Carrot Bundt Cake

There’s many ways to dress up a Carrot Bundt Cake, however this one is inspired by a classic Italian version that features only carrots and orange. A few additional spices, like cardamom, adds a deepness in flavor for a perfect winter’s cake. A quick honey glaze enhances all the flavors together in this mixer-free cake.

Carrot cake. What a wonder. Filled with vegetables and yet still so deliciously sinful. This recipe is designed for a slightly smaller bundt cake pan. Shown in the photos is a 5-cup size, but the recipe as written can used up to a 6-cup pan. If you have a larger, full sized 8- to 9-cup pan, feel free to double the recipe and fill your tin 3/4 full. An increased baking time means you may have the need to cover the cake with aluminum foil if the top is beginning to brown before fully cooked.

Prepping Your Carrots

As much as I love a complicated baking project, there’s something about a cake that doesn’t require pulling out the mixer. Much like this Grapefruit Olive Oil Cake, you need very few tools. This comes together with nothing but two bowls, a whisk and spatula. But also, a box grater. I know, it’s way easier to buy the pre-shredded carrots at the grocery store, but carrots are the star ingredient here. This is the one time the extra time spent peeling and grating fresh carrots is 100% worth it. Fresh carrots have so much more “life” in them, they are juicier, softer and create a beautifully moist (sorry) cake with that tale-tell orange hue.

Honey Glaze

The honey glaze is the finishing touch here. I like to heat the honey for just 5 seconds in the microwave to make it easier to whisk. Add as much milk for your preference. A little less milk will create a thicker, more opaque, glaze. More milk will create a glaze that will slightly soak into the cake. There’s no right answer here, it’s your cake and glaze your way!

Glazing Carrot Bundt Cake on plate with measuring cup filled with sugar in front.

Tips for Success

  • For best flavor and texture, shred whole carrots at home
  • Do not over-mix batter, gently fold ingredients together just until combined
  • Bundt pans with more complicated patterns will require a thorough greasing – baking sprays like Baker’s Joy are helpful to ensure all nooks are covered
Partially sliced bundt cake overhead with slice removed and bunch of carrots on the side.

Helpful Tools

  • This is the exact 5-Cup Bundt Pan I used in the images here. It’s not mini, but it’s not the giant size either.
  • Baker’s Joy is really a life saver for all cakes. I have never had a cake stick using this spray.
Print
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Carrot Bundt Cake

Carrot Bundt Cake

  • Author: Theresa | Quiet Baking Day
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 8 slices
  • Category: Cakes
  • Method: Easy
  • Cuisine: Italian

Description

Filled with vegetables and yet still so deliciously sinful. This Italian-style Carrot Bundt Cake replaces icing with a subtle honey glaze.


Ingredients

Units
  • 150g all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2c. vegetable or canola oil
  • 99g granulated sugar
  • 106g brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup (113g – 4oz snack container) unsweetened applesauce
  • 170g (about 4 medium carrots) shredded carrot
  • Zest and juice of 1/2 orange

Honey Glaze

  • 113g powered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 12 tablespoons whole milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Generously grease and flour bundt pan.
  3. Whisk together all dry ingredients.
  4. In separate bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, sugars, vanilla, and applesauce.
  5. Slowly add dry ingredients into wet, mixing with rubber spatula.
  6. Stir in carrots, orange zest and juice.
  7. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 30-35.
  8. Cool for 15 minutes before inverting onto cooling rack.
  9. To make glaze: whisk together ingredients. Adding more milk will make a thinner glaze. Spoon over completely cooled cake.

Notes

  • To make a large 8- or 9- cup bundt cake, double recipe and fill tin 3/4 full.

Keywords: bundt, mixer free, vegetable

Recipe Disclaimer: 

I test all my recipes using the Metric gram weights as shown. I recommend investing in a small kitchen scale for the most accurate results. I cannot guarantee exact outcomes using the US system. 

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About Theresa
Oh, hello, and welcome to my kitchen! My kitchen is the place I go to escape the hustle of the world and find some peace and serenity. These are the recipes I go to when I truly need a quiet baking day.

Hi, I'm Theresa

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