Sweet Carrot Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe
Whipping up a delightful carrot pound cake can turn an ordinary afternoon into a sweet celebration of flavor.
Moist crumbs packed with warm spices promise a delectable treat that surprises even seasoned bakers.
Carrots bring unexpected richness to this classic dessert, creating a tender texture that melts in your mouth.
Nutmeg and cinnamon dance through each bite, complementing the natural sweetness of grated vegetables.
Cream cheese glaze adds a luxurious finish that makes this cake irresistible for casual gatherings or special occasions.
Confident home cooks will appreciate how simple ingredients combine to create something truly magical.
Slice into this incredible dessert and watch everyone ask for seconds.
Glazed Goodness That Defines Carrot Pound Cake
Burrata Bruschetta (Christmas) Ingredient Guide
Main Ingredients:
Cake Base:Leavening Agents:Spices:Liquid Components:Glaze Ingredients:Additional Components:Christmas Burrata Bruschetta: Quick Assembly Guide
Step 1: Warm Up the Oven
Get your oven ready by heating it to 350°F. Prepare your loaf pan by coating it with a light layer of grease and a dusting of flour, or line it with parchment paper for easy cake removal.
Step 2: Create the Dry Mixture
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together your dry ingredients with enthusiasm:Set this magical powder blend aside for now.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and looks like a cloud of sweet goodness. This should take about 3 minutes of mixing.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla Magic
Crack eggs into the butter mixture one by one, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Pour in the vanilla extract and blend until everything is silky smooth.
Step 5: Bring Everything Together
Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Gently fold in the freshly grated carrots, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Slide it into the preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake rest in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 7: Craft the Creamy Glaze
Beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth and dreamy. Gradually mix in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a splash of milk. Adjust the milk until you reach the perfect glaze consistency.
Step 8: Finish with a Flourish
Once the cake has cooled, drizzle the cream cheese glaze generously over the top. Slice, serve, and watch everyone’s eyes light up with delight!
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Carrot Pound Cake Flavor Combos
FAQs
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour, but the cake will be slightly denser and have a nuttier flavor. Use a 1:1 ratio, but expect a slightly different texture.
Choose carrots that are firm, smooth, and bright orange without any soft spots or cracks. Organic carrots work best and provide the most natural sweetness for the pound cake.
Room temperature cream cheese is key. Make sure it’s soft but not melted, and beat it until completely smooth before adding powdered sugar. This prevents lumps and creates a silky glaze.
Absolutely! Chopped walnuts or pecans work great. Fold about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of toasted nuts into the batter just before baking for extra crunch and flavor.
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Carrot Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
Sinful carrot pound cake with cream cheese glaze promises pure dessert bliss, melding rich spices and moist cake layers. Sweet Southern comfort arrives with each velvety slice, inviting you to savor every delectable crumb of this irresistible treat.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients:
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 2 cups finely grated carrots
- 1 cup (2 sticks or 226 grams) butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup buttermilk
Sweeteners:
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and preparing a 9×5-inch loaf pan with grease and flour or parchment paper lining.
- Create a dry ingredient mixture by combining flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl, then set aside.
- Cream butter and both sugars in a large mixing bowl until the texture becomes light and airy, which typically takes approximately 3 minutes.
- Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, ensuring thorough blending after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
- Gradually combine dry ingredients with the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk and maintaining a smooth consistency, then gently fold in grated carrots to distribute evenly throughout the batter.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it uniformly, and bake for 60-70 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
- Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- Prepare the cream cheese glaze by beating softened cream cheese until smooth, then gradually incorporate powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk to achieve the desired drizzling consistency.
- Once the cake has cooled completely, generously drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the top, creating an elegant and delicious finish.
Notes
- Grate carrots finely to ensure even distribution and prevent large chunks in the cake, creating a smooth, consistent texture.
- Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and buttermilk to help them blend more smoothly and create a lighter, more tender crumb.
- Replace some all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrition and a slightly nutty flavor without compromising the cake’s softness.
- Adjust glaze thickness by adding milk or powdered sugar incrementally, allowing you to control the perfect drizzling consistency for a beautiful finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 70 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Marcus Hale
Founder & Recipe Storyteller
Expertise
Education
Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute
Marcus grew up surrounded by maple trees, farm stands, and the smell of Sunday stew simmering on the stove. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from the HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he knew he didn’t want to work in fancy kitchens, he wanted to cook for real people.
At Whip Up Cook Up, Marcus is the guy turning memories into meals. His recipes are fast, full of flavor, and built for home cooks who want big taste without the drama.