Description
This To Die For Carrot Cake is incredibly moist, rich with pineapple, coconut, and cinnamon, and finished with smooth cream cheese frosting. It’s a classic dessert perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
1 ¼ cups unsweetened applesauce or oil
2 cups granulated sugar
3 room-temperature eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups freshly grated carrots
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup crushed pineapple with juice (not syrup)
½ cup softened butter (for frosting)
8 ounces softened cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
1 pound powdered sugar
Toasted pecans or extra coconut for topping (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together applesauce or oil, sugar, and eggs until smooth.
3. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon; stir until just combined.
4. Fold in grated carrots, coconut, nuts if using, vanilla, and crushed pineapple with juice.
5. Pour batter into a greased 9×13 pan, two 9-inch pans, or three 8-inch pans. Use parchment paper if desired.
6. Bake 35–40 minutes for 9×13 or 9-inch pans, or 25–30 minutes for 8-inch pans, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
7. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.
8. For the frosting, beat butter and cream cheese until fluffy, then mix in vanilla and powdered sugar until smooth.
9. Assemble by layering cakes and spreading frosting between and over layers.
10. Chill the frosted cake for about an hour before serving.
Notes
Double the frosting if extra is needed for piping or decorating.
Use freshly grated carrots for better flavor and texture.
Toasting pecans before use enhances their taste.
Non-stick baking spray with flour can help prevent sticking.
Cake is very moist due to applesauce and pineapple juice.
Can be made as cupcakes; bake at 350°F for 18–22 minutes.
Optional additions include ½ cup raisins with the carrots.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/16 of recipe)
- Calories: 499
- Sugar: 61 g
- Sodium: 274 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 77 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 61 mg