To-Die-For Nutless Carrot Cake Recipe 🥕🎂

Overview:

This scrumptious To-Die-For Nutless Carrot Cake is a delightful twist on the classic dessert, boasting a rich blend of flavors without the addition of nuts. Adapted from a recipe discovered in Chatelaine magazine, this cake is surprisingly simple to make and promises to be a hit at any gathering or celebration. With a moist and tender crumb, complemented by a luscious cream cheese icing, it’s sure to become a family favorite!

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 630.4 per serving
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (Based on 1 review)

Ingredients:

1 cup golden raisins
3 tbsp Grand Marnier
7 carrots
4 eggs
2 tsp orange zest
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup canola oil
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp allspice
16 oz cream cheese (softened)
1 cup icing sugar
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 tbsp Grand Marnier
3 tbsp Cointreau liqueur
1/3 cup unsweetened dried shredded coconut

Instructions:

Prepare Raisins: Place golden raisins in a microwave-safe bowl and drizzle with 3 tablespoons of Grand Marnier. Cover and microwave on Medium power for 1-2 minutes until warm. Set aside.
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Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly butter or spray three 9-inch round cake pans or three disposable 8 1/2-inch or 9-inch foil pans. Line the bottom of each pan with parchment or wax paper, then set them aside.
Grate Carrots: Scrape and grate carrots, ensuring they are shredded, not ground. You should have approximately 3 1/2 cups of grated carrots. Do not exceed this amount.
Prepare Batter: In a mixing bowl, beat together eggs, orange zest, brown sugar, canola oil, and vanilla extract until smooth. In another bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and allspice. Make a well in the center of the dry mixture and pour in the egg mixture. Stir just until moist. Carefully fold in grated carrots and soaked raisins.
Bake Cakes: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans, smoothing the tops. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a tester comes out clean when inserted into the center of the cakes. Once baked, remove from the oven and cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare Icing: In a large mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese until creamy. Gradually beat in icing sugar, vanilla extract, Grand Marnier, and Cointreau liqueur until well combined.
Assemble Cake: Place one cake layer on a plate and spread one-third of the icing over the top, extending to the edges. Repeat with the remaining layers. Optionally, sprinkle toasted coconut over the top layer of icing.
Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the assembled cake for at least one hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Any leftover cake should be stored in the refrigerator, well covered.

Serving Suggestions:

This decadent Nutless Carrot Cake is perfect for a variety of occasions, including potlucks, Christmas celebrations, Thanksgiving gatherings, or even as a delightful brunch treat. Pair each slice with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a truly indulgent experience.

Tips:

Be sure not to overgrate the carrots, as this can affect the texture of the cake.
For a boozy twist, you can soak the raisins in additional liqueur or replace it with your favorite spirit.
To make ahead, bake the cakes in advance and store them tightly wrapped in the refrigerator overnight before assembling and icing the next day.
Feel free to customize the icing by adjusting the amount of liqueur or adding extra flavorings such as citrus zest or spices.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

Calories: 630.4
Fat: 33.5g
- Saturated Fat: 10.2g
Cholesterol: 112.1mg
Sodium: 569.3mg
Carbohydrates: 77.5g
- Fiber: 2.3g
- Sugar: 55.2g
Protein: 7.9g

Indulge in the heavenly flavors of this Nutless Carrot Cake and watch it disappear within minutes! With its moist texture and irresistible cream cheese icing, it’s guaranteed to become a staple dessert in your recipe collection. Enjoy every delectable bite of this timeless classic! 🥕🍰