The Ultimate Carrot Cake – Preppy Kitchen

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Carrots

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Peel 1 pound of carrots, which will yield approximately 3 cups once grated.

Step 2: Chop and Toast Pecans

Chop 1 cup (120g) of pecans. For enhanced flavor, toast them in the preheated oven for 4 minutes, moving them around occasionally, until they are fragrant.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, add 2 1/2 cups (300g) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Whisk these dry ingredients together until they are well combined.

Step 4: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar and 1 cup packed (220g) light brown sugar (breaking up any lumps with your hands). Add 1 1/3 cup (320ml) vegetable oil, 4 large eggs, and 2 teaspoons (10ml) vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and thick.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently fold the mixture together with a spatula until it is mostly combined, leaving some visible streaks of flour. Do not overmix.

Step 6: Add Carrots and Pecans

Add the chopped pecans and grated carrots to the batter. Continue to fold until the ingredients are just combined, ensuring no dry pockets of flour remain. The batter will appear thick.

Step 7: Prepare Cake Pans

Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper rounds. This step helps prevent the cakes from sticking.

Step 8: Fill Cake Pans and Bake

Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. You can help the batter spread with a spatula to ensure it reaches the edges and is fairly level. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.

Step 9: Cream Butter for Frosting

In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream 1 cup (227g) softened unsalted butter on medium speed for about 1 minute. Continue mixing until it is nice and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps.

Step 10: Add Cream Cheese to Butter

While the butter is creaming, ensure your 1 (8-ounce/227g) block of cream cheese is at room temperature. Add the softened cream cheese to the butter in the mixer. Mix on medium speed for 30-45 seconds until it is fluffy and well combined. Scrape down the bowl to incorporate any butter or cream cheese stuck to the sides.

Step 11: Add Powdered Sugar and Vanilla

With the mixer on low speed, gradually add 4 to 5 cups (480-600g) of powdered sugar, one cup at a time, to prevent it from flying out of the bowl. Once all the sugar is added, mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Continue mixing until the frosting is smooth, thick, and has a lovely texture. Taste and adjust sweetness as desired.

Step 12: Cool and Unmold Cakes

Allow the baked cake layers to cool completely in their pans. Once cooled, gently tap the sides of the pan to loosen the cake, then invert to unmold. Carefully remove the parchment paper from the bottom of each layer.

Step 13: Assemble Cake

Place one cake layer onto a cake stand. Add about 3/4 cup of cream cheese frosting to the top of this layer and smooth it out evenly, working the frosting towards the edge. Carefully place the second cake layer directly on top of the frosted first layer.

Step 14: Frost Cake

Plop the remaining frosting onto the top of the second cake layer. Smooth the top surface of the cake, then work the frosting down the sides to create an even coat. For a very smooth finish, use a bench scraper around the sides.

Step 15: Decorate Cake

Pipe beautiful dollops of frosting around the top edge of the cake using a closed star tip, giving each dollop a little shimmy for movement. Finish by sprinkling chopped pecans generously over the top center of the cake. Optionally, pipe a cute skirt or border around the bottom edge of the cake.

Step 16: Serve and Enjoy

Slice your finished carrot cake and it's ready to be enjoyed! The cake should have a delicate, moist crumb with all the spices, crunchy pecans, carrots, and rich cream cheese frosting.

• Properly measure flour by fluffing it in the canister, sprinkling it into the measuring cup, and leveling it off, rather than scooping and packing, to avoid a bready cake.

• Toast pecans for 4 minutes at 350°F (175°C) for enhanced flavor and fragrance.

• Do not overmix the cake batter; mix only until ingredients are just combined to keep the cake tender.

• Use parchment paper rounds in the bottom of your cake pans as an insurance policy against sticking and cracking.

• Ensure butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for the frosting to achieve a smooth, lump-free consistency. If cream cheese is too hard, microwave it at 50% power for 20-second bursts.

• Scrape down the mixer bowl frequently when making frosting to ensure all ingredients are incorporated evenly.

• Add powdered sugar to frosting on low speed to prevent it from flying out of the bowl.

• Cool cake layers completely in their pans before unmolding and frosting to prevent them from cracking.

• Weighing cake layers will ensure they bake evenly and have the same height for a professional look.

• If your mixer bowl is ice cold when making frosting, it can harden the butter/cream cheese on the edges, leading to lumps. Warm the bowl slightly if needed.

• Use walnuts instead of pecans for a different nutty flavor.

• Skip nuts entirely if you prefer or have allergies, though they add a lovely texture.

• Replace up to half a cup of vegetable oil with applesauce, crushed pineapple, or mashed banana to add moisture and reduce fat.

• Experiment with other warming spices like cardamom, allspice, or cloves in the dry ingredients (e.g., 1/2 tsp cardamom, 1/2 tsp allspice, 1/4 tsp cloves).

• Add the zest of one orange to the cream cheese frosting for a beautiful citrusy flavor.