This Pineapple Carrot Cake is filled with grated carrots and crushed pineapple and topped with pineapple cream cheese frosting. A moist, lightly spiced cake with a decadent sweet and tangy frosting.
6tablespoonsunsalted buttersoftened to cool room temp
3cupspowdered sugar
¾teaspoonpure vanilla extract
⅓cupcrushed pineapple (optional)drained really well
Instructions
Cake:
Place a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl and empty the contents of the 20-oz can of crushed pineapple. Stir several times and allow the pineapple to drain while you proceed with the cake.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13 baking pan.
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Set aside.
With an electric mixer (I use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment), beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla until combined. Add the dry ingredients and beat until just combined, scraping the ides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
Give the crushed pineapple a few more stirs to remove any excess liquid, then add the pineapple and grated carrots to the batter. Mix until combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes. Loosely tent with foil, then bake another 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Place on a wire rack to cool completely.
Frosting:
With an electric mixer (I use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment), beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and combined.
Beat in powdered sugar, one cup at a time, followed by vanilla. Increase the speed to high and beat for 30 seconds until fluffy and smooth. If adding crushed pineapple, drain the pineapple really well (I use the back of a spoon to press out the excess juice). Stir the pineapple into the frosting.
Spread the frosting on the cooled cake. Garnish with more crushed pineapple if desired.
Notes
Store in the refrigerator but allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.