Carrot Cake with a (Cayenne) Kick | Recipe Drop | Food52

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AUTHOR NOTES
There’s a high probability that you already have a classic, go-to carrot cake recipe, a moist double-layered cake filled with nuts—maybe also coconut and raisins—decorated with a traditional cream cheese frosting. Although certainly delicious and one of my favorite cakes, I hope you give this spicy version a chance to win you over, too.

It’s made with a blend of whole wheat and all-purpose flour, as well as brown butter in both the cake and frosting, for extra flavor and nuttiness. But the real star? Spicy candied pecans, flavored with cayenne, cinnamon, and ginger. Not only are they delicious as a garnish (and to snack on), but mixing the candied nuts directly into the batter adds a lovely kick and texture to the whole cake.

Tips & Tricks
• I want to make sure you go into this recipe knowing that it is indeed spicy, so if you or someone in your family would like a milder level of heat, reduce the cayenne to ¼ to ½ teaspoon or leave it out completely. Another option is to halve the recipe for the candied nuts and use them on top, as a decoration rather than baking them into the cake, too.
• If you don’t feel like browning butter (although I HIGHLY recommend it because it is delicious), swap the browned butter in the cake batter for an additional ½ cup of neutral oil. In the frosting, use ¼ cup softened unsalted butter rather than ½ cup.
• You can make this a day in advance. Cover it with plastic wrap and store the cake in the fridge. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
—Nea Arentzen

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[GregCurtin]

High praise and respect for anyone who makes a habit of mixing oil with butter in their cakes. Fat is flavour and oil gives lightness and longevity. While I am missing the coconut, rum soaked raisins, and a bit of crushed pineapple I love your concept and execution. A single layer thick cake is a great way of freshening up an old recipe. Outstanding! #CarrotCake #BrownButter

[KarenParis-tuhx]

This is a really good, moist, flavorful cake. It has a sweet and tangy kick flavor and yet the carrots aren’t lost. We are enjoying this! Thank you!

[respectpleasethankyou]

Looks VERY yummy, interesting, and beautiful ❤❤❤ Brava!

[swisski]

I’m a brown butter monster, so this is right down my alley. I’m making this tomorrow, the rest of the recipe is surprisingly close to the one I habitually use. Om nom nom…

[gloriabresnitz]

Excellent 👍👍. That cake stand is beautiful 🤩

[ginanotafan]

Yum, saving this vid to my Recipes folder!😋💯

[m.pearce]

As a Spice loving older chef I totally love this Spiced Carrot Cake and I'm gonna put my layered 🌶️ spice to its hottest test

[JohnHausser]

Not the biggest fan of 🥕cake but this version looks awesome! I’ll effectively add a little more cayenne pepper for a spicy kick 🔥 🤫

[FishareFriendsNotFood]

considered adding spicy heat to carrot cake, intriguing! Plan on making this some time

[fatimae]

Hi great recipe! In the cake batter, you added ground ginger twice- 2 tsp then 1/2 tsp .. but written recipe states only 1/2tsp.. is cinnamon and ginger the only spices used? Thanks!

[lp]

LOL, it's pe-con. A pee-can is exactly that. Any Southerner will tell you so.😂😂😂

[nataliemscrzysxycoolharris]

I say PE-CANS too. If it had an H (Pe-CAHN)then it would sound different.

[kelsenkel]

Nea is right. PEA-can is the correct pronunciation.

[jmcosmos]

Nea, I do not at all understand. Why would you--why would ANYONE--want to put something called a "pee can" into your actual MOUTH??? A can full of pee?? I can think of few concepts nastier.

[roxyie]

Sorry. I PEEL nearly everything these days. They use human excrement for fertilizer, as well as chemicals to kill bugs and bacteria. Then they spray them at the store periodically to resist bacteria.

Washing is first, but doesn't remove all chemicals. And fertilizer permeates the first layer of the skin.

[normalizedaudio]

You guys are nuts to put that in your carrot cake. Eww.