Jamaican Carrot Cake Recipe is one of those desserts that everyone loves. It’s made with just a few ingredients and, most importantly, is delicious!
Made from pureed carrots and sweetened with honey, this dessert has a dense, crumbly texture that perfectly balances the sweetness.
This dish’s key is to use pure make cream cheese frosting mixed with fresh carrot juice. This will ensure an even distribution of moisture throughout the cake, so it doesn’t dry out in certain spots.
How to make
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup pecans (finely chopped)
- 1/4 cup coconut (chopped)
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp. macadamia nut oil or vegetable oil (melted)
- 2 cups grated carrots
Preparation:
1. preheat the oven to 350F degrees.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon; set aside.
3. Mix the pecans and coconut; set aside.
4. In another mixing bowl, using an electric mixer on high speed, cream the brown sugar and oil for about 1 minute until light and fluffy.
5. Add in the grated carrots and continue mixing.
6. Add the flour mixture until combined; make sure not to over mix.
7. Gently fold in the nuts and coconut, pour into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, and spread evenly.
8. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with some moist crumbs attached (not raw batter).
9. Cool on a wire rack before frosting.
10. To make the frosting, combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and whip with an electric mixer on high speed until light and fluffy.
11. Pour over the cooled cake, spreading evenly to cover the entire surface of the cake. Refrigerate for 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition facts of Jamaican Carrot Cake Recipe
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 239 |
| Fat | 8.4 grams |
| Saturated fat | 1.3 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 45 grams |
| Sugar | 12.5 grams |
| Protein | 3.5 grams |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Fiber | 2 grams |
| Sodium | 61 mg |
Benefits of Jamaican Carrot Cake Recipe
Carrots are a good source of vitamin A, which is needed for vision, a healthy immune system, and cell growth. Macadamia nuts are best known for their high content of monounsaturated fats.
Studies have shown that these fats lower overall blood cholesterol levels while also helping to lower your LDL levels while increasing HDL.
The coconut and brown sugar provide fiber, which helps lower LDL levels, helps maintain bowel regularity in your system, and promotes a healthy immune system.
Can I Freeze It?
Yes, this cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze time, spread the batter on a baking sheet, place in the freezer for about 30 minutes and then wrap tightly with aluminum foil and place in a freezer bag.
When ready to use, let thaw overnight before proceeding with the recipe. For maximum freshness, bake at 350F degrees and use within 3 days of preparation (once the frosting has been applied).
Is It Gluten-Free?
This cake is gluten-free and can be served to people with celiac disease.
Is It Vegan?
This cake is vegan in this version. However, check the recipe on the package of cream cheese icing to make sure your frosting is vegan.
Is It Good For Pregnant Women?
This is a healthy dessert for pregnant women because it doesn’t contain any wheat, dairy, egg, or nuts. However, if you are extremely sensitive to nuts or dairy, it’s best to avoid this recipe.
How Can I Reduce Sugar?
Swap the brown sugar for a natural sweetener like pure maple syrup, honey, or agave. The baking powder will make the cake rise higher in the oven and be much lighter in texture without the excess sugar.
Is It Suitable For Heart Patients?
This recipe is heart-healthy because it contains no saturated fat and is low in sodium. The monounsaturated fats will help lower LDL (bad cholesterol) while increasing HDL (good cholesterol).
How Can I Make It Healthier, More Protein-rich?
This cake is naturally protein-rich because the yogurt cheese helps to give it a moist and fluffy texture. However, you can make a substitution by using vegan cream cheese (without dairy ingredients)
to further reduce saturated fat content and increase the monounsaturated fat content. This is also a very good substitution if you are lactose intolerant.
Conclusion
Whether you are watching your weight, adding a healthier dessert to your meal plan, or enjoying eating healthy desserts, then Jamaican Carrot Cake Recipe is for you.
If you want to know more interesting facts about this recipe and how the nutrition value of this dessert is added up and compared with the regular version,
please feel free to click on the “Read More” button under this recipe. I would also be happy to hear any comments and suggestions.