“My idea of a perfect day is frozen custard at Shake Shack and a walk in the park (followed by a Lactaid). My idea of a perfect night is a good play and dinner at Orso (but no garlic or I won't be able to sleep). The other day I found a bakery that bakes my favorite childhood cake, and it was everything I remembered; it made my week” ~ Nora Ephron | I Remember Nothing: and Other Reflections
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Most parents panic when their phone rings at 10 pm. Mine know it's their nocturnal daughter wanting to chat. Never once have they said “We sure wish you'd call at a more reasonable hour” I love them extra for that
This week I was curious about the carrot cake my mom made for decades. “Did you mix the coconut into the frosting? Or simply sprinkle it on top?” It didn't take long before we were venturing deep into family rituals
Take, for example, my grandfather's recipe collection. After he passed, the recipes my dad searched for were those powerful enough to transport him back to childhood. He and his dad grating potatoes for hours through the smallest holes in the grater. His mom manning the griddle
I flip over to Instagram and know the potato pancakes he loved as a kid wouldn't be trending. Nor would the boozy mustard we hoped to replicate
Something about that seemed terribly nice
A few days later, I ask my son what are the meals he remembers from growing up? Were they some I always hoped the kids would remember?
Weekend pancakes made the list
Standing on chairs, the kids were tall enough to peer into the pan and watch as the batter hit the bubbling butter. One helped measure the flour, helping himself to whatever bits of batter he could scoop, lick or steal as I mixed. The other tenderly arranged berries into patterns as the pancakes as they rose. Sometimes hitting the mark, most times hitting the floor
The pancakes were pretty ok. We loved them beyond reason
I think family traditions are like that. They don't have to be special to feel special
My grandfather kept his collection of handwritten recipes and clippings in a big folder, and a shoebox of sorts. I have to wonder what he'd think of this space. My own personal shoebox. A place where I store all of my favorite odds and ends. The vintage pyrex and old dishes. The smudged and splattered recipe card with the rips, tears. The dog-eared cookbooks.
An official repository for many of the things I love and am grateful for
Every week I come here, to this humble white space and blinking cursor to leave behind something I want to remember. A recipe, a story, maybe a photo or two. It's fun to look back, pulling out memories one by one. Nibbling at the crumbs while making grocery lists and dinner plans
At the same time, just as my parents have the culinary treasures my grandfather left behind, I hope to do the same for my kids as well. I'd love for them to one day read through the stories and know a little bit more about who I was. The things I thought about, the life I led, how much they were loved, and some of our family's history
Such is the case with this carrot cake. It's been part of our family's tradition for as long as I can remember
And now it's been deposited
Carrot cake, I've discovered is a dessert that for many people (myself included) brings back the best memories of growing up. I can't count how many birthdays or special occasions have been celebrated with the back-of-the-bag recipe my mom saved in the 80s
Since being diagnosed with Celiac a few months ago, I've tried in vain to transform it into a healthier version of itself. Finally accepting that it's futile, but I can still remember just how good it tastes.
Friends, this cake is incredibly moist, light and forgiving whether you make it with or without nuts and raisins or extra spices. The pineapple is undetectable. While it doesn't call for raisins, I like to add them from time to time. The cream cheese frosting is fluffy, sweet, and as close to utopia as icing can get.
It's the carrot cake that people fight for the last piece, leaving all others behind. The carrot cake to end all carrot cakes. The piece de resistance of carrot cakes. Traditionally inspired, yet somehow unbeatable.
Enjoy!
xoxo
ps: Bon Appetit has some really great advice for avoiding common carrot cake mistakes
pps: More fun recipes and stories from Spaghetti Saturdays
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~ Recipe from Baker's Angel Flake Coconut bag, 1985
The Carrot Cake Family Traditions Are Made Of
Ingredients
Carrot Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup oil (neutral-tasting, such as sunflower or grapeseed)
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 eggs (large or XL)
- 1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple in juice
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 1 ⅓ cups coconut flakes, toasted
- ½ cup chopped nuts (we always use walnuts)
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 cup coconut flakes, toasted
- 3 oz cream cheese
- ¼ cup butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 Tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla
Instructions
Carrot Cake
- Preheat oven to 350° F and grease a 9 x 13" pan.
