I’ll add an image of the finished product when I actually make it again. The title’s just a reminder to me. Recipe below.
It’s my go-to if I want carrot cake, even compared with store-bought options. I like the spices and even a hint of carrot to come through, with the icing being more an additional layer of vanilla and moistness. Most store-bought options are far too sweet for my blood.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons ground ginger
- 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1.25 cups unsweetened applesauce
- 1.5 cups light brown sugar
- 0.5 cup sugar substitute
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2.5 cups grated carrots
- 0.25 cup raisins
- 0.33 cup crushed walnuts
- 4 large eggs OR 1 additional cup of applesauce + 1 cup of mashed banana
- For Frosting:
- 0.88 cup Neufchatel cheese
- 0.75 cup greek yogurt
- 0.5 teaspoon sugar substitute
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
If thinner frosting is desired, add small amounts of milk and mix well between each addition until you reach your desired thickness. Keep in mind if you add a lot of milk, you may need to add more sugar and vanilla extract to maintain the flavor.
Baking Steps
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Grease 2 9-inch round cake pans OR line them with parchment paper
- Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt in a medium mixing bowl
- Mix eggs, brown sugar, sugar substitute, applesauce, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl
- Add carrots, raisins and walnuts to the large mixing bowl and mix well
- Add the medium mixing bowl’s contents to the large mixing bowl and mix until blended. Do not overmix
- Bake for 32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean
- Allow cakes to cool for 25 minutes or longer, then remove them from the pan to cool completely. Place them on a cooling rack if you have it. If not, a lightly greased plate is fine
- Mix all frosting ingredients in a small bowl until smooth
- Spread frosting on the top of one cake layer until you reach the desired thickness
- Place the second cake layer atop the first, then use the remaining frosting to cover the outside surface of the cake.
- (Optional) If you like cloves, sprinkle ground cloves atop the cake as a flavorful garnish. God I love cloves.
