Saltgrass Carrot Cake Recipe
Unveil the delectable Saltgrass Carrot Cake recipe. Moist layers, creamy frosting—elevate your dessert game with this ultimate homemade delight.
- Publisher: Crisp Recipe
- Cuisine: American
- Category: Dessert
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Servings: 12
- Calories: 350 calories
Saltgrass Carrot Cake
The Saltgrass carrot cake is a classic dessert offering from the Saltgrass Steak House, a restaurant known for its Texas-themed cuisine and casual dining atmosphere. The carrot cake is a popular choice among customers who enjoy its moist texture, rich flavor, and indulgent cream cheese frosting.
Typically made with a blend of all-purpose flour, sugar, grated carrots, crushed pineapple, and optional chopped nuts, the cake batter is seasoned with cinnamon for added warmth and depth of flavor. The result is a deliciously spiced cake that incorporates the natural sweetness of carrots and the fruity tang of pineapple.
The cream cheese frosting is a quintessential pairing for carrot cake, providing a smooth and creamy contrast to the cake's texture and flavors. The frosting is made from a combination of cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. It adds a luscious and slightly tangy element that complements the sweetness of the cake.
Summarily, the Saltgrass carrot cake offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors, making it a favorite dessert choice for those who dine at the Saltgrass Steak House. It's a comfort food that brings together the warmth of cinnamon, the earthiness of carrots, and the indulgence of cream cheese frosting, resulting in a dessert that's perfect for special occasions or simply satisfying a sweet craving.
Recipe
Indulge in culinary bliss with our tantalizing Saltgrass Carrot Cake Recipe! Discover the perfect blend of flavors & create a dessert masterpiece today.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups finely grated carrots
- 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Method Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs until they are light and fluffy. Gradually add the vegetable oil while continuing to beat.
- Stir in the grated carrots, crushed pineapple, and chopped nuts (if using).
- Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cakes are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and continue to beat until the frosting is well combined. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Once the cakes are completely cooled, spread a layer of cream cheese frosting on top of one cake layer. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining cream cheese frosting.
- Optionally, you can garnish the cake with additional chopped nuts or grated carrots.
- Slice and serve the delicious Saltgrass carrot cake!
- Enjoy your homemade carrot cake from Saltgrass Steak House!
Recipe Video
This is a video about Saltgrass Carrot Cake.
Video Author: Natashas Kitchen
Rated: 4.9 of 5.0 from 379 reviews.
Recipe Tags: Saltgrass Carrot Cake, Saltgrass Carrot Cake Recipe, Recipe
Servings
To serve the Saltgrass carrot cake, follow these steps for a delicious presentation:
- Slice the Cake: Use a sharp knife to cut the carrot cake into individual slices. You can cut the slices as thick or as thin as you prefer.
- Plate Presentation: Place each slice of carrot cake on a dessert plate. You can use decorative dessert plates for a more elegant presentation if you'd like.
- Garnish (Optional): For an extra touch of visual appeal, you can garnish each slice with a sprinkle of chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans) on top of the cream cheese frosting. Alternatively, you could also sprinkle a pinch of ground cinnamon over the frosting.
- Serve Chilled: Carrot cake is often best served chilled, as this helps the flavors meld together and the frosting set nicely. If you've kept the cake in the refrigerator, allow it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving to enhance its flavor.
- Accompaniments (Optional): If you'd like, you can serve the carrot cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on the side. This adds a creamy and slightly cold contrast to the warmth of the cake.
- Enjoy: Once the cake slices are plated and any optional garnishes or accompaniments are added, you're ready to enjoy the Saltgrass carrot cake! Savor each bite, appreciating the combination of flavors and textures.
Tips
- Grate Carrots Finely: Make sure to grate the carrots finely for a smoother texture in the cake. Larger carrot pieces might affect the consistency of the cake.
- Drain Pineapple Well: If using canned crushed pineapple, make sure to drain it well to remove excess moisture. This will prevent the cake batter from becoming too wet.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Use room temperature eggs, cream cheese, and butter for both the cake batter and the frosting. This helps achieve a smooth and even texture.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: Sifting the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda) can help prevent lumps and ensure even distribution of leavening agents.
- Avoid Overmixing: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can result in a dense cake.
- Don't Overbake: Keep an eye on the cakes while baking to prevent overbaking. Insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out with a few moist crumbs, the cakes are done.
- Cool Cakes Completely: Allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting or sliding off the warm cake layers.
- Frost Evenly: When frosting the cake, use an offset spatula or a cake decorating tool to create an even layer of cream cheese frosting on top and around the sides.
- Frost in Stages: If you have time, consider doing a "crumb coat" layer of frosting first. This thin layer locks in any cake crumbs and makes it easier to achieve a smooth final coat of frosting.
- Chill Before Serving: After frosting the cake, refrigerate it for a couple of hours before serving. Chilling helps the flavors meld and the frosting set.
- Store Properly: If there are leftovers, store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Bring slices to room temperature before enjoying to enhance the flavors.
- Personalize: Feel free to customize the recipe by adding your favorite mix-ins, such as raisins, coconut flakes, or different types of nuts.
- Experiment with Spices: If you enjoy experimenting with flavors, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to the cake batter for extra depth.
- Quality Ingredients: Using high-quality ingredients, especially for the cream cheese and vanilla extract, can greatly impact the flavor of the cake and frosting.
- Have Fun: Baking is an enjoyable process. Don't be afraid to get creative with decorating or making small adjustments to suit your taste.
Ingredient Substitutes
- All-Purpose Flour: You can substitute all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a slightly nuttier flavor and added nutrition. Keep in mind that whole wheat flour can result in a denser texture.
- Granulated Sugar: If you're looking to reduce the sugar content, you can try using a natural sweetener like maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar. Keep in mind that this may slightly alter the flavor and moisture level of the cake.
- Vegetable Oil: Vegetable oil can be replaced with an equal amount of melted butter or melted coconut oil for a different flavor profile. Applesauce can also be used to reduce fat content, but this might result in a slightly different texture.
- Eggs: For each egg, you can use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) or applesauce. Keep in mind that these substitutes might affect the texture and rise of the cake.
- Crushed Pineapple: If you prefer not to use pineapple, you can omit it entirely or replace it with unsweetened applesauce for moisture. Chopped dried fruits, such as raisins or cranberries, can also be used.
- Chopped Nuts: Nuts are optional, and you can omit them if you have allergies or prefer a nut-free cake. Alternatively, you can use seeds like chopped sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- Cream Cheese: You can use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative if you need the frosting to be dairy-free. These alternatives are often made from tofu or nuts.
- Butter: If you're looking for a dairy-free option, you can use margarine or a dairy-free butter substitute.
- Powdered Sugar: To make a powdered sugar substitute, blend granulated sugar with a small amount of cornstarch until it reaches a powdery consistency.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract can be substituted with vanilla bean paste or almond extract for a different flavor twist.
Remarks
Elevate your baking repertoire with this Saltgrass Carrot Cake recipe. Unleash a symphony of flavors that's bound to delight every palate. Get ready to impress!