Carrot cake has been a popular dessert and appetizer item at the Costco food court for many years. It’s perfect for any occasion or just as an indulgent snack. From its spiced aroma to its sweet and nutty flavor, this classic cake is sure to please.
It’s also incredibly easy to make! This procedure follows a similar style as the one found in Costco’s food court, but with some slight variations.
With just a few simple ingredients and some basic baking skills, you can whip up a carrot cake that tastes just amazing. Perfect for birthdays, parties or even an afternoon snack! So, let’s get started.
Want more cake recipes? Check these:
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- Infinite Forest Cake
- Costco Fruit Cake
- Costco Chocolate Cake
What is Costco Carrot Cake?
Costco Carrot Cake is a classic dessert that can be found in the Costco food court. It’s a moist, spiced cake loaded with taste and texture. The key ingredients are carrots, walnuts and pineapple which combine to create a tasty treat that everyone will love.
This cake is also made with ingredients such as eggs, sugar, oil, buttermilk, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, salt, with juice and raisins.
It is often topped with cream cheese frosting or yogurt glaze. The spiced aroma of the cake, combined with its sweet and nutty flavor makes it a favorite among many.
Why You’ll Love this Costco Carrot Cake?
This Costco Carrot Cake has a spiced aroma and sweet nutty flavor, which makes it truly an indulgent treat! The moist and fluffy texture of the cake pairs perfectly with its rich taste.
It also has great nutritional value as it’s packed with proteins, fiber and healthy fats. The combination of carrots, walnuts and pineapple provide a balance of flavors that is sure to please everyone.
The vitamins, minerals and antioxidants present in these ingredients, makes it even healthier! It can also be customized to suit your taste preferences by adding or subtracting ingredients.
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The Ingredients For This Cake
- Eggs: Eggs provide structure to the cake and help it rise. They also add protein, which helps bind all of the other ingredients together.
- Sugar: Sugar adds sweetness and moisture to the cake. It also helps to caramelize during baking, giving the cake a golden brown exterior.
- Oil: Oil helps keep the cake moist and tender. It also helps to bind all of the ingredients together.
- Buttermilk: Buttermilk adds moisture and flavor to the cake. It also helps give the cake a light, airy texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract adds flavor to the cake and enhances all of the other flavors in it.
- All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour provides structure to the cake and helps it rise.
- Baking Soda: Baking soda helps the cake rise and gives it a light texture.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds spice and flavor to the cake, as well as moisture.
- Salt: Salt enhances all of the other flavors in the cake.
- Carrots: Carrots add sweetness and moisture to the cake, as well as fiber. They also give it an orange hue.
- Coconut: Coconut adds texture and flavor to the cake, as well as sweetness.
- Walnuts: Walnuts provide crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the cake.
- Pineapple: Pineapple adds a sweet, tropical flavor to the cake.
- Raisins: Raisins add sweetness and moisture to the cake as well as fiber.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Grease and lightly flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
Step 2
Make the Batter
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in the oil, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the large bowl and stir until just combined.
Step 3
Add in the Carrots, Coconut, Walnuts, Pineapple & Raisins
- Fold in the shredded carrots, flaked coconut, chopped walnuts, crushed pineapple with juice, and raisins.
Step 4
Bake the Cake
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- For a sweeter cake, you can add more sugar to the batter.
- You can top your cake with a cream cheese frosting or yogurt glaze if desired.
- Don’t overbeat the batter, as this will create an overly dense cake.
- Be sure to use fresh ingredients for the best flavor and texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- The cake can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw before serving.
Nutrition Information
Variations
Here are some variations to make the Costco Carrot Cake even more delicious:
- Add in grated apples or zucchini for extra moisture and flavor.
- Substitute walnuts with pecans, almonds or hazelnuts.
- Replace pineapple with banana for a tropical twist.
- Sprinkle grated coconut over the top of the cake for an extra crunch.
- Try adding a layer of cream cheese frosting for an extra indulgent treat.
- Top with a yogurt glaze and chopped nuts for a delicious finish.
- Add in some ground ginger or nutmeg for even more spiced flavor.
- Substitute raisins with dried cranberries or dried apricots for a different taste.
- Try adding in some pumpkin pie spice to the batter to create a unique cake.
- For an extra sweet treat, top with a buttercream icing or caramel sauce.
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking Pan
- bowls
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups white sugar
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 1 cup flaked coconut
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 can crushed pineapple with juice
- 1 cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In one bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the oil, buttermilk and vanilla extract; stir until combined.
- In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Fold in the shredded carrots, flaked coconut, chopped walnuts, crushed pineapple with juice and raisins; pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- For a sweeter cake, you can add more sugar to the batter.
- You can top your cake with a cream cheese frosting or yogurt glaze if desired.
- Don’t overbeat the batter, as this will create an overly dense cake.
- Be sure to use fresh ingredients for the best flavor and texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- The cake can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw before serving.
Nutrition
FAQs
Can I make this cake without eggs or dairy?
Yes, you can substitute the eggs with a flax egg and use a plant-based milk in place of dairy milk. Also, you can add vegan butter in the batter for an extra creamy texture.
How long will this cake keep?
When stored correctly, this cake will keep up to 4 days at room temperature or up to 1 week in the refrigerator. You can also freeze the cake for up to 3 months; thaw before serving.
Can I make this sugar free?
Yes, you can. Instead of regular sugar, you can use a sugar substitute such as stevia or monk fruit extract.
Wrapping Up
Thank you for reading our guide to making the classic Costco Carrot Cake! This delicious dessert is easy to make, full of flavor and packed with nutrition.
Please share this article with your friends and family who love desserts like this. You can leave a also comment below with your questions and feedback.
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Rebecca Novak is a trained chef with over 10 years of experience in the food industry. She has worked in both fine dining and casual Hungarian restaurants and specializes in creating dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. She also loves exploring different cuisines worldwide, which allows her to bring unique flavors and ideas to the recipes she creates for Hungarianchef.com. Read more