Pineapple Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

The week is here: happy spring!

While the calendar shows spring this week, the snow piles on our lawn beg to differ. Mother nature is a tad confused, but one thing’s certain: Easter is less than a month away. And with longer days and fresh tulips blooming on the horizon, we HAVE to have carrot cake on the mind.

And, really, any and all spring baking.

I’m in freak out mode over this pineapple carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Which isn’t much different from any other time I eat carrot cake, but this time it’s a little excessive because this is 100% + honestly + literally the best carrot cake I’ve ever tasted. It’s similar to this spiced carrot cake (which I may have to rename “my 2nd favorite carrot cake”), but there’s a massively flavorful addition today: crushed pineapple. It brightens up the entire cake.

Do you usually add pineapple to carrot cake? I feel like this is a norm for a lot of bakers. And while I’ve tried it before, I usually default to applesauce, raisins, or coconut as a flavorful add-in. But this year I decided to be like the cool kids and I beg you to give pineapple a whirl too. Grab a can of crushed pineapple OR crush your own OR a can of chopped pineapple and pulse until crushed. You won’t regret it.

This pineapple carrot is absolutely a cut (slice?) above the rest.

Ingredients:

• 2 and 1/2 cups (312g) all-purpose flour, spoon & leveled
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon EACH ground cloves, ground ginger, + ground nutmeg
• 1 cup canola (240ml) or vegetable oil1
• 1 and 1/4 cup (250g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1/3 cup (67g) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 large carrots, grated (about 2 cups)2
• 1 cup (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained3
• 1 cup (125g) Diamond of California chopped walnuts
• Cream Cheese Frosting
• 8 ounces (224g) full-fat block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 3 cups (360g) confectioners' sugar, plus an extra 1/4 cup if needed
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9x13 inch pan. I always use this glass pan.
2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and other spices together in a large bowl. Set aside.
3. Whisk the oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract together in a medium bowl. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until combined. Fold in the grated carrots, pineapple, and walnuts.
4. .................................

for full recipes please see : sallysbakingaddiction.com

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