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Carrot Cake Coffee Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 96 reviews

This Carrot Cake Coffee Cake is a delightful twist on the classic carrot cake, featuring a moist carrot cake base layered with a creamy sweetened cream cheese filling and topped with a cinnamon-spiced crumb topping. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat with coffee, this cake combines warm spices, grated carrots, raisins, and a luscious cream cheese layer for a rich and satisfying flavor experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Crumb Topping

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar (or dark)
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest

Carrot Cake

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg (room temperature)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt (or sour cream)
  • 7 oz. finely grated carrots
  • 1/3 cup raisins

Cream Cheese Layer

  • 12 oz. cream cheese (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line either a 9×9 inch or 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper and spray it with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Grate carrots: Finely grate the carrots and set them aside, preparing them for the cake batter.
  3. Make crumb topping: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon orange zest. Cut in 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter using two forks or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles pea-sized crumbs. Set aside.
  4. Prepare cream cheese layer: In a separate large bowl, beat 12 oz. cream cheese, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth. Add 1 egg and continue mixing until fully combined. Set this mixture aside.
  5. Mix dry ingredients for cake: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Set aside.
  6. Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together 1/4 cup unsalted butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 cup white granulated sugar until smooth and light.
  7. Add egg and vanilla: Beat in 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well combined.
  8. Add dry ingredients and yogurt: Alternately add the dry ingredients and 1/2 cup plain yogurt (or sour cream) to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined to maintain a tender crumb.
  9. Add carrots and raisins: Fold in the grated carrots and 1/3 cup raisins until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  10. Assemble the cake: Spread the carrot cake batter evenly into the prepared pan. Carefully spoon and spread the cream cheese mixture on top of the carrot batter, avoiding the edges to prevent it from leaking out during baking.
  11. Add crumb topping: Sprinkle the prepared crumb topping evenly over the cream cheese layer.
  12. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs attached.
  13. Cool: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, slice and serve.

Notes

  • Using room temperature ingredients (butter, eggs, cream cheese) helps to ensure a smooth batter and cream cheese filling.
  • You can substitute plain yogurt with sour cream for a slightly tangier flavor and extra moisture.
  • Make sure not to overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to keep the cake tender.
  • The orange zest in the crumb topping adds a fresh citrus note that complements the warm spices and carrots.
  • Store leftover cake covered in the refrigerator to keep the cream cheese layer fresh.
  • This coffee cake pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea for breakfast or afternoon snack.

Keywords: carrot cake, coffee cake, cream cheese layer, crumb topping, cinnamon, raisins, spiced cake, breakfast cake

Find it online: https://spiceupwithsophie.com/carrot-cake-coffee-cake-recipe/