Edward Delling Williams Carrot Cake Recipe
Edward Delling Williams’ carrot cake recipe creates a moist, flavorful cake featuring finely grated carrots, warm spices, and a hint of walnuts or pecans. Topped with rich cream cheese frosting, this dessert is perfect for celebrations or casual gatherings, offering a delightful balance of sweetness and spice in every bite. Enjoy!
Equipment
- 9-inch round cake pans (2)
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Spatula
- Grater or food processor for carrots
- Wire rack for cooling
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups finely grated carrots
- 1 cup chopped walnuts optional
- ½ cup raisins optional
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange optional
Instructions
Preparing the Cake Batter
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate large bowl, beat the vegetable oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Add the carrots: Fold in the grated carrots, walnuts, and raisins (if using) into the wet mixture.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing as this can result in a dense cake.
Baking the Cake
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Frosting
- Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar gradually and beat until light and fluffy.
- Mix in vanilla extract and optional orange zest for a hint of citrus.
Assembling the Cake
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread an even layer of frosting on top.
- Top with the second layer and spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake.
- Decorate with extra walnuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.