Fluffy Carrot Cake
- Preparation and cooking time
- Prep:
- Cook:
- Easy
- Serves 12
Ingredients
Cake
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 4 cups grated carrots
- Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe below)
Whipped Cream Frosting
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 4 cups grated carrots
- Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe below)
- 1 package (8-ounce) cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Method
- STEP 11. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- STEP 22. Using a hand or stand mixer, mix the eggs, oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat in both sugars on medium speed until well combined, 2 minutes. Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Mix the batter until the dry ingredients are fully incorporated. Stir in the carrots on low speed until they are evenly distributed within the batter. Pour the batter into the baking dish and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- STEP 33. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the center of the cake springs back when touched. Allow the cake to cool completely in its pan before topping it with the Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting. If you like, sprinkle the frosted cake with toasted coconut. Cut into squares to serve.
- STEP 44. To make the frosting: Using a hand or stand mixer, whip all the ingredients together on low speed until the sugar is fully absorbed. Increase the speed to medium-high and blend until the mixture resembles frosting. Don't worry if the mixture initially looks curdled. Keep whipping it and watch it transform into a thick frosting.