- Mix the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Thoroughly beat the oil, sugar, and eggs.
- Add the flour mixture; beat until smooth
- Add the pineapple, carrots, coconut, and nuts.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool on rack
Cream Cheese Frosting
- Lightly toast the coconut and allow to cool
- Cream the butter and cream cheese
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and half of the toasted coconut
Finish and Serve
- After the cake has cooled, frost with the cream cheese frosting
- Top with the rest of the coconut
101 Comments
Traditions are such beautiful things. They help us to connect with certain times and memories in our lives. I know my family has had plenty of them over the years. I think they have become more important a people have passed on and are no longer with us. I definitely miss my grandmother and all of the family gatherings and having everyone there around us. I really miss it. As for carrot cake, I agree. It’s totally one of those recipes that reminds me of my youth and happier times in so many ways. I didn’t usually get it at home, but at social gatherings and such.
My mom is a great cook. She made sure that we were all well fed when we were growing up. Now that she’s old (she is a few months shy of her 80th birthday), she is extremely critical of the her dishes that we try so hard to replicate. Her lemon chiffon cake is our favorite, and all these years, that is all I have trying to perfect. Hopefully, someday I will pass her taste test.
This post is so beautiful. It does not have to be special. It makes us feel special. This carrot cake though is so gorgeous. Carrot cake takes me back to coffee dates with my girlfriends in my 20s.
Those look so good! The best thing about food is how it can be a bridge to so many great memories in addition to being delicious. I think that’s why it’s such a huge part of everything we do.
I wish my grandma had melt a cookbook. She was the best. Not a fan of carrot cake but with these gorgeous pictures and the coconut frosting I think I am in!
love hearing about family traditions. Carrot cake is an all time favorite of both myself and my daughter. Love a cream cheese frosting
These do look fabulous, that’s for sure. I’ve always been a fan of carrot cake. It’s always awesome when recipes are passed down. I don’t cook or bake much, but there are some recipes that I have from my grandma.
I love this. Recipes that remind you of your childhood, those that bring back the days when all you cared about was playing with friends and running to the house to eat. I think this carrot cake is a must try, it looks gorgeous and it’s just in time for Easter. Definitely something to build memories with.
My parents never question the hour to which I call, they have always been loving and supportive and happy to hear from me. I wish my Grandma had written or shared some of her recipes before she passed. And I wish I’d been old enough and mature enough to know I should have asked and would want them later.
I made these last night using my new Wilton SQUARE cupcake pan that I’m in love with! The cakes are so darn cute. Then I made little carrots out of some pre-made orange icing in a tube I had from a meringue snowman project that I never got around to. Cute!
Oh and they are very tasty too. LOL
I love hearing about family traditions and how that is paralleled through the recipes that you are sharing! It makes cooking very personal and fun!
Just seeing those photos made my mouth water. One of my best memories with my mom was driving to a friend’s house to make carrot cakes. It was back before all these fancy shredding appliances, so we had to grate them all by hand on a box grater. It took forever, but those cakes were awesome. These look just as good.
Oh my…I am hungry right now and I love carrot cake. This is making me drool!
I wonder when I will get to the point of the kids being independent and all. Right now, they are both very dependent on me. Sometimes, it makes me tired. But then again, I try to appreciate this season in our lives because I know that they will not be little for very long. <3
I love family traditions and I know that was my child gets older he can look back and smile at all the things that we did together. These carrot cake look beautiful. I would absolutely love them.
Talk about a trip down memory lane! I think we all clamor for those recipes from mom, dad, or our grand parents that we remember from our childhood. Much like you were referencing: peeling and shredding potatoes with mom or dad, or a family favorite cake. This carrot cake recipe looks divine! I love the coconut sprinkled thoroughly on them!
Carrot cake is part of our family traditions as well. Of course, mine never look as good as yours, I need to be more creative with mine I see.
After my great grandmother passed, many of us were left wondering why we never wrote any of her recipes down. She was such a great cook and she made everything from scratch. Food really plays a huge part in family traditions.
