BOBBY’S LIGHTER CARROT CAKE

By á-8559

Ingredients

• 2 cups cake flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 egg whites, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup apple butter
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2 cups grated carrots (about 3 carrots)
• 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
• Frosting
• 1 (8-ounce) package reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchatel)
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1/4 cup plain Greek-style yogurt
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Details

Adapted from pauladeen.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F degrees. Spray two 8-inch round cake pans with nonstick spray. Line with wax-paper rounds; spray with nonstick spray.
Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
Beat the eggs and egg whites in a large bowl using a hand mixer until thickened, about 2 minutes.
Gradually add the sugar, beating until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the apple butter and oil just until blended. Add the flour mixture and beat just until blended.
Stir in the carrots and pineapple.
Divide the batter evenly between the pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 – 35 minutes.
Let cool in the pans on racks 10 minutes. Invert the layers onto racks and remove the wax paper; let cool completely.
For the frosting: Add all ingredients, except nuts, into a medium bowl and beat until fluffy using a hand mixer.
Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate. Spread 1/3 cup of the frosting over the layer. Top with the remaining layer. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and side of the cake. Sprinkle with the nuts.