Want to bake something really special? This almond and carrot cake is bursting with flavor and it’ll become your go-to cake when you try it.
The cake is layered with flavors, warm spices and a touch of lemon zest. It’s a perfect treat, so let’s go ahead and make it.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups (½ pound) unsalted toasted almonds
- ¼ cup raw brown (turbinado) sugar
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ⅛t teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
- 4 large eggs
- ⅓ cup organic white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups finely grated carrots (about 10 ounces)
Instructions
1. Get the Oven Ready: Preheat your oven to 350°F and position a rack in the center.
Lightly grease a 9-inch springform pan, line it with parchment paper, and brush a bit more oil over the parchment for easy release.
2. Make the Almond Mixture: In a food processor, combine almonds and turbinado sugar, processing until the almonds are finely ground.
Add in the baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon zest, then pulse a few times to mix everything together.
3. Whisk the Eggs and Fold Everything In: In a stand mixer with a whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), beat the eggs until thick and airy.
Add the organic sugar and continue beating until the mixture is thick and leaves a ribbon when you lift the whisk. Mix in the vanilla.
Then, in three batches, gently fold in the almond mixture and grated carrots, mixing just until combined.
4. Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing it out evenly.
Bake for about an hour, until the cake feels firm and starts pulling away from the sides. A toothpick poked into the center should come out clean.
5. Cool and Wrap Up: Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge, then carefully remove the sides of the springform pan.
Let the cake cool fully before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap to keep it fresh. Add some powdered sugar or chopped almonds on top if you want.
Now that it’s finished, you can finally enjoy your delicious Carrot cake. Cut into it and enjoy the amazing blend of almond, carrots and warm spices.