tender cake. With the perfect blend of spices, this carrot cake is loved even by those who typically shy away from it. Ideal for gatherings, celebrations, or just a sweet treat at home, this cake is guaranteed to impress friends and family alike!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
All-purpose flour
3 cups (sifted)
Granulated sugar
2 3/4 cups
Baking soda
1 tablespoon
Ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons
Salt
2 teaspoons
Eggs
4 (lightly beaten)
Corn oil
1 1/2 cups
Vanilla extract
2 teaspoons
Grated carrots
1 1/2 cups
Carrot puree (baby food)
8 ounces
Shredded sweetened coconut
1 cup
Powdered sugar
3 1/2 cups (sifted)
Cream cheese
12 ounces (at room temperature)
Unsalted butter
1/2 cup (at room temperature)
Vanilla extract
2 teaspoons
Salt
1/4 teaspoon
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position the rack in the center and spray two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray.
2
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, sift together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Mix briefly to combine.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the lightly beaten eggs, corn oil, and vanilla extract. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients in the stand mixer. Mix on low speed for 1 minute until just combined.
4
Fold in the grated carrots, carrot puree, and shredded coconut into the batter until evenly distributed, being careful not to overmix.
5
Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Avoid overbaking to keep the cake moist.
6
Once baked, remove the pans from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes. Then, turn the cakes out onto the rack to cool completely.
7
To prepare the cream cheese frosting, sift the powdered sugar into a medium bowl and set aside. In a clean stand mixer bowl with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese, unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and salt at medium speed for 1-2 minutes until smooth and lump-free.
8
Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and beat until the frosting is light, fluffy, and well blended, scraping down the sides of the bowl halfway through.
9
To assemble the cake, place one cooled cake layer flat-side up on a serving platter. Spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting over the top. Carefully place the second layer, also flat-side up, on top and apply the remaining frosting to the top and sides of the cake, smoothing it evenly.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Liz's Irresistible Carrot Cake?
It is a moist and flavor-packed dessert from the Bride and Groom Forever cookbook that features cream cheese frosting and a tender crumb.
What makes this carrot cake uniquely tender?
The addition of 8 ounces of carrot baby food (puree) provides an unexpected twist that results in an incredibly moist and tender cake.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) with the rack positioned in the center.
What size cake pans are required?
This recipe requires two 9-inch round cake pans.
How should the cake pans be prepared?
The pans should be sprayed with cooking spray before adding the batter.
Which dry ingredients are sifted together for the batter?
You sift together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 3/4 cups of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, and 2 teaspoons of salt.
How many eggs are used in the cake?
The recipe calls for 4 eggs that have been lightly beaten.
What type of oil is used in the batter?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 cups of corn oil.
How long should the wet and dry ingredients be mixed?
Mix the combined wet and dry ingredients on low speed for 1 minute until just combined.
What ingredients are folded in last?
Grated carrots, carrot puree, and shredded sweetened coconut are folded into the batter until evenly distributed.
How much grated carrots are needed?
You will need 1 1/2 cups of grated carrots.
Does the cake contain coconut?
Yes, it includes 1 cup of shredded sweetened coconut.
What is the recommended baking time?
The cake should be baked for 40 to 50 minutes.
How do you test if the cake is done?
Insert a knife into the center; if it comes out clean, the cake is finished baking.
Why is it important to avoid overbaking?
Avoiding overbaking is essential to maintaining the cake's signature moist texture.
How long should the cakes cool in the pans?
Allow the cakes to cool on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes before turning them out.
What ingredients are in the cream cheese frosting?
The frosting contains 12 ounces of cream cheese, 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 3 1/2 cups of sifted powdered sugar.
What temperature should the cream cheese and butter be for the frosting?
Both the cream cheese and the unsalted butter should be at room temperature for a smooth frosting.
How do you ensure the frosting is lump-free?
Beat the cream cheese and butter for 1 to 2 minutes at medium speed and sift the powdered sugar before adding it.
What is the total amount of vanilla extract used in the whole recipe?
The recipe uses a total of 4 teaspoons of vanilla extract: 2 for the cake batter and 2 for the frosting.
How is the cake assembled?
Place one layer flat-side up, apply frosting, top with the second layer flat-side up, and cover the top and sides with the remaining frosting.
Is this cake suitable for people who do not usually like carrot cake?
Yes, its perfect blend of spices and moist texture make it a favorite even for those who typically shy away from carrot cake.
What mixer attachment is recommended?
A paddle attachment is recommended for both sifting dry ingredients and mixing the frosting.
How much powdered sugar is required for the frosting?
The recipe requires 3 1/2 cups of sifted powdered sugar.
Is the carrot puree just standard baby food?
Yes, the recipe specifically mentions using 8 ounces of carrot baby food.
What kind of flour is used?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of sifted all-purpose flour.
How much salt is used in the frosting?
The frosting includes 1/4 teaspoon of salt to balance the sweetness.
Is the coconut sweetened or unsweetened?
The recipe specifies 1 cup of shredded sweetened coconut.
Should the cake layers be cooled completely before frosting?
Yes, the cakes must be cooled completely on a wire rack after the initial 15-minute pan cooling period.
For what occasions is this cake ideal?
It is ideal for gatherings, celebrations, or as a special sweet treat at home.