My mom loves carrot cake. To the best of my knowledge none of us kids (or the grandkids) care much for it. But we’re all a bunch of rebels. One of my brothers ONLY likes key lime pie haha! The tradition of several different desserts at gatherings has to happen 🙂
Oh how food can bring back so many memories.. I remember thinking my grandmother made the best chicken noodle soup! When I got older I realized Campbell’s chicken noodle soup tasted EXACTLY like my grandmother’s… lol! My husbands grandfather was an amazing cook, but he kept all his recipes in his head.. I’ve spent the last few years trying to replicate his Christmas stuffing recipe, I’m so close I can taste it! For this reason I have written all my recipes down!?
I often talk to my parents around 10pm it’s just before they go to bed and I always think it’s nice to say goodnight, though sometimes these days it is a more a text than a phone call, but we always talk in some way around then.
These carrot cakes are adorable. I like the mini size, perfect for parties or single serving portions
I have honestly never even tried carrot cake! I need to make this, this weekend for Easter!
I love that you mentioned having carrot cake as a family tradition, I guess if I will relate to it, a black forest cake would be ours. I never get a chance to do a carrot cake but probably give it a try then.
This carrot cake looks so amazing! I like that they are individual cakes so that each person can have just one! The icing looks awesome, I need to try this recipe soon!
And now I totally need a mini bundt pan! Not only are these cute, but they look so good!
I am making this while home on spring break. Carrot Cake is my absolute favorite cake, my favorite spot that had it went out of business. I am in desperate need of a fix.
Love what you did with the coconut! Sounds like some amazing carrot cake. I’d love to try this recipe!
I’ve never had coconut carrot cake. I’ve been really missing out. Can’t wait to make this for the family soon.
This looks and sounds amazing. When I was little, my Nana used to make carrot cake so the taste and smell always brings me back.
These look absolutely amazing! I’ve never had a carrot cake like this before. I think they actually look like little fluffy bunny tails so they’d be perfect for Easter too 🙂
Now I understand why you’re such a perfect, and the most perfect cook!If it is in-born and descended right from your grandpa, well, there is no doubt! Memories , and especially good memories like your’ dad’s tying to recall his time making meals with his dad make everything seem more special. Anyway, these carrot cakes look as tantalizing and I’m definitely pinning this one for future eats.
These carrot cakes are gorgeous and I bet they taste amazing!! I need to make a carrot cake!!
Our family loves carrot cake but we’ve never got around to making it at home though. I honestly didn’t realize that it has coconut or is it only your version? Another thing I wonder is what my kids will recall as my cooking. Hmm, time to ask that!
I love carrot cake so much, it has to be one of my favorites. But I love the idea of these mini ones. Makes it so much easier to sere. I have the perfect little containers to make there too!
These look very good. I love carrot cake. It’s one of my favorite cakes. I think I’m going to have to make some of these for Easter this year!
The dish that I remember the most, which I must get the recipe from my mother is her sponge cake with the best frosting and sprinkles, she used to make for my brother when we had our birthday’s. Cooking for me is so important as it brings the family together.
I love carrot cakes. I have never baked one before but will try my hands on this recipe here. Sounds yummy.
last sunday my sister in law made us taste her version of carrot (and cinnamon) cake; it was delicious but since she loves to change a recreate her recipes, I think I’ll send her this one and I’m eager to taste the results. Once I used to make cakes with my mum, I hope one day me and my kids will prepare sweets together with my partner.
If you sold this cake I would happily buy all of it because you had me at moist and just the yummy photos. So glad to hear your grandpa had a recipe collection that took your dad back in time. That’s heartwarming!
In India there is a dish called carrot halwa . Its a dessert our grandmum used to make . Your carrot cake reminds me of that . I’m gonna try this for sure . Thanks!
What I would give to snack on this at this moment! It looks amazing. Love anything with coconut in it!
It’s amazing how certain foods carry with them very specific memories of the past. My favorite from my family is eating my weight in my Grandma’s mashed potatoes because they somehow tasted better than anyone else’s.
