How To: Make Homemade Carrot Cake

Don't buy a carrot cake from the store—make a delicious one right in your own kitchen with your own two hands. A homemade carrot cake is always more appreciated and enjoyable than a store-bought one. So try this recipe out!

This gorgeous carrot cake boasts three layers. The various textures of shredded carrots, chopped pineapple, and velvety cream cheese frosting combine to make every bite memorable. And wait until you see how it's decorated. A winning technique from Clare Garland of Ashmont Grill.

Ingredients

Serves 12-16. This batter is great for cupcakes too!

Carrot Cake Dough:

• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups light brown sugar
• 1½ cups canola oil
• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup golden raisins
• 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple + extra for garnishing cake
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut for garnish

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 6 oz unsalted butter, softened slightly
• 12 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1½ pounds confectioners sugar

Instructions

Mix & Bake Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350*
2. Grease three 9" cake pans lined with parchment paper
3. Add eggs and brown sugar to mixer. Mix until brown sugar and eggs come together
4. Slowly add canola oil in while mixer is going
5. Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together. Add to mixer and blend
6. Add carrots, raisins, coconut and pineapple to mixer and blend
7. Divide dough into the three baking pans
8. Bake at 350* for 25-30 minutes. Allow to cool before removing from pans

Make Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. Cream the butter until smooth in a stand mixer. Scrape bowl well
2. Add the cream cheese and combine until smooth. Scrape bowl well again
3. Add the sugar and vanilla and beat until smooth and light

Frost & Decorate Cake:

1. Frost the cake with the Cream Cheese Frosting
2. Garnish cake with coconut and pineapple