Best 5 My Favorite Cooking Light Carrot Cake Recipes

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**Carrot cake** is a moist and flavorful cake that is perfect for any occasion. It is made with grated carrots, which give it a unique texture and sweetness. This recipe uses **Cooking Light** ingredients to create a healthier version of this classic dessert. The cake is made with whole-wheat flour, applesauce, and reduced-fat cream cheese. It is also topped with a light and fluffy cream cheese frosting.

In addition to the **main carrot cake recipe**, this article also includes recipes for **carrot cake cupcakes**, **carrot cake muffins**, and **carrot cake pancakes**. All of these recipes are made with **Cooking Light** ingredients and are a delicious and healthy way to enjoy this classic dessert.

Whether you are looking for a classic carrot cake recipe or a healthier version, this article has you covered. All of the recipes are easy to follow and can be made with ingredients that you can find at your local grocery store. So what are you waiting for? Start baking today!

Let's cook with our recipes!

INCREDIBLY MOIST AND EASY CARROT CAKE



Incredibly Moist and Easy Carrot Cake image

This is the best carrot cake recipe I've ever used. We prefer to use a hand grater when preparing the carrots since it creates delicate carrot shreds that melt into the cake batter. Pre-shredded bags or shredding carrots using a food processor are also options, but the carrot shreds will be larger. This recipe is forgiving. You can make this with or without the nuts or raisins. We love the combination of granulated and brown sugar, but if you only have one of them, use it, and the cake will still be delicious. Frosting: Our creamy frosting recipe shared below is not a traditional cream cheese frosting. Thanks to whipped cream, it's creamier and has soft peaks (you can see it in our video). We love it, but if you prefer a more traditional frosting, see the tips section below the recipe. We have provided instructions for a classic cream cheese frosting that works nicely with this cake.

Provided by Adam and Joanne Gallagher

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h5m

Yield Makes 1 (9-inch) double layer cake (16 thin slices) or 22 to 24 cupcakes

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 ¼ cups (295 ml) canola or other vegetable oil
1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
1 cup (190 grams) lightly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 large eggs, at room temperature
3 cups (300 grams) grated peeled carrots, 5 to 6 medium carrots
1 cup (100 grams) coarsely chopped pecans
1/2 cup (65 grams) raisins
8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 ¼ cups (140 grams) powdered sugar
1/3 cup (80 ml) heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup (50 grams) coarsely chopped pecans, for topping cake

Steps:

  • Position a rack in the middle of the oven. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans, line the bottom with parchment paper and then grease the top. Or grease and flour the bottom and sides of both pans.
  • Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176C).
  • Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until very well blended.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk the oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla.
  • Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking after each one.
  • Switch to a large rubber spatula. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, then add the dry ingredients in three parts, gently stirring until they disappear and the batter is smooth.
  • Stir in the carrots, nuts, and raisins.
  • Divide the cake batter between the prepared cake pans.
  • Bake until the tops of the cake layers are springy when touched and when a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes.
  • Cool cakes in the pans for 15 minutes, then carefully turn the cake layers out onto cooling racks. Remove the parchment paper and cool completely. If you find that a cake layer is sticking to the bottom of the pan, leave the cake pan upside down and allow gravity to do its thing.
  • In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with a handheld mixer on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute.
  • Beat in the powdered sugar, a 1/4 cup at a time, until fluffy.
  • Pour in the whipping cream. Beat on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the frosting is whipped and creamy. This frosting resembles the texture of whipped cream. Chill covered until ready to frost the cake.
  • When the cake layers are completely cool, frost the top of one cake layer, and place the second cake layer on top.
  • Add the remaining frosting to the top of the carrot cake and use a butter knife or small spatula to swirl the frosting around. Leave the sides of the cake unfrosted. Finish with a handful of nuts on top.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 slice (1 of 16), Calories 535, Fat 33.4g, SaturatedFat 6.9g, Cholesterol 69.3mg, Sodium 315.9mg, Carbohydrate 56.4g, Fiber 2.4g, Sugar 40.5g, Protein 5.6g

LIGHT CARROT CAKE



Light Carrot Cake image

Provided by Patrick and Gina Neely : Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 1h30m

