Description
This Caramel Pecan Carrot Heaven Cake is everything you love about carrot cake—moist, flavorful, and spiced—elevated with buttery caramel drizzle and toasted pecans. The rich, tangy cream cheese frosting perfectly balances the sweetness, making this the ultimate dessert for special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
1. For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 ¼ cups brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups grated carrots
- ½ cup crushed pineapple (drained)
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
2. For the Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3. For the Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4. For Garnish:
- ½ cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped
- Extra caramel drizzle
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- Whisk together dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt) in a medium bowl.
- Mix wet ingredients (oil, sugars, eggs, vanilla) in a large bowl. Add dry ingredients gradually, stirring until combined.
- Fold in carrots, pineapple, applesauce, and pecans.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Make caramel sauce: Heat sugar and water until amber, then whisk in cream, butter, and salt. Let cool.
- Prepare frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar until fluffy. Stir in vanilla.
- Assemble the cake: Frost each layer, drizzle with caramel, and top with pecans.
Notes
- For extra moisture, brush cake layers with warm caramel sauce before frosting.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10-12
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 75mg