Simple Carrot Cake

A simple carrot cake cake, baked in a bundt pan, topped with a brown sugar sticky toffee pudding sauce and a cream cheese whipped cream.

How can I make this a layer cake?

To make this a layer cake either bake in an 8″ round springform pan or a 9″x13″ metal pan. Then cut into 4 layers (for the 9 x 13 pan, cut into two rectangles and then each one into two layers). Soak with the sticky toffee pudding sauce and then fill with the cream cheese whipped cream.

Can I make this cake in advance?

Yes! But I would wait to top it until you plan to serve if serving as a single layer cake. If stacking, you can absolutely stack it the day before. Just be sure to store the cake in an airtight container or wrapped up at room temperature.

Tips for making a Carrot Cake

• This cake can be baked in all different sizes and pans. This bundt cake is sort of a medium size and would be the perfect amount for an 8″ or 9″ cake pan. If you want to do a 7″ cake pan, decrease the batter by 1/3 so use two eggs and reduce all the other ingredients by 1/3. To make this in a large bundt pan, you’ll want to double the recipe.
• When using a bundt pan I always spray it with a baking spray that includes flour for easy removal! Wait to spray the pan until you’re ready to add in the cake batter, otherwise it will all run down and pool at the bottom of the pan.
• To stack this cake into layers I would either bake it in an 8″ pan and cut 4 thin layers or bake in a 9×13 pan. Cut in half to create two rectangles and then cut each of those into two layers. Soak the layers with the sticky toffee sauce and layer with the cream cheese whipped cream.
• If you don’t have crushed pineapple, applesauce and a little squeeze of lemon will work too!
• Don’t be afraid of fully baking this cake, it should be a deep golden brown. The cake won’t dry out because of the carrot and apple. Always check by poking the center of the cake with a toothpick. It should come out clean or with crumbs but not liquid batter.
• If you want the cake to soak up extra sauce you could take the cake out of the pan, pour some sauce in and put the cake back in for about 15 minutes.

Additional Recipes to try!

• Yogurt Plum Cake
• Feta Cheesecake
• Banana Cake

Carrot Cake Ingredients

• Carrot: Medium sized fresh carrots are best for this cake, don’t use pre-shredded carrots as they are too dry.
• Crushed Pineapple: I like adding crushed pineapple into this cake to add moisture and brightness but you can also substitute it with applesauce.
• Eggs: Standard large eggs are used for this recipe.
• Sugar: White granulated sugar and dark brown sugar are both used in the cake batter and dark brown sugar is also in the sticky toffee sauce.
• Fine Sea Salt: Salt needs to be added to enhance the flavors in the cake and the filling.
• Vanilla: Vanilla extract is used in the cake and vanilla bean paste is used in the filling but you can also use vanilla extract for the filling.
• Sour Cream: A bit of sour cream gives this cake a thick but tender texture. You could also use full fat greek yogurt.
• Oil: I like to use olive oil in this cake but any vegetable oil will work!
• Orange Zest: The zest of an orange is added into the cake batter for more flavor.
• Flour: I used all purpose flour for this cake, any brand should work!
• Baking Powder & Soda: Baking powder and soda make the cake light and fluffy so make sure they aren’t expired.
• Butter: Salted butter is used for the base of the sticky toffee sauce.
• Cream Cheese: Cream cheese is the main base of the whipped cream filling.
• Heavy Cream: Heavy cream is whipped with the cream cheese for the filling, just make sure it’s cold. It is also used in the sticky toffee sauce!
• Lemon Juice: The juice of a lemon brightens the flavor of the cream cheese without making it too tart or taste too much like lemon.

How to make an Easy Carrot Cake

Make the Cake

• Preheat the oven to 350 F and place a rack in the center of the oven.
• With a box grater, or a food processor, grate the large carrots on the large hole side. Add the carrots and crushed pineapple (or applesauce and lemon juice) into a bowl and stir to combine.
• In a separate large bowl, add in the white sugar, orange zest and grated ginger (ps there’s no need to peel it). Rub the zest and ginger into the sugar with your fingers. Then add in the dark brown sugar, eggs, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla. Whisk until well combined.
• Add in the sour cream and oil and mix again.
• Dump in the all purpose flour, baking soda and baking powder. Whisk until about halfway mixed. Then add in the carrot and pineapple mixture and finish mixing with a rubber spatula.
• Spray your bundt pan with a baking spray that includes flour.
• Pour the cake batter into the lined pan.
• Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, rotate the cake 180 degrees and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 15-20 minutes.
• To flip the cake out, place a sheet of parchment over the cake and then a plate upside down over the parchment. Holding onto the pan, parchment and plate, flip the cake in one smooth move and the cake should fall right out of the pan. Leave it to cool completely before topping or stacking.

Sticky Toffee Sauce

• In a small sauce pot add in the butter and place over low heat to melt. Add in the brown sugar and stir and cook until it starts to bubble. It’ll look a little funny/ separated, no stress.
• Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring. Stir constantly until just steaming, it doesn’t need to boil. If using unsalted butter add a pinch of fine sea salt. Then remove from the heat and pour into a separate container to cool for at least 10 minutes.
• The longer it cools the thicker it will become.

Cream Cheese Whipped Cream

• In a medium mixing bowl add in the cream cheese and beat until smooth.
• Add in half of the heavy cream and whip until stiff. Add in the second half of the cream and repeat whipping until stiff.
• Last but not least, add in a pinch of salt and the juice of one lemon and whip once more.

Final Touches

• To serve, slowly pour the sticky toffee sauce over the top of the cake so that it has a chance to sink in.
• Top with a thick layer of the cream cheese whipped cream.
• Finish off with a sprinkle of flaky salt and fresh fruit such as figs if you want!
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

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