Description
Delightful carrot apple cake combines rustic charm with sweet nostalgia, blending fresh seasonal ingredients into a moist, comforting dessert. Warm spices and rich cream cheese frosting invite you to savor each delectable bite of this irresistible homemade treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup grated apples
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
Sweeteners and Spices:
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Binding and Leavening Ingredients:
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl, ensuring all dry ingredients are well combined and free of lumps.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk eggs until light and fluffy, then gradually incorporate vegetable oil and granulated sugar, mixing until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly pale.
- Gently fold the grated carrots and apples into the wet mixture, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
- Stir in vanilla extract, creating a rich and aromatic base for the cake.
- Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring carefully to create a uniform batter without overmixing.
- If using, fold in chopped walnuts and raisins, distributing them evenly throughout the cake batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula to ensure consistent thickness.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with minimal crumbs.
- Remove from the oven and let the cake cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Customize the cake’s sweetness by adjusting sugar levels or using alternative sweeteners like honey or maple syrup for a natural twist.
- Replace vegetable oil with unsweetened applesauce or Greek yogurt to reduce fat content and add moisture.
- Make the recipe gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free baking blend for those with dietary restrictions.
- Toast walnuts before adding them to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a delightful crunch to the cake’s texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg