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How to Make Carrot Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting - A Step-by-Step Guide

Carrot Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a delightful dessert that combines the sweetness of carrots and apples with the rich decadence of cream cheese frosting. This moist and flavorful cake is perfect for any occasion, whether it's a casual weekend gathering or a special celebration.

This recipe is a twist on the classic carrot cake, incorporating the natural sweetness of apples for a unique and delicious flavor. The addition of apples adds a wonderful depth to the cake, whil...

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Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups grated carrot
  • 1 cup peeled and grated Granny Smith apple
  • ¾ cup raisins (Optional)
  • ¾ cup chopped pecans (Optional)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 4 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream, or as needed

Information

  • Prep Time: 1 hr
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Cool Time: 2 hrs
  • Total Time: 3 hrs 45 mins
  • Servings: 16

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 8-inch square pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
  • Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice together in a bowl; set aside.
  • Beat butter, oil, brown sugar, and white sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat batter for an additional 2 minutes after adding last egg. Beat in vanilla extract. Pour in half of the flour mixture; mix on low speed until just combined. Pour in buttermilk; mix until just combined. Pour in remaining flour mixture; mix until just combined. Fold in carrot, apple, raisins, and pecans.
  • Divide batter evenly between the two pans. Spread into an even layer in each pan.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the top of the cake springs back lightly when touched and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes.
  • Allow cakes to cool in pans for 20 minutes; remove to a wire rack to cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours more.
  • Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until completely smooth; beat in cream cheese until smooth and thoroughly combined. Beat in confectioners' sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition; beat in vanilla and salt. Add in heavy cream; beat on medium-high until frosting is slightly fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  • Spread frosting onto one cooled cake layer. Stack layers; frost top and sides.

    • Nutrition

    580 cal.

    • Total Fat: 28g
    • Saturated Fat: 16g
    • Cholesterol: 113mg
    • Sodium: 289mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 78g
    • Dietary Fiber: 1g
    • Protein: 7g
    • Potassium: 156mg

    Categories

    Carrot cake recipes
    Apple cake recipes
    Cream cheese frosting recipes
    Dessert recipes
    Baking recipes