Why You’ll Love This Haitian Carrot Cake
- Infused with a blend of warm spices reminiscent of the Haitian cuisine.
- Moist and dense cake with the natural sweetness of carrots.
- Exotic cream cheese frosting with a hint of tropical flavors.
Ingredients
Carrot Cake
- Carrots – 3 cups, finely grated
- All-purpose Flour – 2 cups
- Baking Powder – 2 tsp
- Baking Soda – 1 tsp
- Salt – 1/2 tsp
- Ground Cinnamon – 2 tsp
- Ground Nutmeg – 1/2 tsp
- Eggs – 4 large, at room temperature
- Granulated Sugar – 1 1/2 cups
- Vegetable Oil – 1 cup
- Vanilla Extract – 1 tsp
- Crushed Pineapple – 1/2 cup, drained
- Coconut Flakes – 1/2 cup
- 1 tsp of lime zest
Tropical Cream Cheese Frosting
- Cream Cheese – 8 oz, softened
- Butter – 1/2 cup, softened
- Confectioners’ Sugar – 4 cups, sifted
- Vanilla Extract – 1 tsp
- Lime Zest – 1 tbsp
- Grated Coconut – for garnish
How to Make
- Prepare the Cake Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and gradually add sugar, oil, and vanilla until well combined. Stir in the carrots, crushed pineapple, and coconut flakes. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into two greased and floured 9-inch cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool the cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract and lime zest.
- Assemble: Once the cakes are cool, spread a layer of frosting on top of one cake layer. Place the second cake on top, and spread frosting over the top and sides. Sprinkle with grated coconut for a tropical flair.
- Serve and Enjoy: Allow the cake to set for a few minutes, then cut into generous slices and serve. Experience a piece of Haiti with each bite!
How to Store
Wrap any leftovers with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze slices on a baking sheet, then wrap individually and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Delicious Haitian Carrot Cake with Tropical Cream Cheese Frosting
Try this Haitian carrot cake for a sweet, spiced treat with a creamy tropical frosting. It’s easy to make and brings a bit of Haiti’s sunny flavors to your table!
Ingredients
- Carrot Cake
- 3 cups finely grated carrots
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup drained crushed pineapple
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes
- Tropical Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp lime zest
- Grated coconut, for garnish
Instructions
- Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl.
- Beat eggs, sugar, oil, and vanilla in a separate bowl. Stir in carrots, pineapple, and coconut flakes. Blend in dry ingredients.
- Pour into two 9-inch greased/floured cake pans. Bake 25-30 min. Cool on racks.
- For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter. Add sugar, then vanilla and lime zest.
- Frost one cake layer, top with second layer, and frost completely. Garnish with coconut.
- Serve slices at room temperature.
- Storage
- Refrigerate wrapped for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
u003cliu003eFor a truly Haitian flair, consider adding a pinch of ground cloves to your cake batter, and swapping out half of the sugar for cane syrup in the frosting. These small changes will enhance the cake with traditional island spices and sweetness. Remember, the key to a perfect cake is to mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined—overmixing can make it dense.u003c/liu003e
Other Haitian Recipes you might like to try:>>
- Haitian Pâté Kodé – Haitian Patties
- Haitian Tasso: Spicy Fried Beef Bites Recipe
- Haitian Tasso and Griot: The Ultimate Taste Showdown
- Haitian Akra with cod recipe
- Scrumptious Haitian Orange Cake Recipe
- Traditional Haitian Cake (Gateau au Beurre)
- Haitian Rum Cake Recipe
I hope you’re as excited as I am about baking this Haitian carrot cake! It’s a little taste of Haiti that you can enjoy right from your kitchen. Bon appétit!
Author Profile
I was born and grew up in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where my grandmas, mom, and aunts taught me everything about cooking. Now, I live in the US, and I love hiking, reading, and making meals for my family.
Mika bon bagay!
Mika bon bagay! Mèsi!