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–+ servings
The Ultimate Carrot Cake on a white plate with a silver cake stand in the back.
4.82 from 66 votes

The Ultimate Carrot Cake

Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Total Time1 hr
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 slices

Ingredients

Cake

  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 2 cups grated carrot
  • 1 8 ounce can crushed pineapple - drained
  • 1 3.5 ounce can flaked coconut
  • 1 cup pecans or walnuts - chopped

Buttermilk Glaze

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine
  • 1 Tbsp light corn syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1/2 cup butter - softened
  • 1 8 oz package cream cheese - softened
  • 1 16 oz package powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Line 3 (9-inch) round cake pans with wax paper; lightly grease and flour wax paper. Set pans aside.
  • Stir together first 4 ingredients.
  • Beat eggs and next 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.
  • Add flour mixture, beating at low speed until blended.
  • Fold in carrot and next 3 ingredients.
  • Pour batter into prepared cake pans.
  • Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
  • During the last 5 minutes of baking, begin making glaze.
  • Bring first 5 ingredients to a boil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  • Boil, stirring often, 4 minutes.
  • Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla.
  • Drizzle Buttermilk Glaze evenly over layers; cool in pans on wire racks 15 minutes.
  • Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
  • To make the frosting, beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.
  • Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until blended; stir in vanilla.
  • Spread frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake.
  • This cake is best if you refrigerate it for at least 4-6 hours before serving. 

Notes

  • Add Raisins: A moist addition can be golden or traditional raisins.
  • Spices: Ginger and nutmeg can be added for a spicier cake.
  • Variation tip: Really toasting the nuts and the coconut bring out more flavor.
  • Alternate ingredient: Applesauce can be used in place of the pineapple if you prefer.
  • Buttermilk: If you do not have buttermilk, indeed you can make your own, use one cup of milk to one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice.
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