BA’s Best Carrot Cake

1

cup granulated sugar

¾

cup (packed) dark brown sugar

2

teaspoons vanilla extract

¾

cup vegetable oil

FROSTING AND ASSEMBLY

12

ounces cream cheese, room temperature

¾

cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

1

teaspoon vanilla extract

Generous pinch of kosher salt

4

cups powdered sugar

Candied Carrot Coins (optional)

Preparation

CAKE

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly coat two 9"-diameter cake pans with nonstick spray. Line bottoms with parchment paper rounds; lightly coat rounds with nonstick spray. If using raisins and rum, heat together in a small saucepan over low just until warm, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit until liquid is absorbed and raisins are plump, 15–20 minutes.

Step 2

Meanwhile, toast walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown, 8–10 minutes; let cool. Combine carrots and buttermilk in a medium bowl.

Step 3

Whisk flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until pale and thick, about 4 minutes. Reduce speed to medium-low and gradually stream in oil. Add dry ingredients in 3 additions, alternating with carrot mixture in 2 additions, beginning and ending with dry ingredients; mix until smooth. Fold in raisins, if using, and walnuts with a rubber spatula. Scrape batter into prepared pans.

Step 4

Bake cakes, rotating pans halfway through, until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 35–45 minutes. Transfer pans to a wire rack and let cakes cool 10 minutes. Run a knife around sides of cakes and invert onto wire rack; remove parchment. Let cool completely.

FROSTING AND ASSEMBLY

Step 5

Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl until smooth, about 1 minute. Beat in vanilla extract and salt. Reduce speed to low and gradually mix in powdered sugar. Increase speed to high and beat frosting until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Step 6

Place 1 cake, domed side down, on a platter. Spread ¾ cup frosting evenly over top. Place remaining cake, domed side down, on top. Spread top and sides with 1¼ cups frosting and chill 30 minutes to let frosting set. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides, swirling decoratively. Top with Candied Carrot Coins, if desired.

Nutrition Per Serving

Calories (kcal) 810 Fat (g) 44 Saturated Fat (g) 16 Cholesterol (mg) 125 Carbohydrates (g) 100 Dietary Fiber (g) 3 Total Sugars (g) 75 Protein (g) 9 Sodium (mg) 600