The best carrot cake recipe! Made with real carrots, pineapple, raisins, walnuts, and a touch of cinnamon, this carrot cake recipe with pineapple is better than grandma’s.
The kid in me screams that I want to eat all my vegetables in cake! The adult just gives a rather disproving look but that’s ok. I have been waiting until just the right time to share my special Carrot Cake recipe. Dreams of spring and Easter whispered to me that this was that time. Filled with goodies like raisins and pineapple, this cake is moist and my favorite variation that I have ever had.
The funny thing about this cake is that it came about completely by accident. I was making my plain ol’ carrot cake recipe when I realized mid-making that I had run out of vanilla extract. Seriously, what in the world do you substitute for vanilla? I almost skipped it when I saw that I had rum extract in the cupboard. For whatever reason, I just went with it. And I cannot believe the results! Although subtle, the rum extract added a certain warmth to the carrot cake and livened up the spices.
Since I know that Easter brings with it loads of chocolate and candy, I wanted to share a holiday treat recipe that my family not only loves, but that would also add a bit of nourishment to an otherwise sugar-laden day. And while Carrot Cake certainly isn’t considered health food, it does have benefits that other cakes and sweets skip.
One last bit of disclosure. Some of you may remember my misadventures in icing a cake and wonder where my new-found decorating talents have sprung from. Nope, I didn’t take a class. Rather, I enlisted the skills of a neighbor who just happens to run her own little cake baking company. I know, how lucky am I? I even got to play with a cake spinner, but I still need a LOT of practice. But hey, I did learn one little fact about pretty cakes. They use a ton of frosting.
The Recipe is at the bottom but first, I would like to show you some other fun EASTER PROJECTS!
Frequently asked questions:
Absolutely! I adore this recipe in all forms! If you prefer to make this as individual cupcakes, I have a step by step recipe for carrot cake cupcakes that you can find here.
The cake layers can be stored wrapped or covered at room temperature or refrigerated for 1-2 days. Once the cake is frosted, it should be stored in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese in the frosting. It can be eaten chilled or you can set it out on the counter for one to two hours if you prefer room temperature cake. Carrot cake can also be frozen with or without the frosting for 2-3 months and thawed in the refrigerator overnight.
Unsweetened applesauce can be substituted for oil in this and many other baking recipes. The oil adds a lot of fat and moisture when baking, so the texture might change slightly. With all of the other ingredients that make this recipe so delicious and moist, it shouldn’t alter the flavor too much.
You’ve seen my #MakeIt project, now please visit some of the other wonderful blogger in this challenge and check out their beautiful Easter projects!
1. Easter Mantle w DIY Burlap Banner | 2. Easter Basket for Kids | 3. Speckled Easter Eggs || 5. Moss Covered Easter Basket | 6. Easter Kids Table Ideas | 8. Fabulous Carrot Cake | 9. Easter Egg Hunt Pom Pom Skirt
Fabulous Carrot Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups All Purpose Flour
- 2 tsp Baking Soda
- ¼ tsp Salt
- 2 ¼ tsp cinnamon
- 3 Eggs
- ¾ cup Buttermilk
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 1 ½ cups White Sugar
- 2 tsp rum extract or vanilla extract
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1 can crushed pineapple in juice 8oz
- 1 cup Raisins
- cream cheese frosting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 8×8 cake pans.
- In medium bowl, whisk combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. In a second large bowl, combine eggs, buttermilk, oil, sugar, and extract. Add flour mixture, a cup at a time and mix well between each addition.
- In another medium bowl, combine carrots, nuts, pineapple and juice, and raisins. Using a spoon or scraper, fold the carrot mixture into the batter.
- Pour into prepared pans. Bake for 1 hour or until center is done and toothpick comes out clean. Let cool on wire rack before frosting with cream cheese frosting.
Nutrition
Not Sure
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Angie Siegrist says
Excellent recipe! moist and delicious !
Rebecca says
Your neighbor has a bakery!? How amazing is that?! And I love that this recipe came from a vanilla panic! I cannot stand running out of vanilla because it always happens mid-recipe! LOL Was it your homemade vanilla you ran out of?
Rachel says
Actually, no, I have had this recipe for years and I only started making my own vanilla about 2-3 years ago. I baked a lot less back then than I do now, but running out is never a problem now with the huge homemade bottle I keep. I think it’s like 12oz or something which is a heck of a lot.
Sharon - Her Organized Chaos says
This looks so good! I love carrot cake. Pinning and sharing! Thanks for sharing this at Totally Terrific Tuesday last week. I can’t wait to see what you have lined up for this week. It’s live right now!
Sharon
Her Organized Chaos
Erlene says
Carrot cake is my hubby’s favorite cake. Will have to give your recipe a try 🙂
Rachel says
Ice cream cake is my husband’s favorite but he definitely loves this cake. Let me know how it goes if and when you get a chance to try it!
Krista - TheQuinntessentialMommy.com says
Yum! That cake looks beautiful AND delicious. And a cake spinner sound super fun!! Thanks for linking up at #HomeMattersParty
Aliza B says
This looks amazing! I’ve got to try this recipe. I’ll tell myself that it has fruits and veggies in it so it’s okay to have. Oh, and don’t forget the dairy in the frosting. =)
Kim @The Baking ChocolaTess says
Wow! I love this gorgeous carrot cake! Found you on Crafty and Delicious Party. Pinning and tweeting! Have a great week!
Cathy says
Whoa, this looks beyond good! Carrot Cake is my fave kind of cake and I really want some of this now! I love the crushed nuts around the cake! Yum!
Cathy
Katie says
Ummm … I need a piece of this RIGHT.NOW. Yum!! Those pictures are making my mouth water!! I am slightly obsessed with carrot cake, and this looks like one good recipe!!
Christina at SWEET HAUTE says
This cake is so pretty! Love the way you styled the frosting and decorative bottom edging:) Thanks for sharing! #MakeIt
~Be Sweet
Christina
at SWEET HAUTE
Rachel says
Thanks so much Christina! I am so terrible with decorating cakes that I had someone else do it, lol. But it is definitely one super delicious cake. Love this month’s challenge!
Cindy@DIYbeautify says
Rachel, your carrot cake is gorgeous! I love the dusting of crushed nuts on the bottom! Pinning 🙂
Rachel says
Yeah, the crushed nuts was my friend’s doing. She is so talented with cakes. My only contribution to this cake’s appearance was the top. It almost looked to pretty to eat. Thanks for sharing Cindy!
Jen says
This is one of my all time favorite desserts! Your cake is a work of art. Just pinned and will definitely be making this very soon.
Rachel says
Please let me know how it turns out, Jen! I get so paranoid that I made a mistake in the directions anytime I post a recipe. I triple checked though!
Lindsay Eidahl says
Oh my goodness! I could use a slice right about now! Looks delicious!
Ashley ~ 3 Little Greenwoods says
I love-love-love carrot cake! Thanks some for the new recipe!
Bonnie @ The Pin Junkie says
Yum, I love carrot cake! This look delicious!