Description
A moist and flavorful carrot cake infused with sweet dried apricots, warmly spiced and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. Finished with a fresh herb garnish for a unique, aromatic twist.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups grated carrots (about 2-3 medium carrots)
- 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
- 1/4 cup crushed pineapple, drained
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened (for frosting)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Fresh herbs (e.g., mint or thyme) for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8-inch round or square cake pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs, oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Stir in grated carrots, chopped apricots, crushed pineapple, and nuts if using.
- Fold in dry ingredients until just combined; do not overmix.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, and beat until creamy.
- Frost the cooled cake evenly, then garnish with fresh herbs just before serving.
Notes
- Soak dried apricots in warm water for 10 minutes if they’re too firm before chopping.
- Chilling the frosted cake for 30 minutes helps set the frosting cleanly.
- Can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge.
- Garnish with herbs just before serving for freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg