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carrot cake recipe best old fashioned moist sheet cake raisins orange mace nutmeg cream cheese frosting

Old Fashioned Carrot Cake

By Kimberly Killebrew
Tender, moist and rich with that warming vintage taste of yesteryear, this Old Fashioned Carrot Cake is simple to make and is simply perfect!  
4.98 from 89 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 9 servings

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 1 cup pureed carrots (boil just under a pound of carrots until soft; drain and cool, then puree in a food processor)
  • 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground mace
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted and cooled to room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
  • 4 ounces cream cheese , room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter , room temperature
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon quality pure vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • To toast the walnuts, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the walnuts out on the baking sheet and bake for 6-8 minutes, or until the walnuts start to darken. Let the walnuts cool and then coarsely chop them.
    Line the bottom of an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease the sides of the pan.
  • In small bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
    In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and brown sugar until combined. Add the milk, vanilla extract, orange zest and melted butter. Add the flour mixture and carrot puree and beat just until combined. Do not over-beat. Using a rubber spatula, stir in the walnuts and raisins.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan and use the rubber spatula to smooth the top. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, then carefully invert it onto a serving plate.
  • To make the frosting, beat all the ingredients in a mixing bowl until combined. Once the cake has fully cooled, spread the frosting onto the top and sides of the cake.

Nutrition

Calories: 463kcalCarbohydrates: 67gProtein: 6gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 296mgPotassium: 350mgFiber: 2gSugar: 45gVitamin A: 3013IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 124mgIron: 2mg
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
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