Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Prep Time: 20+ minutes Cook Time: 35+ minutes Additional Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE CARROT CAKE :

• 2 cups flour

• 3 cups grated carrots

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon ginger

• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

• 1 cup vegetable oil

• 4 eggs

• 1 3/4 cups brown sugar

• 1/4 cup white sugar

• 3/4 cup applesauce

• 1 cup raisins

• 1 tablespoon vanilla

FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING :

• 1 block, 8oz of cream cheese

• 1 stick butter, room temperature

• 2.5 cups powdered sugar

• salt

• whole milk or heavy cream

• vanilla

INSTRUCTIONS

FOR THE CARROT CAKE :

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F

2. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with butter and dust with flour. Set aside

3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Set aside

4. In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the oil, eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, applesauce, and vanilla until combined

5. Add the grated carrots and raisins into the wet ingredients and fold into the batter until combined

6. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients

7. Using a rubber spatula, mix until just combined. DO NOT to over mix the batter

8. Pour the batter evenly between both pans

9. Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean

10. Remove from the oven, transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool in the pans for 25 minutes

11. Once the cakes are at room temperature, remove from the pans. Return the cakes to the wire rack to finish cooling

    FOR THE FROSTING :

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth

2. Add the butter and mix on medium speed for about 30 seconds or until smooth

3. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract

4. Continue mixing until fully combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed

5. Add milk or heavy cream as needed if frosting becomes too thick

6. Whip until desired consistency

TO ASSEMBLE THE CAKE :

1. If the cakes have a dome top, use a serrated knife and level off the tops

2. Place one of the cakes on a stand or serving plate

3. Frost a smooth, even layer of frosting over entire bottom cake

4. Place the second cake on top and frost the top and entire sides

5. Decorate with pecans, shredded carrots, cinnamon, carrot tops, etc

6. Slice and serve