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best carrot cake ever

goirish86 avatar
Recipe by
linda hennessey
@goirish86
chesterfield, MO

This carrot cake is moist and flavorful and a big hit with all who try it. I think it is the Best Carrot Cake Ever!

yield 12 serving(s)
prep time 30 Min
cook time 40 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For best carrot cake ever

  • COMBINE
  • 2 c
    sugar, granulated
  • 1-1/4 c
    applesauce, unsweetened
  • 3
    eggs, room temperature
  • COMBINE
  • 2 c
    all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp
    baking soda
  • 1-1/2 tsp
    baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp
    salt
  • 1 tsp
    cinnamon
  • STIR IN
  • 2 c
    carrots, grated
  • 1 c
    sweetened coconut, shredded
  • 1 tsp
    vanilla extract
  • 1 c
    pecans, chopped
  • 1 c
    crushed pineapple in juice, do not drain
  • FROSTING
  • 1/2 c
    butter, softened
  • 8 oz
    cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tsp
    vanilla extract
  • 1 lb
    powdered sugar
  • TOP
  • toasted coconut
  • chopped pecans

How To Make best carrot cake ever

  • 1
    Combine sugar, applesauce and eggs in large bowl.
  • 2
    In small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add to first ingredients.
  • 3
    Stir in the carrots, coconut, vanilla, nuts, pineapple.
  • 4
    Pour batter into two greased and floured 9-inch round pans. Note: I also added round cut parchment paper on the bottom of the pan to ensure it didn't stick.
  • 5
    Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
  • 6
    Let cakes cool in pan for about 10 minutes then remove and place on cooling rack to cool completely.
  • 7
    Make the frosting by beating the butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Add in the vanilla. Add in powdered sugar a little at at time and beat until smooth.
  • 8
    Place one cake on cake stand and apply frosting on top and spread. Place second cake on top and ice the top of that and the sides.
  • 9
    To decorate, Place small bowl upside down on cake and place chopped pecans around it (the bowl helps you to make a perfect circle of nuts). Then sprinkle toasted coconut in the middle. Refrigerate for an hour before serving.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!

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