Alton Brown Carrot Cake

Carrot Cake by Alton Brown is a delightful treat featuring carrots, a harmony of all spices, cinnamon, and nutmeg, baked for 1 hour and 10 minutes, and topped with a cream cheese frosting.

Try More Alton Brown Recipes:

• Alton Brown Broccoli Salad
• Alton Brown Glazed Carrots
• Alton Brown Twice Baked Potatoes

Why You’ll Love This Carrot Cake Recipe:

• Moist & Flavorful: Perfectly balanced with grated carrots and spices.
• Easy Prep: Simple instructions and common ingredients.
• Creamy Frosting: Rich cream cheese frosting for a luscious finish.
• Crowd-pleaser: Guaranteed delight for any occasion.

What Is Alton Brown’s Carrot Cake Recipe?

The Carrot Cake from Alton Brown is a spicy, moist dessert made with nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, and grated carrots topped with a delightful cream cheese frosting.

Alton Brown Carrot Cake Ingredients

Carrot Cake:

• butter, for the pan
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for pan
• 3 1/4 cups (6 medium) grated carrots, not peeled
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1/3 cups plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 3/4 cup plain yogurt
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 (8-ounce) block of cream cheese, at room temperature
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted

How To Make Alton Brown Carrot Cake

Carrot Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease and dust a 9-by-3-inch circular cake pan. Cover the bottom with parchment paper. Put aside.
2. In a big mixing bowl, place the carrots and set them aside.
3. Add the salt, spices, baking soda, flour, and baking powder to a food processor bowl and pulse for 5 seconds. Toss the carrots in this mixture until they are evenly coated with flour.
4. Put the yogurt, eggs, brown sugar, and sugar into the food processor’s bowl. Add the vegetable oil while the process is still running. Stir the carrot mixture with this mixture until just mixed.
5. Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan and bake for 45 minutes on the middle rack of the oven.
6. Reduce the heat to 325oF and continue to bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, or until the center temperature of the cake reaches 205 to 210ºF.
7. Let the cake cool for 15 minutes in the pan after taking it out of the oven. Place the cake on a wire rack to cool completely after 15 minutes. Once cooled, frost it.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the butter and cream cheese on medium speed until just combined.
2. Whisk in the vanilla extract until well blended. Add the powdered sugar in 4 separate batches, beating well after each addition, while the mixer is running on low speed.
3. Put the frosting in the fridge for at least 5 to 10 minutes before using it.

Recipe Tips

• Grate Fresh Carrots: Use freshly grated carrots for optimal moisture and flavor in the cake.
• Precise Measurements: Follow Alton Brown’s measurements diligently for a perfectly balanced and delicious carrot cake.
• Sift Confectioners’ Sugar: Sift the sugar for the cream cheese frosting to ensure a smooth and lump-free texture.
• Yogurt for Moisture: The addition of yogurt adds moisture to the cake, keeping it tender and delightful.
• Check Center Temperature: To ensure doneness, use a thermometer to check that the center temperature reaches 205 to 210ºF before cooling.

What Pairs Nicely With Carrot Cake?

Carrot Cake is the perfect accompaniment to a variety of sweets including ice cream, coffee pudding, pineapple curd, berry compote, ambrosia salad, ginger hot chocolate, and caramelized peaches.

How To Store Leftovers Carrot Cake?

• At Room Temperature: Leftover carrot cake can be kept for up to 2 days on the counter if placed in a cake keeper.
• In The Fridge: Preserve leftover carrot cake in the fridge for up to a week in a tightly sealed container.
• In The Freezer: Leftover carrot cake can be frozen for 3 to 4 months after being individually wrapped in plastic and put in a freezer-safe bag. Let it thaw in the fridge before eating.

How To Reheat Leftovers Carrot Cake?

• Oven: Bring the oven up to a temperature of around 250°F then assemble carrot cake slices on a baking sheet and heat for about 8 to 15 minutes or until warm.
• Microwave: Arrange carrot cake slices in a microwave-safe dish and heat in short bursts of 15 to 30 seconds at medium power, until warmed.

FAQs

Try More Alton Brown Recipes:

• Alton Brown Macaroni Salad
• Alton Brown Gnocchi
• Alton Brown Icebox Cake

Alton Brown Carrot Cake Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving

• Calories 577
• Total Fat 30g
• Saturated Fat 10g
• Trans Fat 0.7g
• Cholesterol 87mg
• Sodium 415mg
• Potassium 205.3mg
• Total Carbohydrates 73g
• Dietary Fiber 1.6g
• Sugars 51g
• Protein 6.6g