"Birthday" Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Cointreau Carrots

Deselect All

1 1/2 cups finely minced carrots

1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained

3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts

2 1/2 cups, all-purpose flour, plus extra for pan

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

A pinch of kosher salt

1 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup molasses

4 large eggs

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar

Cream Cheese Frosting:

2 lbs cream cheese, room temperature

2 sticks of unsalted butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon lemon zest

2 cups powdered sugar

Cointreau Carrots:

1 medium carrot

1/2 stick unsalted butter

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 cup Cointreau

pinch of salt