Description
This Pineapple Carrot Cream Cake is a moist and delicious dessert combining the warmth of spices with the tropical sweetness of pineapple and the earthiness of fresh carrots. Sweetened naturally with honey and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, it offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures that will transport you to a sunlit slice of paradise.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup honey (instead of sugar)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Frosting Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Garnish
- Light touch of maple syrup for shine
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans to prevent sticking and prepare for baking.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground ginger. Whisk these together to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
- Combine the Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat the vegetable oil, eggs, and honey until the mixture is glossy and smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract for added sweetness and aroma.
- Add the Goodness: Gently fold the grated carrots, drained crushed pineapple, and optional chopped walnuts into the wet mixture. The batter should become rich with golden hues and pop with textures.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The aroma filling your kitchen will be warm and inviting.
- Frost with Love: Allow the cakes to cool completely. Prepare the frosting by beating together the cream cheese, butter, honey, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Spread the frosting between the layers and over the top of the cake.
- Optional Garnishing: Garnish the frosted cake with pineapple bits and a light drizzle of maple syrup to add a glossy finish and a subtle touch of extra sweetness.
Notes
- If using walnuts, ensure they are fresh for optimal flavor and texture.
- Draining the crushed pineapple well prevents the cake batter from becoming too wet.
- Allow the cake layers to cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the cream cheese frosting.
- The honey in the recipe acts as a natural sweetener, but adjust quantity to taste if preferred sweeter or less sweet.
- For a softer crumb, sift the dry ingredients before mixing.
