# What you'll need:
→ Carrot Cake
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
08 - 1 cup granulated sugar
09 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
10 - 4 large eggs
11 - 1 cup vegetable oil
12 - 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
13 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
14 - 3 cups grated carrots
15 - 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
16 - 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
→ Cream Cheese Frosting
17 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
18 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
19 - 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
20 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
21 - Pinch of salt
→ Decoration
22 - 1 cup shredded coconut (for fur)
23 - Pink food coloring (for ears and nose)
24 - Brown or black candies or chocolate chips (for eyes)
25 - Marshmallows (for tail and cheeks)
26 - Edible flowers, pastel candies, or sprinkles (optional)
# Method:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
03 - In a separate bowl, beat eggs with granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add vegetable oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly.
04 - Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Stir in grated carrots and, if desired, nuts and raisins.
05 - Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
06 - Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes, then transfer onto wire racks to cool completely.
07 - Beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, continuing to beat until frosting is fluffy.
08 - Place one cake layer on a large platter as the face. Cut two symmetrical ovals from the second layer to form ears, using remaining pieces for bowtie or feet shapes.
09 - Frost the assembled cake generously with cream cheese frosting.
10 - Sprinkle shredded coconut over the frosted cake to simulate fur texture.
11 - Tint a small portion of shredded coconut with pink food coloring and apply to the ear centers and nose.
12 - Use candies or chocolate chips for eyes and marshmallows to form cheeks and tail.
13 - Optionally embellish with edible flowers, pastel candies, or sprinkles as desired.
14 - Refrigerate the decorated cake for at least 30 minutes before slicing to ensure clean cuts.
