Healthier Carrot Cake

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

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 400 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups white sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 3 cups grated carrots
• 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 (8 ounce) package Neufchatel cheese, softened

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Beat together eggs, oil, white sugar, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 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 preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into center of 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

To make frosting: Combine butter, Neufchatel cheese, confectioner's sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat until mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in chopped pecans. Spread frosting over completely cooled cake.