I was on a hunt for the perfect dessert for our traditional family breakfast (yeah heard that right we have Easter breakfast) and I knew I will find it on your site Alison. It seems I soon have enough recipes printed out from you to actually have them as a cooking book 🙂 Did you ever think about publishing your recipes? It would be awesome.
I love that you are carrying family traditions on and I think your Grandfather would love your version of his recipe box! My Grandmother passed a few years ago and she used to make delicious biscuits for everyone. We called them Grandma biscuits and I really thought the recipe had died with her…until my Grandad spent the next few weeks perfecting them again so he could give them to everyone who missed them. They are now Grandad biscuits and at the age of 90 he makes me a box every time I run out! Hopefully one day (not too soon) I will have that recipe and carry on the biscuit tradition!
I can still remember baking with my mom. Her cookies were the best. It’s a pity she doens’t make them anymore. And I would love to try a nice carrot cake some day!
Ok, you got me!! I am the ONLY person in my household that adores carrot cake, BUT I’ve never made it. I’m going to try this and see if I can convince my family. Ha! 😉
I’m glad they’re ok with their nocturnal daughter calling at a later hour. My mother was NEVER available later at night and I was one of those nocturnal people as well, ha!
oh wow, this looks yummy! Really brings back memories when I was a kid. I really don’t like carrots much, then my Mom put some carrots on muffin, viola.. I’m able to eat carrots. Anyway, really love the carrot cake especially with almonds. Thanks for this one cause I like coconuts too 🙂
Oh those sweet memories of being in the kitchen with my grandmother and my mom, they’re always the best. I still have all our family recipes and I love making them from time to time especially when I’m feeling nostalgic. Nothing beats a recipe that you grew up to. These carrot cakes are like little pieces of heaven.
My family really loves their carrot cake. I couldn’t imagine a gathering without it.
Now this is a recipe I need to try out. I have never in my life made a carrot cake.
First ever from scratch carrot cake, in memory of my dad….it came out like something from a gourmet bakery! It was great!
This looks incredible and so delicious! With Easter coming I may just have to snag this recipe for our family! Thank you for sharing!
I don’t know what I liked the most about this post, the story behind the carrot cakes or the carrot cakes themselves! I think family traditions are important, especially as you get older, it is a wonderful feeling to look back and remember the things we enjoyed when we were kids. The carrot cakes look amazing! I have never made carrot cake before, I am not a baker at all, but these definitely make me want to give it a try. Thank you for sharing!
Ali, this cake is SO good! I made it to take to a potluck at work on Friday and everybody asked for the recipe. I’m so pleased. I also made your brisket recipe this past weekend which I’m never disappointed with! Thanks, as always, for your wonderful recipes. xo
I treasure the traditions of family recipes. I have my grandmother’s recipe box and it is so nice to look into her recipe box and see her handwriting, my mom’s handwriting and my aunt’s handwriting.
Your carrot cake looks amazing. I have been looking for a dessert to share this Easter and this might top the list!
My mom used to bake a lot. And it’s her chiffon cake that I will always have a fond memory of. 🙂 I’ve never had coconut carrot cake before. I would love to try your recipe soon.
I actually never had a carrot cake in my life before! these look so cute and tasty! I grew up with crêpes and waffles at home so that might be our tradition!
We always have spaghetti on Sunday. Nothing special or fancy, but my kids love it. Those are the things kids remember – like your weekend pancakes. I don’t think your carrot cakes would last long at my house!
I usually don’t like coconut much in desserts, but I think in this one, it just adds the x factor. Love how amazing they look! Great job at food photography too!! 🙂
This carrot cake looks incredible! It would make the perfect addition to an Easter family meal.
The carrot cakes look really nice – the frosting is wonderful. However – how about those potato pancakes from your dad? You should give them a try – and us the recipe (I actually prefer savory food and potato pancakes sound like something that might become my favorite)
I’m actually obsessed with carrot cake, and am willing to try any and every recipe. I can’t wait to try yours — it looks amazing, and the frosting seems to die for!
I love carrot cake, but every time I try to make it, it never seems to come out as delicious as when I buy it. I definitely will try this recipe, it seems like a real winner!
