Friends, I have been dying to show you this recipe! Carrot and coconut flakes in a cake? Yes! Yes!! Yes!!! Seriously, nothing could be better. My mint tea has found a new bestie in this carrot cake.
Apart from the fact that the orange colour makes it visually appealing (I mean, just look at that!), this cake has an awesome taste. It is sweet, moist, full of carrots, dense, divine, heavenly, phenomenal, fantastic!
AND the cream cheese frosting on the top is everything! See, I'm not a fan of frosting on my cake. This is how I like to have my cake:
Without the 'sinful' frosting. BUT the cream cheese frosting used in this recipe is so cheesy, creamy and yummy that I couldn't resist adding it. Just a heads up though that I use less sugar in my cake and frosting compared to others because I don't like/want anything overly sweet. And I do not want my girls to like anything very sweet so my sugar is always low. Feel free to add more sugar if you wish.
Let's talk aout this cake for a minute. It is so easy to make. You need flour, shredded carrots, shredded coconut, apple sauce, oil, sugar, eggs.
You also need baking powder, baking soda, salt and some ground cinnamon. If you do not have cinnamon, feel free to substitute with nutmeg.
You make the cake by mixing all dried ingredients then adding the wet ingredients gradually to form this stunning orange-looking batter. It's a one-bowl mixing affair!
Then you put the batter into a cake pan and bake to perfection. You could alternately put the batter into cupcake pans and bake. This recipe will make about 24 cupcakes.
Aha!
When your cake is ready, let it cool completely while you make your cream cheese frosting. You need some unsalted butter, cream cheese, confectioner's (icing) sugar and vanilla extract.
Mix them all together. Oh honey!
I flipped my cake so I could spread the frosting on the side which was flat.
Spread all of that creaminess on top. Oh baby!
At this point, ladies and gentlemen...
Eat. Eat some more. Collapse. Wake up. Eat again.
If you are like me, cut some and put in a bowl so you can tightly cover and place in the referigerator for further fuss-free enjoyment.
Carrot Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups (250 g) flour all-purpose
- 1 cup coconut flakes
- ½ cup apple sauce unsweetened
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder or nutmeg
- 1 cup (200 g) sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup sugar icing
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Grease a 9 inch baking pan with vegetable oil or line 2 cupcake pans with 24 cupcake liners.
- Pre-heat oven to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit or 176 Degrees Celsius.
- Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, salt and cinnamon (or nutmeg) powder in a bowl.
- Add in coconut flakes, shredded carrots, vegetable oil and apple sauce then mix until it forms a very thick paste.
- Beat eggs and add in one at a time and beat with the mixture. The batter will get lighter and lighter as you do this.
- Pour batter into greased baking pan or cupcake pans and place in oven to bake for about 30-45 minutes.
- It is ready when an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow to cool completely for about an hour then you can proceed with the frosting.
For the frosting
- Place butter, cream cheese, icing sugar and vanilla extract into a bowl.
- Beat with an electric mixer until it gets easily spreadable. Note that the more you beat it, the softer it becomes. If you do not have an electric mixer, place your butter and cream cheese out of the fridge for a while so they get to room temperature and become softer. Then use a spoon to mix everything together with the dry ingredients.
- Spread frosting over cake then cut and serve.
- Eat and enjoy your life!
Notes
Nutrition
WHY IT'S A SMART CHOICE
If you make this recipe, please post a picture on my Facebook page, Precious Core. I'll love to see!
Rondeezee says
Will surely try this. Good job Precious!
Precious says
Please let us know how it goes, Rondeezee.
stephylately says
Wow, Precious why do you do this to me? Each time you make something, My taste buds are left hanging. I am definitely trying this recipe. It looks yummy.x
Precious says
Hahaha I'm sowie Stephy.
Bola says
Yummy cake. Bookmarked already! Presh did I tell you that I tried one of the ice cream recipes? It turned out really fine. Keep 'em coming. Enjoy the week.
Precious says
Yes!!! I love recipe testimonies like this. Thanks for letting me know, Bola.
Brenda says
let me say this in Pidgin.
Precious, your blog is taking one kind look wey de make trip for am... I love it...
You sabi make person throat do longer throat sha
http://www.Brendascouch.com
Precious says
Awww thanks Bren!
S2C says
Waoh! This looks so yummy. I bet it tastes delicious too.
You make it all seem so easy.
Precious says
It is really easy, dear.
enakhe says
can I make this without apple sauce or is there a substitute .because I haven't heard of this
Precious says
Hi, you could use yogurt as a substitute for apple sauce. Apple sauce is a sauce made of pureed/blended apples. Hope this helps.
Tega Enai says
You make me salivate every time. Looks really yummy.
Tega Enai Blog
xoxo..
Precious says
Thanks, darling!
Arrey Echi says
Recipe printed and ready to try soon so that I can also eat and sleep and wake up and eat again 🙂
Thanks for the tips sis.
http://www.joy2endure.com
http://joy2endure.com/index.php/warrior-s-diary/82-sickle-cell-awareness-why-it-is-important-to-know-the-different-types-of-sickle-cell-diseases
Precious says
Yes to printing!
You're welcome, sis.
Enjoy!
Bubu Green says
Tasted this once and I was like wow! The funny thing is that you don't actually taste carrots, it's just a fusion of sweet goodness. I sure will try this out when I have the time.
http://www.bubusboulevard.com
Cheechee says
Ahh I like the eat.eat.collapse.wakeup and eat again part.You and food are meant to be.
http://www.CheecheeLIVE.com
Celia says
Hello Precious, I love all these cakes they look good and surely taste delicious. Please, can I suggest you try to please some of us by making something for vegetarians without eggs. Pleaseeeeee.
Precious says
Hi Celia,
I would eventually share vegan-friendly cake recipes.
Cecile says
Hi precious have learnt so much from your blog you are doing a great job 👍👍👍 will try out this carrot cake using your recipe. Thanks so much
Precious says
Please let me know how the carrot cake goes, Cecile. Thanks dear!
Celia says
Hello Precious dear. That carrot cake looks delicious, I tried it without eggs and it was wonderful. But am still waiting ... you promised doing something for vegans ...
Langaman says
Carrot and flakes baked in a cake. I mouth watering likely wonder how it feels to slowly chew into a bite, savouring every single particle. If wishes were horses.
Precious says
It is so good!