Lecture Notes: The Ultimate Carrot Cake With Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

Introduction

• Title: The Ultimate Carrot Cake With Orange Cream Cheese Frosting
• Source: Los Angeles Times
• Published Date: April 22, 2025
• Author: Carolynn Carreo
• Overview: This carrot cake recipe is designed with all the traditional ingredients of carrot cake, such as carrots, cinnamon, and walnuts, but with enhanced flavors and an orange cream cheese frosting.

Key Features of the Recipe

• Cooking Time: 1 hour 20 minutes (including baking time)
• Yield: 1 (8-inch square or 9-inch round) cake
• Unique Element: Orange zest and juice in the cream cheese frosting, inspired by the author's mom's recipe.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• Walnut halves (plus more for decorating; optional)
• Neutral-flavored oil (such as vegetable, avocado, or grapeseed)
• Granulated sugar
• Light or dark brown sugar
• Large eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground cloves (optional)
• Ground allspice (optional)
• Fresh ginger
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Kosher salt
• Grated carrots
• Unbleached all-purpose flour

For the Frosting:

• Cream cheese (2 packages, not whipped)
• Powdered sugar (1 ½ cups, up to 3 cups)
• Orange (for zest and juice)

Instructions

Cake Preparation:

1. Preheat Oven: Grease a cake pan and preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Toast Walnuts: Spread walnuts on a baking sheet and toast for 15 minutes.
3. Mix Ingredients: Combine oil, sugars, eggs, vanilla, spices, and freshly grated ginger. Then add baking powder, baking soda, salt, carrots, and walnuts. Stir in flour.
4. Bake the Cake: Pour batter into the pan and bake 50 minutes to 1 hour until a toothpick test is clean.

Frosting Preparation:

1. Mix Ingredients: Beat cream cheese and butter until combined. Add sugar slowly, then beat until fluffy. Add orange zest and juice, mix until combined.

Assembly:

1. Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool before removing from the pan.
2. Apply Frosting: Spread frosting using an offset spatula or spoon.
3. Optional Decoration: Garnish with extra orange zest or walnuts.

Additional Tips

• Enhance Moisture: Carrot cake gains moisture over time; it can be wrapped and stored up to 2 days before frosting.
• Frosting Flavor: Orange enhances the cream cheese, providing a natural pairing with the carrot.

Conclusion

This recipe elevates the traditional carrot cake with added richness in flavor and a unique orange twist in the frosting.