We love carrot cake too, and I use to hate grating the carrots. Then I discovered the Salad Shooter. It grates my carrots perfectly, and is so fast. I do cut the carrots into strips, but other than that it’s a breeze!
I loooove carrot cake! I usually put chocolate icing, but yours sound sooo good!
I love a good carrot cake. I also have a passed down recipe from my grandmother. I still kept it in my mini cook book journal. I love a carrot cake with lots of cream cheese. It makes it more yummier!
Wow, that carrot cake is making my mouth water! I absolutely love it, it’s probably my favourite cake, Which is odd as I’m not a big fan of carrots as a vegetable generally!
Carrot cake is seriously my favorite! I have had this as my choice of birthday cake for a while and am going to have to try this out.
These little carrot cakes are adorable! These would be great for a party. We love carrot cake in our family.
Food can evoke such powerful memories and there is something so special about family recipes that have been passed down through generations. I know there are a few recipes that instantly make me think of my mom or grandma, or great grandma for that matter. I’m not much of a cook, but I hope one day my son has similar memories of something I make. This carrot cake looks phenomenal. Yum!
Oh my goodness. I wasn’t hungry before this post, but I officially am. These are honestly great, and I feel like they’d be perfect before company came over. Not to mention the photography is downright beautiful, so well done!
As a kid I remember baking birthday cakes with my mum and her teaching me and my cousin how to bake different types of cakes including carrot cakes which is a favourite past time.
I so enjoy reading your words, even if you do make me say ‘moisten’ in my head. You’re just the greatest, most lovely, and witty thing to read in the morning with my coffee. Thank you, Ali!
OMG!!! This looks DELISH! I soooo want one of these NOW! I am not a baker but I am certainly going to try.
Ali, the only thought I can manage, on the grayest morning of the sleepiest Friday of the most dreary month, is: your writing is wonderful. Thanks for this post and for writing so winningly about the joys of family recipes. xo
I absolutely love this. Family recipes and traditions are so great, even when they’re extremely simple. The memories that accompany the recipes make them so much better. Can’t wait to give the carrot cake a try!
Just beautiful writing. And it didn’t hurt that I’m reading it on a day when the sky is blue, and the sun is shining. Yes, it’s still twenty degrees outside, but with a little sun and a fire going, it doesn’t seem to matter.
So with something lovely to read, a damn good cup of coffee, and a little sunshine, I’m convinced that at least for this minute all’s right with my world.
I wish the same to everyone who visits this blog, and, of course, to you, Ali.
XOXO
Elizabeth Keene
Delicious! When I was growing up, each member of the family got to choose their birthday cake recipe. My brother always chose carrot cake, and I’m so old that this predated food processors. I always had to grate the carrots by hand, and usually some of my knuckles, too!
Family meals are a tradition all to themselves! So many of my best childhood are centered around food! LOL. I adore carrot cake, and we have a bakery here that makes a scrumptious one. I wouldn’t have thought to add coconut, but it sounds (and looks) amazing, and now I need to try it!
What a wonderful family story and traditions, I would love to cook one very special dish once a year and have all my relatives taste it. I wish to improve it and keep that promise, hopefully, I can make traditions for my generations too. By the way, the carrot cake is way too special, very tempting – I may try this recipe this weekend.
Ali, by chance, have you read Marion Cunningham’s preface to the Fannie Farmer Cookbook (my edition is from 1983)? it will make you weep to hear her talk about how we have to teach cooking to women who didn’t learn from their mothers and grandmothers. xx
Oh I love a family recipe, traditions like that are so important aren’t they? I love carrot cake, but in all honesty my favourite part of it is the frosting alone!
You are my new best friend!! Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting sounds like a perfect diet breaker. I have a lot to catch up on…all of your other recipes sound marvelously dreamy! Thx!
I know a lot of people don’t like carrot cake just based off the name but it is delicious. I’ve never tried to make it myself though!
I think Grand Parents are incredible…they always have something special which we used to eat at childhood… we are just fighting for the last piece of our favorite cake…your family seems deeply connected to traditional recipes…Love both your Carrot Cake and the loving family you have…Whenever I will eat that definitely going to remember you!!!
