With Easter coming this week it is time to start baking with carrots. This carrot cake cream cheese swirl bundt cake is not only beautiful, but the tender spiced carrot cake with just a hint of cream cheese swirling throughout is so delicious. Add the frosting on top and it will take it out of this world!
Ingredients:
CARROT CAKE:
- 1 2/3 cup (8 1/2 ounces) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3-4 large carrots, ends trimmed and finely shredded (about 2 cups)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup toasted, chopped pecans, optional
CREAM CHEESE FILLING:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, light or regular, softened
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
FROSTING:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon sour cream
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9- or 10-inch bundt cake pan very well, getting in all the nooks and crannies. Lightly dust with flour, tapping out the excess, and set aside.
For the cake batter, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl (you can use the bowl of a stand electric mixer here), with a handheld electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugars together until blended. With the mixer running, drizzle in the oil and mix until thick and creamy.
Add the dry ingredients, carrots and pecans, and mix gently by hand until combined and no streaks of flour remain. Set aside for a few minutes while preparing the cream cheese filling.
For the cream cheese layer, beat together the cream cheese, vanilla, sugar and egg until smooth and well-combined. You can use an electric mixer or a blender (Blendtec model) for whipping this together.
Pour half of the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Spoon the cream cheese mixture in dollops evenly across the top. Finish with the remaining carrot cake batter. It’s ok if you can see the cream cheese layer peeking through – the carrot cake may not cover it all the way.
Bake the cake for 45-60 minutes until the top lightly springs back to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and let sit for 5-10 minutes before turning out onto a serving plate to cool completely.
For the frosting, whip together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth and well-combined. I usually use an electric mixer. Add the heavy cream, sour cream and powdered sugar and mix until light and fluffy.
Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the frosting over the top curve of the bundt cake. If you want to cover the cake entirely, you can double the frosting.
Refrigerate until ready to serve. The cake can be made, frosted and refrigerated up to a day in advance.
