Carrot cake parfaits are a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that is perfect for any occasion. These parfaits are made with layers of moist carrot cake, cream cheese frosting, and fresh carrots. The carrot cake is made with a combination of all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, oil, buttermilk, and grated carrots. The cream cheese frosting is made with cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. The parfaits are assembled by layering carrot cake, cream cheese frosting, and grated carrots in parfait glasses. Additional toppings can also be added, such as chopped nuts, raisins, or shredded coconut. This article provides two variations of carrot cake parfaits: a classic version and a gluten-free version.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
CARROT-CAKE PARFAITS
All the elements you love are in this lighter, more elegant take on carrot cake. There's the sweet, moist cake and the luscious cream cheese frosting but bonus, there's also a layer of apricot jam. Another plus, it's easier to assemble than a layer cake.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes
Time 2h
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 12 1/2-by-17 1/2-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Line with parchment; spray parchment. Whisk together carrots, eggs, sugars, oil, and fresh ginger. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ground ginger. Fold flour mixture into carrot mixture.
- Spread batter in pan. Bake until golden and a toothpick comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack 20 minutes. Invert onto rack; let cool completely. Cut out 16 cake rounds to fit in an 8-to-10-ounce glass, piecing together scraps as necessary.
- Spoon 2 tablespoons jam into each glass; layer with 1/4 cup filling, then 2 cake rounds, pressing to compact. Top each with 2 tablespoons filling and serve.
CARROT CAKE
Beneath this towering yet unpretentious appearance lies multiple layers of moist, mildly spiced cake that are flecked with carrots and pecans and enveloped by a generous coating of cream cheese frosting.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cake Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter three 9-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms with parchment paper, and butter parchment. Dust with flour, tapping out excess. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, ginger, and nutmeg.
- Beat butter and sugars with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat 3 minutes. Add vanilla, water, and carrots. Beat until well combined, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low, and add flour mixture, then finely chopped pecans.
- Scrape batter into prepared pans, dividing evenly. Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let cool in pans on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Run a knife around edges of cakes to loosen, and turn out cakes onto rack. Turn right side up, and let cool completely.
- Using a serrated knife, trim rounded top of 2 cakes. Place one trimmed cake, cut side up, on a serving platter. Spread 1 cup frosting over cake. Top with second trimmed cake, cut side down. Spread 1 cup frosting over cake. Top with remaining cake. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides. Gently press coarsely chopped pecans onto sides of cake. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.
Tips:
- Use fresh carrots. Fresh carrots have a sweeter, more intense flavor than older carrots. They also have a higher nutritional value.
- Shred the carrots finely. This will help them to cook evenly and will also make them easier to digest.
- Don't overcook the carrots. Overcooked carrots will lose their sweetness and become mushy. They should be cooked until they are just tender.
- Use a good quality cream cheese. The cream cheese is the key ingredient in the filling, so it's important to use a good quality brand.
- Let the parfaits chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the parfaits to set.
Conclusion:
Carrot cake parfaits are a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that is perfect for any occasion. They are made with a simple carrot cake filling, cream cheese frosting, and crushed graham crackers. The parfaits are light, fluffy, and full of flavor. They are also a great way to use up leftover carrot cake. If you are looking for a fun and festive dessert, carrot cake parfaits are the perfect choice.
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