Yield 8 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

Nonstick cooking spray
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Fine salt
2 large eggs
1 egg white
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup canned crushed pineapple in fruit juice
1/2 cup vegetable oil
5 medium carrots, peeled and grated (about 3 cups)
Light Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows
8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13-by-9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick spray. Line the bottom with parchment paper.
  • Whisk together the all-purpose flour, pastry flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, allspice, ginger and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add the eggs, egg white, brown sugar and granulated sugar and beat until light and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the pineapple and vegetable oil and mix until thoroughly incorporated into the batter, about another minute.
  • Add the dry ingredients in thirds and mix until combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the carrots and mix until just combined.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 35 minutes. Let the cake cool completely before flipping out of the pan and removing the parchment paper. Top with the cream cheese frosting.
  • Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar and lemon zest together until light and fluffy. Frost the carrot cake.

MY FAVORITE COOKING LIGHT CARROT CAKE



My Favorite Cooking Light Carrot Cake image

I found this recipe on myrecipe.com and saw that it had the most and the highest rated reviews. I was glad I gave it a shot, the cake was the best carrot cake I've made. It was flavorful and moist. I threw raisins into the mix as well and used my Favorite Cream Cheese frosting recipe. Which I will put on a separate post.

Provided by valgal123

Categories     Dessert

Time 50m

Yield 16 slices, 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (about 6 3/4 ounces)
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1/3 cup chopped pecans
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 large eggs
2 cups grated carrots
1 1/2 cups canned crushed pineapple, drained

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • To prepare cake, lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, sugar, coconut, pecans, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl; stir well with a whisk. Combine oil and eggs; stir well. Stir egg mixture, grated carrot, and pineapple into flour mixture. Spoon batter into a 13 x 9-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  • To prepare frosting, combine butter and cream cheese in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla just until smooth. Spread frosting over top of cake. Garnish each serving with grated carrot, if desired.

EXCELLENT CARROT CAKE



Excellent Carrot Cake image

Chock full of flavor, this is the best carrot cake! It tastes even better the next day after the flavors meld. A tad more time consuming than the average carrot cake, but well worth it!

Provided by MizzNezz

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h20m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 23

2 cups sugar
3/4 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 cups grated carrots
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 1/4 cups coconut
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup butter
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup solid margarine, softened
1 (16 ounce) package powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla

Steps:

  • Combine first 5 ingredients; beat well.
  • Mix flour, soda, salt and cinnamon; add to creamed mixture; stir well.
  • Add carrots, walnuts, pineapple and coconut; stir well.
  • Pour batter into greased and floured 13x9 baking pan.
  • Bake at 350° for 55 minutes, or until pick comes out clean.
  • Buttermilk Glaze: Combine first 5 ingredients in large saucepan.
  • Bring to a boil; cook 4 minutes on medium heat.
  • Remove from heat; add vanilla.
  • Pour buttermilk glaze over warm cake; let cake cool.
  • Cream Cheese Frosting: Mix cream cheese and butter; beat until smooth.
  • Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy.
  • Stir in vanilla.
  • Spread cream cheese frosting on top of cooled cake.

LIGHT CARROT CAKE



Light Carrot Cake image

Allspice and cinnamon give wonderful flavor to this appealing cake from Ruth Hastings of Louisville, Illinois. "It's so moist and delicious that it doesn't taste like it's good for you," she says.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 45m

Yield 9 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup orange juice concentrate
3 egg whites
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup grated carrots
2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients; beat for 30 seconds. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, baking soda and salt; add to the orange juice mixture and mix well. Stir in carrots. , Pour into an 8-in. square baking pan that has been coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool; dust with confectioners' sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 183 calories, Fat 8g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 139mg sodium, Carbohydrate 25g carbohydrate (13g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
  • Grate the carrots finely for a smooth texture.
  • Don't overmix the batter, or the cake will be tough.
  • Bake the cake in a greased and floured bundt pan for a beautiful presentation.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting it.
  • Make the frosting ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it.
  • Decorate the cake with chopped walnuts, pecans, or sprinkles for a festive touch.

Conclusion:

This Cooking Light Carrot Cake is a delicious and healthy dessert that's perfect for any occasion. It's moist, flavorful, and packed with carrots, pineapple, and walnuts. The cream cheese frosting is the perfect finishing touch. With its light and fluffy texture, this cake is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. Whether you're looking for a special dessert for a party or a simple treat to enjoy at home, this carrot cake is the perfect choice.

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