Lush Valentine’s Day Carrot Cake
Indulge in the rich flavors of this Lush Valentine’s Day Carrot Cake, a delightful combination of moist carrots, sweet pineapple, and crunchy walnuts, topped with a velvety cream cheese frosting. This recipe was crafted during a heartwarming bazaar fundraiser for the Shriner's Valentine Tea, and it's often referred to as the best carrot cake ever. Whether you're celebrating love or simply treating yourself, this cake is sure to captivate the hearts and taste buds of everyone around you.
N/A
Servings
400
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
white sugar
2 cups (granulated)
cooking oil
1 1/2 cups (any neutral-flavored oil)
eggs
3 (large, beaten)
carrots
2 cups (grated)
crushed pineapple
1 cup (drained)
flaked coconut
3/4 cup (sweetened)
walnuts
1 1/2 cups (chopped)
all-purpose flour
3 cups (sifted)
cinnamon
1 teaspoon (ground)
baking soda
2 teaspoons (baking agent)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (table salt)
vanilla extract
2 teaspoons (pure)
Philadelphia Cream Cheese
4 ounces (softened)
margarine
1/8 lb (1/2 stick) (softened)
icing sugar
1 3/4 cups (powdered)
walnuts
1/4 cup (chopped for garnish)
coconut
1/4 cup (flaked for garnish)
vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon (for frosting)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a bundt pan thoroughly with butter or cooking spray.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of white sugar with 3 eggs. Beat the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy.
3
Gradually drizzle in 1 1/2 cups of cooking oil while continuing to mix, ensuring the oil is fully incorporated.
4
Fold in 2 cups of grated carrots, 1 cup of drained crushed pineapple, and 3/4 cup of flaked coconut into the batter. Stir until well combined.
5
Add 1 1/2 cups of chopped walnuts and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Mix until evenly distributed.
6
In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 2 teaspoons of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
7
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
8
Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake in the preheated oven for 70-75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
10
While the cake cools, prepare the frosting by creaming together 1 (4 ounce) package of softened Philadelphia Cream Cheese, 1/8 lb (1/2 stick) of margarine, and 1 3/4 cups of icing sugar until smooth and creamy. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
11
Once the cake is completely cooled, generously spread the cream cheese frosting over the top.
12
Garnish the frosted cake with 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts and 1/4 cup of coconut to add texture and flavor.
Nutrition Information
18.75g
Fat
50g
Carbs
3.75g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lush Valentine’s Day Carrot Cake?
Lush Valentine’s Day Carrot Cake is a moist, flavor-rich dessert combining carrots, pineapple, coconut, and walnuts, topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting.
What inspired this carrot cake recipe?
This recipe was crafted during a bazaar fundraiser for the Shriner's Valentine Tea and is often called the best carrot cake ever.
What type of pan is needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires a bundt pan, which should be thoroughly greased with butter or cooking spray before adding the batter.
How many eggs are used in the batter?
The recipe calls for 3 large, beaten eggs to be combined with the sugar.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) for the best baking results.
How long should the cake bake?
The cake should bake for 70-75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
What kind of oil should I use?
You should use 1 1/2 cups of any neutral-flavored cooking oil.
Are there any special fruit additions in this cake?
Yes, this recipe includes 1 cup of drained crushed pineapple and 2 cups of grated carrots for moisture and sweetness.
Does this recipe include coconut?
Yes, it uses 3/4 cup of sweetened flaked coconut in the batter and an additional 1/4 cup for garnish.
What kind of nuts are used in the Lush Carrot Cake?
The recipe uses chopped walnuts, with 1 1/2 cups in the batter and 1/4 cup for garnishing the frosting.
What ingredients are in the frosting?
The frosting consists of 4 ounces of Philadelphia Cream Cheese, 1/2 stick of margarine, 1 3/4 cups of icing sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
How much sugar is required for the cake batter?
The batter requires 2 cups of granulated white sugar.
Can I use powdered sugar in the frosting?
Yes, the recipe specifies 1 3/4 cups of icing sugar, which is also known as powdered sugar.
How long should the cake cool before frosting?
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then move it to a wire rack to cool completely before applying the frosting.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving of this carrot cake contains approximately 400 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 18.75 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 50 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in this cake?
Each serving provides 3.75 grams of protein.
Does the recipe call for cinnamon?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon is included in the dry ingredients for flavor.
What leavening agent is used?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of baking soda as the leavening agent.
How many cups of flour are needed?
The recipe requires 3 cups of sifted all-purpose flour.
Is salt included in the batter?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of table salt is included to balance the sweetness.
How is the vanilla extract divided?
2 teaspoons are added to the cake batter and 1/2 teaspoon is used in the cream cheese frosting.
What brand of cream cheese is suggested?
The recipe specifically mentions using Philadelphia Cream Cheese for the frosting.
How do you garnish the cake?
Garnish the frosted cake with 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts and 1/4 cup of coconut for extra texture.
Should the carrots be grated or chopped?
The carrots should be finely grated for the best texture within the cake.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a bundt pan.
How do you mix the dry ingredients into the wet ones?
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing only until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
What is the recommended amount of margarine for the frosting?
The recipe calls for 1/8 lb of softened margarine, which is equivalent to 1/2 stick.
Is the pineapple used fresh or canned?
The recipe specifies 1 cup of drained crushed pineapple, which usually refers to the canned variety.