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Post by crazy4scraps on Sept 22, 2023 19:49:58 GMT
I need a really good carrot cake recipe. Yes, I could Google but here’s the thing: I don’t actually *like* carrot cake so I don’t know what makes a recipe for it good or bad IYKWIM. (Yeah, I said it, I don’t like the stuff!)
We were having dinner at the neighbor’s last weekend and the topic of cake came up. She mentioned that it’s been years since she’s had a birthday cake. Her birthday is late in the fall after she goes back home from the lake, and there’s no one there who does that for her anymore. Her only sibling isn’t local, and at 78 her parents are long gone. No spouse, no kids.
Anyway, if you’ve humored me by reading this far, she said that carrot cake is her absolute favorite and I’d like to make her one to celebrate her birthday early before she goes home for the winter. So hit me up with links or recipes for your tried and true, *you actually ate it and it’s really good* carrot cake so I can make someone’s day with it! Thanks!
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Post by unknown pea on Sept 22, 2023 20:20:07 GMT
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,709 
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on Sept 22, 2023 20:36:29 GMT
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Post by Merge on Sept 22, 2023 20:56:31 GMT
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dawnnikol
Prolific Pea
'A life without books is a life not lived.' Jay Kristoff
Posts: 8,499
Sept 21, 2015 18:39:25 GMT
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Post by dawnnikol on Sept 22, 2023 22:09:16 GMT
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Post by crazy4scraps on Sept 23, 2023 0:01:54 GMT
Thanks so much all for the recommendations! I’ll check them all out and see which one looks the most doable. She’s not leaving for a few weeks so I’ll have time to do it so it’s a surprise. Both DH and DD like carrot cake plus whoever else we can rustle up to come to our impromptu party. 😁
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Post by lisacharlotte on Sept 23, 2023 2:49:46 GMT
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Sept 23, 2023 11:34:58 GMT
My daughter made me this one for Mother's Day a few years ago. IT was fantastic! |
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Post by KelleeM on Sept 23, 2023 11:58:29 GMT
I made Ina’s carrot cake many years ago and remember it being really good.
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Post by guzismom on Sept 23, 2023 12:18:03 GMT
Yes, carrot cake MUST have pineapple in it; it helps retain moisture and makes it oh so sweet.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Sept 23, 2023 15:04:42 GMT
Again, many thanks for the links! I’m sure my neighbor is going to be so happy! It’s been a rough couple of summers for her since her BFF at the lake passed away early in 2022 after a tragic auto accident in the fall of 2021. His passing has left a huge void in her (and well, everyone’s) life there and nothing is the same. I just want her to know how special she is to us.
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Post by flanz on Sept 23, 2023 16:51:39 GMT
Again, many thanks for the links! I’m sure my neighbor is going to be so happy! It’s been a rough couple of summers for her since her BFF at the lake passed away early in 2022 after a tragic auto accident in the fall of 2021. His passing has left a huge void in her (and well, everyone’s) life there and nothing is the same. I just want her to know how special she is to us. Thank you for being such a caring and thoughtful friend to your neighbor! The world needs so much more kindness and you're helping! |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Sept 23, 2023 17:09:11 GMT
Again, many thanks for the links! I’m sure my neighbor is going to be so happy! It’s been a rough couple of summers for her since her BFF at the lake passed away early in 2022 after a tragic auto accident in the fall of 2021. His passing has left a huge void in her (and well, everyone’s) life there and nothing is the same. I just want her to know how special she is to us. Thank you for being such a caring and thoughtful friend to your neighbor! The world needs so much more kindness and you're helping! Baking is my love language, LOL.  |
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
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Post by iowgirl on Sept 24, 2023 16:56:14 GMT
