Healthier Carrot Cake

This carrot cake recipe is made healthier by using less oil and sugar, but it's still packed with flavor. A favorite treat for picnics and parties.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 400 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3 cups grated carrots
• 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 (8 ounce) package Neufchatel cheese, softened
• 0.25 cup butter, softened
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1.5 cups white sugar
• 0.75 cup vegetable oil

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch pan.

Step 2

Prepare the cake batter: Beat together eggs, oil, white sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in carrots. Fold in pecans. Pour into prepared pan.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.

Step 4

Make the frosting: Combine butter, Neufchâtel cheese, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla. Beat until mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in chopped pecans.

Step 5

Spread frosting over completely cooled cake.