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Jamaican Carrot Cake Recipe

Jamaican Carrot Cake Recipe

Olivia Brooks
This easy Jamaican Carrot Cake Recipe blends carrots, pineapple, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a rich Caribbean-style cake.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Jamaican
Servings 10 to 12 slices
Calories 415 kcal

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
  • Box grater or food processor (for carrots)
  • Measuring cups and spoons.
  • 9-inch round cake pan or loaf pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Cooling rack

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves optional but lovely
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup brown sugar packed
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 –2 tablespoons dark rum or rum essence

Add-Ins

  • 2½ cups finely grated carrots
  • ½ cup crushed pineapple drained well
  • ½ cup raisins
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans optional

Optional Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prep Everything

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. Trust me, this makes unmolding so much easier.
  • Grate your carrots finely. You want them soft so they melt into the batter, not chunky.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

  • In a large bowl, whisk brown sugar, white sugar, and oil until smooth and glossy. Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each. Stir in vanilla and rum.
  • The batter should smell warm and sweet already.

Step 4: Bring It Together

  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in two parts. Fold gently. Don’t overmix—just until no dry flour remains.
  • Now fold in grated carrots, pineapple, raisins, and nuts. The batter will be thick and textured. That’s exactly what you want.

Step 5: Bake

  • Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top.
  • Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
  • Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.
Keyword Jamaican Carrot Cake Recipe