Not sure who I love more, the author or the carrot cakes. I love the personality and creativity of the blog as well as the recipe. Looking forward to trying it! xx
Lol my mum is normally in bed by 9 so I tend to get told off if I phone at 10pm. I first started making carrot cake when I was pregnant 1st time around, it’s yummy and can’t be that unhealthy – it’s made with carrots!!!!
You absolutely HAVE to try carrot cake with pistachios in the batter, cream cheese frosting and topped with more pistachios. It’s magical. Seriously. Something special, like telling your mom she doesn’t have to make your favorite cake ever for your birthday and she says okay, but then (SURPRISE!!!) she made it anyways! 😀 (hint: this is the favorite).
My dad loves carrot cake but I hate cream cheese frosting, but then again I think he loves it more so he doesn’t have to share ahaha. Shall be trying this out for him!
My grandmother made potato pancakes and I sure wish I could replicate them! Nothing is better than tasting a favorite dish from our childhood! I can replicate her goulash and it’s so good! I LOVE carrot cake! It’s my favorite of cakes! Thank you so much for the recipe! I hope that I can make it in a way that lives up to your family tradition!
This carrot cake changed my life. I have never had my own birthday cake that someone lovingly made for me each year. I could never settle on just one thing and switched it up every year looking in vain for the perfect birthday cake. Husband (who is NOT a baker) made this for my birthday last weekend and I went to some sort of carrot cake nirvana. I don’t even like carrot cake that much. I’m a chocolate girl. But this is it. The Official Birthday Cake.
Even better the next day! Just had another piece this afternoon after baking it yesterday! No topping this time. The cake is SO DELICIOUS on its own! OMG this is the best! Thanks again!!
I made this cake over the weekend to take to a potluck at work. Everyone gave it five stars and we have some picky eaters in the mix! It was very moist and absolutely perfect. I didn’t change a single thing, except used two nine inch round pans instead of one cake pan. I had a little bit of a problem getting the cake out of the pans because of its moistness and density. Next time I make it I will not just spray the pans but also flour them like my mom does, and I’m sure that will help. Very, very good!
This looks amazing. I kinda like thr mix and i have never had a carrot cake before. New things i keep learning about on your blog makes me want to be in the kitchen someday with you while you teach me all about it. Am sure this tastes good too.
I always remember my Grandma baking us a million cakes, and carrot cake was my second favourite (after chocolate of course). I’ve never been able to recreate it but I will keep trying!
I made this cake for my mom’s birthday (which happened to be Easter Sunday), it was AWESOME!!! Everyone loved it. My husband didn’t even have to listen to me cuss at the cake because it was so darn easy to make. Although, my poor steaming hot little kitchen wasn’t very helpful while frosting (Delaware is HOT this Spring) and there were a few choice words. I practically paid my hubby to turn the air in our apartment on a bit early (a big no-no). Other than that, it was perfect – – even if I was lazy and chopped my carrots in the food processor. I also soaked my raisins in about a 1/4 cup of bourbon for a bit and poured the whole thing in. Amazing! And yes, I had a ton of frosting left over which saved the freakishly spicy Trader Joe’s ginger cookies I’ve been debating over what to do with. Best snack ever!!! Thanks so much! Your site is my favorite place to go. : )
Ok, this recipe has been on my back burner since I discovered your blog. Amazing. We made this weekend as a surprise for my sister’s birthday. (Carrot Cake is her favorite) My true test of a new recipe is when fiance wants to make it for someone else other than us. But the second bite, he asked, “Who else can we make this for?”
This carrot cake looks DELICIOUS, especially the frosting. Carrot cake is one of my favorites, and I typically make it for Easter. I have never made this version though, and might have to give it a try! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I am big on continuing on family traditions. When my father passed away 9 years ago I promised myself to continue on his tradition of making home made olives, chorizo and prossiuto. This carrot cake looks amazing and I’m going to try it for my mum who LOVES cakes!! x
Oh my gosh Alison! Now I want to eat carrot cake!!! My mouth waters. But I am very specific with the carrot cake that I want — the one that my friend makes. Too bad she does not make them regularly huhuhu