Yes, carrot cake MUST have pineapple in it; it helps retain moisture and makes it oh so sweet. Crushed pineapple - and even pineapple haters won't know it's in there. It is a must, along with oil. I have a super great recipe that has the crushed pineapple in it, oil, and you can add coconut, but I often leave that out. I add pecans in mine, which is also optional. 9 times out of 10, I make cupcakes instead of a cake. So much more shareable! I can pop a half dozen cupcakes in a container and gift them. Dollar Tree has really cheap cupcake carrier plastic containers. For $1.25 you can share cupcakes and not need the container back. I also only use parchment paper tulip liners for cupcakes. Easily found on Amazon and any baked item looks so professional! Use a piping bag to swirl on that yummy cream cheese frosting and they look professional and taste better than any bakery! Old Fashioned Carrot Cake2 Cups AP Flour 2 Cups Sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon 3 cups finely shredded carrots* 1 8¼ ounce can of crushed pineapple, undrained 1 cup cooking oil 4 eggs, beaten Mix dry ingredients and mix. Add carrot, undrained pineapple* and liquid ingredients and beat with mixer about 30 seconds, until combined. You can bake in two 9.5 rounds, a 9x13 or it makes about 24 cupcakes, my preference is the cupcakes. * If you have pineapple haters - just use an immersion blender to more finely crush up the pineapple and juice into more of a pineapple sauce. Cream Cheese Frosting8 oz cream cheese - softened 1 stick butter (1/2 cup) - softened 2 teaspoons vanilla (I use Molina) 4 1/2 to 5 cups sifted powdered sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. I use this grater to finely grate my carrots, using the small hole grater. It is awesome for fresh grated cheese (soft cheese like cheddar I use the larger hole grater, hard cheese like Parm, I use the small hole). Great for hash browns too. Hands down these are the best type of graters! Rotary GraterI love these parchment tulip papers for cupcakes, brownies, and muffins! Tulip Papers The Newsprint style is super fun too! Tulip Papers, newsprintI like to pipe on the frosting - these Wilton tips are the best quality. I usually use the 1M tip. I buy the large disposable piping bags, but this kit comes with a few bags, I don't know if they are the big ones though. Wilton Cupcake piping kit You do not need one ounce of cake decorating skill to pipe cupcakes. Squeeze and swirl. Dollar Tree cupcake carriers You can get these individually in the Dollar Tree store if you don't want to order. |
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Post by cadoodlebug on Sept 24, 2023 17:33:39 GMT
I use Gerber's Baby food carrots instead of grating carrots. Makes the cake incredibly moist. No raisins and no pineapple. Lots of chopped nuts. I'll find the recipe and post it.
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milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,588
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
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Post by milocat on Sept 24, 2023 17:53:16 GMT
Yes, carrot cake MUST have pineapple in it; it helps retain moisture and makes it oh so sweet. Crushed pineapple - and even pineapple haters won't know it's in there. It is a must, along with oil. I have a super great recipe that has the crushed pineapple in it, oil, and you can add coconut, but I often leave that out. I add pecans in mine, which is also optional. 9 times out of 10, I make cupcakes instead of a cake. So much more shareable! Old Fashioned Carrot Cake2 Cups AP Flour 2 Cups Sugar 1 3/4 cup flour1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 tsp baking soda1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 tsp cinnamon3 cups finely shredded carrots* 2 cups shredded carrots1 8¼ ounce can of crushed pineapple, undrained 398 ml can (which is 14 oz) drained
1 cup cooking oil 4 eggs, beaten 3 eggs1 tsp vanilla
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts
Mix dry ingredients and mix. Add carrot, undrained pineapple* and liquid ingredients and beat with mixer about 30 seconds, until combined. Sift dry ingredients together. Add oilc eggs, vanilla until smooth. Stir in carrots coconut, walnuts and pineapple.You can bake in two 9.5 rounds, a 9x13 or it makes about 24 cupcakes, my preference is the cupcakes. Bake 9x13 pan at 350F for 45 mins * If you have pineapple haters - just use an immersion blender to more finely crush up the pineapple and juice into more of a pineapple sauce. My recipe is almost the same. People don't like carrot cake because it is often dry, the pineapple and oil are so moist. People can never believe there is pineapple in it. |
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
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Post by iowgirl on Sept 24, 2023 18:08:42 GMT
