Carrot Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
This recipe outlines how to create a moist and flavorful carrot cake, complemented by a tangy lemon cream cheese frosting. It combines classic warm spices with fresh carrots and walnuts, resulting in a delightful dessert perfect for any occasion. The instructions cover both cake preparation and frosting, promising a rich and satisfying homemade treat.
Equipment
- 1 Electric Mixer
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 1 9x13 inch Baking Pan
- 1 Grater (for carrots)
- 1 Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
Main
- 4 3-ounce packages cream cheese
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine
- 1 2/3 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cups sugar granulated
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground clove
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups canola oil
- 4 eggs
- 3 1/2 cups carrots grated
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.;
- In an electric mixer beat the cream cheese and butter on high until smooth. Then add confectioners' sugar. Continue to beat on high until the lumps have all dissolve. Finally, beat in vanilla extract and lemon juice on low speed until the frosting is completely mixed.;
- In a large mixing bowl combine, sugar, flour, salt, spices, and baking soda. Add oil to the dry ingredients and mix well. Add eggs; beat in one at a time.
- Once the batter is properly mixed, stir in carrots and walnuts. Pour the cake batter into a greased 9 by 13-inch pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 60 to 70 minutes or until golden brown.
- Once cake has cooled, frost and sprinkle chopped walnuts on top as a garnish.
Notes
For the cream cheese frosting, ensure both cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for a smooth, lump-free consistency. Over-mixing the frosting can incorporate too much air, making it less stable; beat only until just smooth. When adding eggs to the cake batter, incorporate them one at a time to emulsify properly and ensure a tender crumb. Avoid overmixing the cake batter once the dry ingredients are combined with the wet, as this can lead to a tough cake. The bake time may vary slightly depending on your oven; check for doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center—it should come out clean. Cooling the cake completely before frosting is crucial to prevent the frosting from melting.