Description

This Bunny Carrot Cake is a delightful and festive treat perfect for spring celebrations like Easter. Moist and flavorful, it combines warm spices, grated carrots, crushed pineapple, and a hint of nuts and coconut to create a rich, textured cake. Decorate it with cream cheese frosting and fun bunny-themed accents for an adorable and delicious dessert that kids and adults will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Additional Mix-ins

2 cups finely grated carrots
1/2 cup crushed pineapple (drained)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until evenly combined.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, unsweetened applesauce, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
Add Carrots and Mix-ins: Fold in the finely grated carrots, drained crushed pineapple, shredded sweetened coconut, and chopped walnuts if using, evenly distributing them throughout the batter.
Fill Pans and Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool the Cakes: Remove the pans from the oven and allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely to room temperature.
Decorate: Once cooled, frost the cakes with cream cheese frosting and decorate to create a bunny-themed cake. Use shredded coconut for fur, candy for eyes and nose, and paper or cookie ears for a charming finish.

Notes

For a bunny-themed cake, cream cheese frosting works best and pairs beautifully with the carrot cake.
Decorate with shredded coconut to mimic bunny fur and use candy or other edible decorations for eyes and nose.
If available, bake the cake in a bunny-shaped pan for a more festive look.
Make the cake ahead of time and refrigerate before decorating for easier handling and cleaner decorating.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American