Tropical Baby Food Carrot Cake
Indulge in the delightful flavors of the Tropical Baby Food Carrot Cake, a sumptuous dessert that harmoniously combines the natural sweetness of crushed pineapple, the rich texture of shredded coconut, and the satisfying crunch of walnuts. Crafted with convenience in mind, this recipe eliminates the tedious task of grating carrots by using carrot baby food, ensuring a smooth and moist cake every time. This treat is perfect for gatherings or a cozy family dessert night, and it pairs perfectly with its creamy, luscious frosting. Experience a slice of paradise in every bite—your taste buds will thank you!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
2 cups (measured)
white sugar
2 cups (measured)
baking soda
2 teaspoons (measured)
cinnamon
2 teaspoons (measured)
salt
1 teaspoon (measured)
vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups (measured)
large eggs
4 (beaten)
carrot baby food
2 (6 ounce) jars (opened)
crushed pineapple
1 (8 ounce) can (well drained)
chopped walnuts
1 cup (chopped)
flaked coconut
1 cup (measured)
cream cheese
1 (8 ounce) package (softened)
butter
1/2 cup (softened)
vanilla extract
2 teaspoons (measured)
confectioners' sugar
4 cups (measured)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans with butter and a light dusting of flour.
2
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, white sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
3
In another bowl, blend the vegetable oil, eggs, and carrot baby food. Mix on low speed until completely incorporated.
4
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and mix until just combined.
5
Gently fold in the well-drained crushed pineapple, chopped walnuts, and flaked coconut, ensuring they are evenly distributed without over-mixing.
6
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8
Let the cakes cool in the pans for 15 minutes on a wire rack, then carefully remove them from the pans and allow them to cool completely on the wire rack.
9
For the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together in a large bowl until smooth and creamy.
10
Add the vanilla extract and confectioners' sugar to the cream cheese mixture, blending until it reaches your desired frosting consistency.
11
Frost the cooled cakes generously and, if desired, sprinkle the top with additional chopped walnuts and coconut for added texture and flavor.
12
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and delicious!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Tropical Baby Food Carrot Cake?
It is a moist and flavorful dessert that combines carrot baby food, crushed pineapple, shredded coconut, and walnuts for a tropical twist on a classic cake.
Why does this recipe use carrot baby food?
Using carrot baby food eliminates the need for grating fresh carrots and ensures a consistently smooth and moist texture throughout the cake.
What size jars of baby food are required?
The recipe calls for two 6-ounce jars of carrot baby food.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
What type of cake pans should I use?
You should use two 9-inch round cake pans for this recipe.
How should I prepare the cake pans?
Grease the pans with butter and apply a light dusting of flour to prevent the cake from sticking.
What are the dry ingredients in the cake batter?
The dry ingredients include all-purpose flour, white sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
How many eggs does this recipe require?
The recipe requires 4 large eggs, which should be beaten before being added to the wet mixture.
What type of oil is used in the Tropical Baby Food Carrot Cake?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of vegetable oil.
Should the crushed pineapple be drained?
Yes, ensure the crushed pineapple is well-drained before folding it into the batter.
What tropical ingredients are added to the batter?
Crushed pineapple and flaked coconut are added to give the cake its tropical flavor.
How long should the cake bake?
Bake the cake for approximately 35 minutes.
How can I tell if the cake is finished baking?
The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
How long should the cakes cool in the pans?
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 15 minutes before removing them.
Where should the cakes finish cooling?
After removing them from the pans, let them cool completely on a wire rack.
What ingredients are needed for the frosting?
The frosting is made from softened cream cheese, butter, vanilla extract, and confectioners' sugar.
How much cream cheese is used in the frosting?
One 8-ounce package of softened cream cheese is required.
How much butter is used for the cream cheese frosting?
The frosting requires 1/2 cup of softened butter.
What kind of sugar is used in the frosting?
The recipe uses 4 cups of confectioners' sugar for the frosting.
Can I add extra texture to the top of the cake?
Yes, you can sprinkle additional chopped walnuts and coconut over the frosting if desired.
How should leftovers be stored?
Store any leftover cake in the refrigerator to keep it fresh and delicious.
How much cinnamon is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of cinnamon.
What is the serving size for this cake?
While specific serving counts aren't provided, it is a standard two-layer 9-inch cake suitable for gatherings.
How many cups of flour are used?
The recipe uses 2 cups of all-purpose flour.
What is the first step in making the cake batter?
Whisk together the flour, white sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl.
When should I add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients?
Gradually add the wet mixture (oil, eggs, baby food) to the dry mixture after the wet ingredients are completely incorporated.
How should I incorporate the pineapple, walnuts, and coconut?
Gently fold them into the batter to ensure even distribution without over-mixing.
How much vanilla extract is in the frosting?
The frosting contains 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
Is this cake suitable for kids?
Yes, its sweet and moist profile makes it a great dessert for kids and families.
Can I use different nuts instead of walnuts?
While the recipe specifies walnuts, you could likely substitute pecans or omit them entirely based on preference.