Craving a delicious and slightly healthier alternative to traditional cream cheese icing? Our Carrot Cake with Cottage Cheese Icing is the perfect treat for any occasion that strikes a balance between sweetness and tanginess. This recipe combines the richness of a classic carrot cake with the light and creamy texture of cottage cheese icing for a delightful dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth without feeling overly indulgent. Let’s dive into making this scrumptious cake that’s sure to impress your family and friends!
**Carrot Cake with Cottage Cheese Icing**
**Ingredients:**
For the Carrot Cake:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 tsp baking powder
– 1 tsp baking soda
– 1 tsp ground cinnamon
– 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup brown sugar
– 3/4 cup vegetable oil
– 3 large eggs
– 2 tsp vanilla extract
– 2 cups grated carrots
– 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained
– 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
For the Cottage Cheese Icing:
– 1 cup cottage cheese
– 1/4 cup powdered sugar
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Fold in the grated carrots, crushed pineapple, and chopped walnuts if using, until evenly distributed in the batter.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan.
10. While the cake is cooling, prepare the cottage cheese icing. In a blender or food processor, blend the cottage cheese until smooth.
11. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the blended cottage cheese and mix until well combined.
12. Once the cake has cooled, spread the cottage cheese icing evenly over the top. You can also garnish with additional grated carrots or chopped nuts for extra flair.
**Enjoy your delicious Carrot Cake with Cottage Cheese Icing with a cup of tea or coffee for a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion!**
