Hearty, filling, and packed with flavor, cakes are a foolproof way to brighten one’s day and put a smile on their face. No longer reserved for holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions, cakes are an indulgent treat and comfort food for those days when you need that little pick-me-up.
While a sugary treat covered in decadent chocolate is probably the first thing that comes to mind at the mention of cake, there are ways to make a healthier version of this delicious dessert that you can indulge in sans guilt. We’re talking about carrot cake, a flavorful, moist, and healthy treat that is a cinch to make. Plus, you don’t have to use a ton of fancy equipment or ingredients, and it tastes heavenly.
Gather all the ingredients
Ideal for those eager to try something new, carrot cake is among the most unique cake flavors out there. Before you start making yours, you want to make sure that all your ingredients and tools are ready. For this one, you’ll need some all-purpose flour which will give the cake that much-needed moisture and tenderness. You could swap it for a gluten-free option as well. Another ingredient that will add to the moisture in oil – go for melted coconut oil. Baking soda and baking powder will be needed to help the cake rise, while eggs will give it structure.
To make it flavorful, you’ll add in some brown sugar, salt, and warm, nutty spices such as cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. You’ll also need some pure vanilla extract, pineapples, raisins, pecans, and of course – a lot of carrots.
Preheat the oven and prepare all the tools
With no added oils and a range of different healthy add-ons, carrot cake is one of the most health-conscious desserts out there. It makes use of healthy, wholesome ingredients, which is one of the best ways to make healthier cakes that are also tasty and flavorful. It’s also a great way to change things up a bit and surprise your guests or a loved one.
To continue preparing your cake, be sure to preheat the oven to 350°F. Gather all the tools, including mixing bowls, cake stand, a grater, and round baking pans (9-inch ones work best here). The next step will be to prepare the pans by using parchment paper to line them, greasing them, and then coating them with flour.
Mix all the ingredients
When it comes to ingredients, you want to go for premium quality. However, you shouldn’t have to pay a premium price. Sometimes, receiving the best deal will mean getting your ingredients from a supplier for wholesale frozen desserts in your local area. They can be real life-savers when you want a delicious crowd-pleaser but need to make everything from scratch. Take advantage of bulk buying and stock up on the most-used ingredients.
Once you have everything in place, you can get to mixing. Use one of the bowls to mix all the dry ingredients first (flour, salt, spices, baking powder, and baking soda). In another bowl, mix your sugar with wet ingredients (oil, eggs, and vanilla). Combine all the ingredients, and then add carrots and pineapples that you’ve previously grated.
Bake, cool, and frost
Pour the batter into the two pans you’ve prepared, and bake for half an hour. 35 minutes is the optimal amount of time, although it’s best to check using a toothpick.
After baking, the cakes should sit inside the pan for about 15 minutes. When cool, place on a wire rack, frost with cream cheese frosting and garnish with pecans. You can also try some other carrot cake variations such as cupcakes, sheet cake, or the adorable bundt cake. Along with fruit cones, watermelon water, and hummus boats, a carrot cake or cupcakes can be a great addition to a healthy kids party food menu and encourage healthy eating even when they’re celebrating.
Moist, flavor-packed goodness in less than an hour
Simple, easy, and deliciously moist, carrot cake is what dreams are made of. It’s also a healthy alternative for treating your tastebuds sans guilt, and it uses ingredients most of us already have in our pantries. Try out the recipe yourself, indulge in the creamy, moist, and flavorful goodness, and thank us later.
About The Author
Taylor Parker is an American based writer and blogger. She is very passionate about family, fashion, health and lifestyle. Taylor writes mostly lifestyle articles, but also you’ll find her in home improvement and other niches.
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