My recipe is almost the same. People don't like carrot cake because it is often dry, the pineapple and oil are so moist. People can never believe there is pineapple in it. I should have added that mine is a Better Homes & Gardens recipe - so it is probably the basis for many carrot cake recipes! BH&G recipes are tried and true! I have a BH&G baking book from the late 80's. Every single thing I have made from it, is off the charts good. It's my baking bible! LOL |
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Post by refugeepea on Sept 24, 2023 18:44:16 GMT
Again, many thanks for the links! I’m sure my neighbor is going to be so happy! It’s been a rough couple of summers for her since her BFF at the lake passed away early in 2022 after a tragic auto accident in the fall of 2021. His passing has left a huge void in her (and well, everyone’s) life there and nothing is the same. I just want her to know how special she is to us. |
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Post by compeateropeator on Sept 24, 2023 22:04:51 GMT
For a slightly different option, but oh so yummy is Akathy’s carrot bars which also uses baby food carrots. It is just a smooth cake texture (except for the nuts if you use them which is a big yes for me) with cream cheese frosting. So easy and yummy but not really a traditional carrot cake. Her recipe makes a huge batch so I often halve it.
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scrappinwithoutpeas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,010
Location: Northern Virginia
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Post by scrappinwithoutpeas on Sept 25, 2023 1:20:07 GMT
You already have a lot of recipes to choose from so I won't add another, but I agree about it having crushed pineapple and raisins! I use golden raisins, because years ago when I started making carrot cake, my kids told me they'd reject it outright if I put dark raisins in it. The golden ones are much more likable LOL.
My tips/suggestions:
+ golden raisins
+ use fresh (large, not baby carrots) grated carrots - doing them in the food processor makes it go really fast and you need the moisture from the fresh-grated ones (not pre-shredded)
+ add zest of one orange to the cake batter - I also put orange juice and zest in the cream cheese frosting
My family loves my carrot cake made this way.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Sept 25, 2023 2:38:27 GMT
You already have a lot of recipes to choose from so I won't add another, but I agree about it having crushed pineapple and raisins! I use golden raisins, because years ago when I started making carrot cake, my kids told me they'd reject it outright if I put dark raisins in it. The golden ones are much more likable LOL. My tips/suggestions: + golden raisins + use fresh (large, not baby carrots) grated carrots - doing them in the food processor makes it go really fast and you need the moisture from the fresh-grated ones (not pre-shredded) + add zest of one orange to the cake batter - I also put orange juice and zest in the cream cheese frosting My family loves my carrot cake made this way. Thanks for the tips! I have a ton of regular raisins that I use for oatmeal raisin cookies but I’ll get some golden raisins for this.  |
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Post by tenacious on Sept 25, 2023 3:46:35 GMT
The Southern Living Carrot Cake posted above is my tried and true, never fails, yummiest carrot cake recipe. It’s amazing!
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,709
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on Sept 25, 2023 4:58:03 GMT
I guess I'm the odd one out, no raisins or pineapple or other citrus for me! Blended fine but no chunks or sharp flavor. I love the texture shredded carrots and nuts add. But since emy family doesn't like nuts sometimes I just put them on top of the frosting.
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Post by pjaye on Sept 25, 2023 5:53:48 GMT
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Post by crazy4scraps on Sept 25, 2023 22:41:28 GMT
I’m probably going to make it as a 9x13 to make transport easier since I’ll most likely bake it at home and bring it there (it’s a one hour drive) so that’s a consideration. We have a bunch of those plastic rectangle meal prep containers at the lake so after the “party” I’ll just fill up a couple of those containers with leftover cake for her so I can have my pan back. That way she doesn’t have to worry about returning anything since she will be going back home soon.
I’d do cupcakes but even in a container it would be hard to keep them from bouncing around and getting messed up on the drive in our truck.
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