Description
Hawaiian carrot pineapple cake blends tropical flavors with classic comfort. Cream cheese frosting crowns this moist, nutty dessert that brings island warmth to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (200 g) grated carrots
- 1 cup (240 g) crushed pineapple, drained
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- ½ cup (120 ml) applesauce
- 1 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 pack (225 g / 8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- ½ cup (50 g) shredded sweetened coconut
- ½ cup (60 g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 1 ½ tsps baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 12 tbsps milk (optional, for consistency)
Instructions
- Preparation Setup: Preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch rectangular pan or two 8-inch round cake pans, creating a pristine baking environment.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl until perfectly blended, ensuring a uniform dry mixture.
- Wet Ingredient Harmony: In a large mixing bowl, combine vegetable oil, applesauce, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Blend until a smooth, cohesive mixture forms, creating a rich base for the cake.
- Egg and Flavor Integration: Gradually add eggs to the sugar mixture, incorporating thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract, developing a complex flavor profile.
- Batter Composition: Merge the dry ingredient blend into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Delicately fold in grated carrots, crushed pineapple, shredded coconut, and optional nuts, distributing ingredients evenly to guarantee a balanced taste in every bite.
- Baking Process: Pour the complete batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface for consistent baking. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean and the cake displays a golden-brown exterior.
Notes
- Moisture Mastery: Squeeze excess liquid from crushed pineapple to prevent a soggy cake, ensuring a perfectly textured dessert.
- Grate with Care: Use fresh carrots and grate them finely for maximum moisture and smooth cake consistency.
- Temperature Technique: Allow ingredients like eggs and applesauce to reach room temperature for smoother batter integration and even baking.
- Gentle Mixing Magic: Fold ingredients carefully to maintain air pockets, creating a lighter, more tender cake texture without developing tough gluten strands.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg