Makeover Moist Carrot Cake

Total Time

Prep: 35 min. Bake: 45 min. + cooling

Makes

16 servings

Updated: Sep. 30, 2022
One sweet bite of this heavenly carrot cake and you'll be on cloud nine. Not only is the cake moist and flavorful, the icing is truly to-die-for. —Geri Frahm, Gretna, Nebraska

Ingredients

  • 1-1/3 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 large egg whites
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 cups shredded carrots
  • 1 can (8 ounces) unsweetened crushed pineapple, drained
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
  • FROSTING:
  • 5 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
  • 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts, toasted

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, beat the sugars, applesauce, oil, eggs, egg whites and vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda; gradually beat into sugar mixture until blended. Stir in the carrots, pineapple, raisins and walnuts.
  2. Transfer to a 10-in. fluted tube pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack to cool completely.
  3. For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheeses and vanilla until fluffy. Beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Frost cake. Sprinkle with walnuts. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 406 calories, 15g fat (3g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 240mg sodium, 64g carbohydrate (45g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.