Carrot Cake with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting

This delightful carrot cake, infused with warm spices and topped with a creamy frosting, is a treat that brightens any occasion. It's a comforting dessert that brings together the natural sweetness of carrots with rich flavors of walnuts and spices. The cake is moist and fluffy, perfect for a special celebration or just a cozy gathering with friends. What makes this cake even more appealing is its versatility – you can easily adapt it to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. The cream cheese frosting adds a perfect balance of tanginess against the sweet, spicy cake, while the cranberries and powdered sugar ensure an extra festive touch. With a preparation time of about two hours, this cake is a lovely baking project for an afternoon. It's impressive yet approachable for bakers of all skill levels, making it a wonderful culinary adventure in the kitchen. Share slices with loved ones to spread warmth and delight as you enjoy the rich, spiced flavors of this scrumptious carrot cake.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

250 g oil
145 g sugar
3 eggs
540 g carrots
110 g chopped walnuts
375 g all-purpose flour
2 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp gingerbread spices (such as cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, coriander, nutmeg, etc.)

For the Frosting:

30 g butter at room temperature
80 g cream cheese at room temperature
1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
240 g powdered sugar
For decoration: cranberries and powdered sugar

Preparation Time

Total Time: 120 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat your oven to 180°C. Line a 23 cm baking pan with parchment paper and grease the edges with a bit of butter.
Peel and grate the carrots using a coarse grater. This will help keep the cake moist and add texture.
In a mixer or food processor, beat together the oil, sugar, and eggs until well combined. It should be smooth and slightly fluffy.
Stir in the grated carrots and chopped walnuts using a wooden spoon until just combined, ensuring the mixture is evenly distributed.
In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and your chosen gingerbread spices.
Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, folding gently with a wooden spoon until the batter is smooth.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, ensuring the top is smooth and even.
Bake in the oven for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool for 5 minutes before removing it from the pan and placing it on a wire rack to cool completely.
If the top of the cake has domed, trim it with a bread knife to flatten before frosting and decorating.
For the frosting, beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add the lemon zest (if using) and powdered sugar, mixing until the frosting is well blended and fluffy.
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake, ensuring it is fully covered.
Decorate the cake with cranberries and a dusting of powdered sugar for a festive look.
Slice and serve your beautifully frosted carrot cake, delighting your guests with its warm, spiced flavors and creamy topping.

Tips

Substitute the walnuts with pecans if desired, or omit them for a nut-free version.
For more intense spice flavor, adjust the amount of gingerbread spices to your preference.
Ensure the cake is completely cool before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.

Nutrients

Calories: Approximately 450 per slice
Protein: 6 g
Fats: 20 g
Carbohydrates: 60 g

Variations

Add a handful of raisins to the batter for extra sweetness.
Use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose to increase the fiber content.
Make a vegan version by replacing eggs with flax eggs and using a dairy-free cream cheese.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a cup of herbal tea or a latte.
Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.

Best Places

The Carrot Patch Café - Known for its exquisite carrot cakes. Location: 123 Baker St, London, UK.
Spice & Sweet Bakeshop - Offers a variety of spiced cakes. Location: 456 Maple Rd, New York, USA.
Carrot & Cake Delight - Specializes in vegan carrot cakes. Location: 789 Granville Ave, Vancouver, Canada.
Gingerbread House - Famous for its flavored gingerbread cakes. Location: 101 Biscuit Blvd, Dublin, Ireland.
Nutty Delights Bakery - Renowned for walnut-infused treats. Location: 202 Pecan Lane, Melbourne, Australia.
Cream Cheese Haven - Known for its flavorful frostings. Location: 303 Frost St, Paris, France.
Baked Bliss - Celebrates diverse baking techniques. Location: 404 Butter St, Rome, Italy.
The Sweet Spot - Offers unique spins on classic cakes. Location: 505 Sugar Ave, Tokyo, Japan.
Crumb & Spice - Famed for spiced desserts. Location: 606 Spice Blvd, Mumbai, India.
Carrot King - A go-to place for carrot-based desserts. Location: 707 Veggie Rd, Cape Town, South Africa.