Gigi's Carrot Cake

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2002

Show: Emeril LiveEpisode: Desserts to Die For

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (280)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(280)

Cook Time:
35 min
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
1 cake, 8 to 10 servings

Times:

Prep: 35 min
Inactive Prep: 10 min
Cook: 35 min
Total:: 1 hr 20 min

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Ingredients

3 sticks, plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 cups grated carrots
1 cup chopped toasted pecans

Pecan Cream Cheese Icing:

8 ounces cream cheese
1 stick unsalted butter
1 (1-pound) box confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup chopped toasted pecans

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter 3 (9-inch) cake pans with 1 tablespoon of the butter and set aside. In a large bowl, cream the butter with an electric mixer. Add the sugar, and beat. In a medium bowl or on a piece of parchment, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, and mix well.

Add the dry ingredients, alternating with the eggs, beating well after the addition of each. Add the vanilla extract and mix. Add the carrots and beat on medium speed until well incorporated, about 2 minutes. Fold in the nuts. Divide between the 3 cake pans and bake until set and a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest in the cake pans for 10 minutes. Invert onto wire racks, remove from the pans, and let cool.

For the Frosting: In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugar gradually, beating constantly. Add the vanilla and pecans.

When the cake is cool, place 1 cake layer on a cake plate or stand. Spread the top with cream cheese frosting and top with a second and third cake layer, spreading the icing between each layer. Spread the icing around the sides of the cake and let harden slightly before serving. To serve, cut into wedges.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Gigi's Carrot Cake
Martha Houston, TX 11-19-2009
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This recipe Rocks!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I have made it as cupcakes for about 2 years. I always make it for my boss' birthday because he likes carrot cake. ... Yesterday, I brought 96 of them to the office for our monthly office birthday party. Today, co-workers are still coming to my office to say how incredible they were. One reviewer asked how many cupcakes it makes. The original recipe makes 30 cupcakes for me. I make a few additions/changes: 1 small can crushed pineapple, drained; walnuts instead of pecans; 1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmet and 1/2 tsp. ginger. I plan to make adjustments of 2 other reviewers next time: reduce butter to 2 1/2 sticks; sugar to 1 1/2 cups. This time, I bought a package of grated carrots, but pulsed them a few seconds in my food processor to make smaller. Also, I zested an orange iinto the frosting................WOW. Thanks EmerilRead more
recipe Gigi's Carrot Cake
Stephanie tuscaloosa, AL 11-18-2009
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Yum!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I love this cake! I've made it several times with no problem - until tonight. I had no parchment paper so I used butter only.... All three layers stuck and made a huge mess. I've talked this up all week for the Thanksgiving potuck at work tommorow, looks like I'm stopping at the grocery store on the way in tomorrow. Other than that, this cake rules. Read more
recipe Gigi's Carrot Cake
Desiree miami, FL 11-18-2009
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fell apart
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

the cake fell apart when i tried to take it out of the pans. what could i have done wrong? besides that is tasted amazing!
recipe Gigi's Carrot Cake
Patty Lynnwood, WA 11-13-2009
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Amazing Carrot Cake
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is the best recipe for carrot cake I have found. I was just wondering if anyone can tell me if this would work in a... 9"x13" pan? Read more
recipe Gigi's Carrot Cake
Nadia Montreal, QC 11-03-2009
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Simply Delicious
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I'm new at baking, this recipe was easy to make and tasted wonderful! Best carrot cake I've ever had!
recipe Gigi's Carrot Cake
Michelle Slidell, LA 10-17-2009
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The Best Carrot Cake
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I tried this recipe for my boss's birthday! We served it at our faculty meeting! Wow! It was amazing! Foolproof to bake... and amazing to eat!Read more