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Olivia Culpo's Carrot Cake

A moist, delicious carrot cake that doesn't use any oil or butter in the cake.
Prep Time25 mins
Cook Time40 mins
Total Time1 hr 30 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12

Ingredients

Carrot Cake

    Cake: Wet Ingredients

    • 1 1/3 c. unsweetened applesauce
    • 2 c. granulated sugar
    • 2 tsp. vanilla
    • 1 c. crushed pineapple (not drained)*
    • 3 whole eggs room temperature
    • 2 c. carrots, grated
    • 1 1/4 c. coconut, shredded and sweetened
    • 1 c. chopped nuts (optional)

    Cake: Dry Ingredients

    • 2 c. all-purpose flour
    • 1 tsp. baking soda
    • 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
    • 2 tsp. salt
    • 2 tsp. cinnamon

    Cream Cheese Frosting (this is my recipe for cream cheese frosting. The one posted by Olivia Culpo is different, I will post the ingredients at the bottom of the recipe.)

    • 1 c. butter softened
    • 8 oz. cream cheese softened
    • 2 tsp. vanilla bean paste (vanilla extract will work also)
    • 4 c. powdered sugar sifted

    Instructions

    Cake

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Combine "wet ingredients" including sugar and optional nuts.
    • Separately combine all dry ingredients together.
    • Mix wet and dry ingredients together.
    • Pour into a greased 9"x13" pan or two round 9-inch pans. Bake for 25-40 minutes (I know this is a baking range, but start testing at 25 minutes using the toothpick test to make sure the cake is cooked through. Be careful not to overcook. Let cook in pans 15 minutes before removing and then let cakes cool completely before frosting.

    Frosting

    • Cream butter, cream cheese, vanilla bean paste and salt in a mixer with a paddle attachment.
    • Whip for two minutes, scraping down occasionally to make sure all ingredients are thoroughly mixed together.
    • Gradually add powdered sugar until light and fluffy.

    Notes

    *I did not add pineapple to my cake since I am allergic, but add if you can. The cake was fluffy and delicious still. 
    **The ingredients for Olivia Culpo's Cream Cheese Frosting are as follows:
    - 12 T. softened butter
    - 12 oz. cream cheese, softened
    - 2 tsp. vanilla
    - 6 c. powdered sugar
    Directions are the same as listed above.