Carrot cake is a classic dessert that many people love, but have you ever tried a chocolate carrot cake? This delicious twist on the traditional recipe features a rich chocolate cake combined with the sweetness of carrots, topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting that balances out the flavors perfectly. In this article, we'll share our recipe for chocolate carrot cake with cream cheese frosting that's sure to be a hit with your friends and family.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 eggs
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Add the vegetable oil and eggs to the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Gradually stir in the grated carrots, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. Mix until the batter is smooth.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool completely on a wire rack.
- While the cakes are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until the frosting is thick and creamy.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Once the cakes are cooled, spread a generous amount of frosting between the layers and on top of the cake.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tips
- If you don't have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup and filling it up to 1 cup with milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before using.
- For a more intense chocolate flavor, use dark cocoa powder instead of unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Add some chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, to the batter for some extra crunch.
Conclusion
Chocolate carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is a decadent dessert that's perfect for any occasion. This recipe is easy to follow and will yield a moist and flavorful cake that's sure to impress your guests. Whether you're a fan of carrot cake or just love chocolate, this dessert is definitely worth trying. So, give it a try and let us know what you think!
