Are you craving a comforting, yet elegant dessert that's perfect for any occasion? Look no further than this moist and delicious Carrot Cake Recipe Bundt! This recipe delivers a perfectly spiced carrot cake with a beautiful, evenly baked bundt shape. It's surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner bakers, making it a fantastic addition to your repertoire of easy recipes and healthy meals. Forget those dry, crumbly carrot cakes of the past – this recipe guarantees a tender, flavorful experience that will impress your friends and family. Get ready to enjoy this homemade cooking masterpiece!
Ingredients:
This recipe uses readily available ingredients, making it a perfect choice for a quick dinner idea or a special weekend bake.
-
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained (optional)
-
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Get started: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan thoroughly. This is crucial for easy removal of the cake later.
Make the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Add the remaining ingredients: Fold in the grated carrots, nuts (if using), and pineapple (if using).
Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and frost: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the frosting: While the cake is cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until light and fluffy.
Frost the cake: Once the cake is completely cool, frost it generously with the cream cheese frosting.
Tips and Variations:
- For a richer flavor: Use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar.
- Add some spice: Experiment with different spices like ginger or cardamom.
- Make it healthier: Use whole wheat flour or reduce the amount of sugar.
- Get creative with add-ins: Try adding raisins, cranberries, or chocolate chips.
- Make it vegan: Substitute the eggs with flax eggs and use vegan butter and cream cheese.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This information is based on a 12-serving cake and may vary depending on specific ingredients used.
- Calories: Approximately 350-400
- Fat: Approximately 18-22g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 45-50g
- Protein: Approximately 4-5g
This Carrot Cake Recipe Bundt is a delicious and relatively healthy dessert option perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. The beautiful presentation makes it ideal for parties or special occasions, while its ease of preparation makes it perfect for a weeknight treat. Enjoy this simple yet impressive recipe!