This straightforward recipe delivers moist, dense, and delicious carrot cake with pineapple under a cream cheese frosting.

Prep : 30 mins
Cook: 40 mins
24 Servings

Ingredients:

3 cups grated carrots
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 eggs
1/2 cup applesauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1  1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
3/4 cup chopped pecans
3  1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 (8 ounce) package Neufchatel cheese
1/2 cup butter, softened
1  1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

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Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch pan.

In a large bowl, combine grated carrots, flour, white sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

Stir in eggs, applesauce, oil, 1 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, pineapple and 3/4 cup chopped pecans. Spoon batter into prepared pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

♦ To Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar, Neufchatel cheese, 1/2 cup butter or margarine and 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla. Beat until smooth, then stir in 1 cup chopped pecans. Spread on cooled cake.

Source: AllRecipes