Spiced carrot cake topped with smoky caramel cream cheese frosting from Dessert for Two: Sweet & Simple by the lovely Christina Lane. Jump to recipe.
This is more than a carrot cake – it’s a celebratory carrot cake. Nothing momentous. Just a little cake to celebrate that after a couple weeks of random events that kept me from making almost anything, I was back in the kitchen trying out a new recipe. And what a welcoming recipe it is.
The cake itself is tender and a little crumbly and perfectly spiced. Grated bits of carrot, flecks of pineapple, and a hint of cinnamon coalesce into a rich crumb with a molasses-like depth. Normally, I’d say that such a perfect cake is not something to mess with, but since it’s a celebration cake, we’re going to go ahead and add a big dollop of caramel cream cheese frosting.
This recipe is from Christina Lane’s (THIRD!) cookbook, Dessert for Two: Sweet & Simple, and has become an instant favorite. On her blog, Christina exudes an enchanting mix of charm and authenticity that’s reflected in her friendly voice and refined yet approachable recipes. That same sense of ease comes through beautifully in Sweet & Simple. Christina’s approach focuses on small batch sweets and I love the way she manages to create such compelling flavors in perfectly sized increments. Consider this the ideal cookbook for novice bakers and anyone who wants just enough dessert. I also really like this book for kids since the small portion sizes are just right for their little hands, while the simple recipes ensure success.
Spiced carrot cake topped with smoky caramel cream cheese frosting from Dessert for Two: Sweet & Simple by Christina Lane.
- 1/2 cup neutral oil, such as canola or grapeseed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup canned crushed pineapple
- 1 cup freshly grated carrot
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 3/4 cup caramel bits or homemade caramel (see notes)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper on all sides by laying one piece of paper one way and then another piece of the opposite way.
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In a large bowl, stir oil and sugar together with a wooden spoon (do not use a mixer). Add eggs, vanilla, pineapple, and carrots.
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In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and sea alt.
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Sprinkle the dry ingredients over the wet and stir until combined.
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Pour batter into prepared baking pan and bake 33 - 36 minutes until the cake is a nice golden brown, starting to pull away from the edges of the pan, and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with just a few crumbs attached.
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Cool cake in pan for 20 minutes, use parchment to carefully lift cake out, and then cool completely on a wire rack.
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As cake cools, make frosting. First, melt the caramel bits in the microwave with a splash of water, or make homemade caramel and set aside to cool slightly.
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With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in caramel, vanilla, and sea salt.
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Frosting cake with caramel cream cheese frosting and serve.
*See homemade caramel recipe here.
Disclosure: Countryman Press provided me with an advance copy of Sweet & Simple.
Ooh that caramel cream cheese frosting looks divine – I just want to swipe my finger through it! And I have found through many carrot cake versions that canned crushed pineapple seems to be the key to a super moist cake, so I can imagine how good this one would be <3
All carrot cake is celebratory to me… it is one of my favorite desserts. So much that I really only eat it once every couple of years because it’s the kind of thing where I’ll sit down with a fork and devour the whole thing.
I adore this recipe… that frosting calls to me. Only modification I’d make is that I’d sprinkle some shredded coconut on top, because in my opinion carrot cake always has to have coconut. But I know some people disagree with this sentiment.
Such a yummy frosting! Carrot cake is forever my favourite!
You are so sweet, Elizabeth! Thank you so much for baking with me and sharing my book 🙂 Love you!
Must try this! Looks so good
interesting marriage of cake and frosting in this recipe and frosting with a caramel twist, wow! thank you for this about time to tweak my standard carrot cake recipe and just in time for upcoming event
I made this yesterday, using GF all-purpose flour. My husband LOVED it and so do I!
Such a lovely recipe, and that frosting looks mmmm, so good!