Carrot Cake (lighter recipe)

Name: Carrot Cake (lighter recipe)
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 16
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce; 2 teaspoons vanilla; 1 egg; 4 egg whites; 2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour; 1 3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 5 medium carrots, shredded (3 cups); 4 oz (half of 8-oz package) reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), softened; 1 1/2 teaspoons fat-free (skim) milk; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; 2 cups powdered sugar

20 Minutes Prep1 Hour 5 Minutes Total
16 Servings
300 Calories per Serving

Low-fat ingredients like applesauce, egg whites and reduced-fat cream cheese make for a cake with the same great flavor of high-fat carrot cakes.

Ingredient List

Cake

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 egg
4 egg whites
2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
5 medium carrots, shredded (3 cups)

Cream Cheese Frosting

4 oz (half of 8-oz package) reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), softened
1 1/2 teaspoons fat-free (skim) milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

Preparation

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan. In large bowl, mix sugar, oil, applesauce, vanilla, egg and egg whites until blended; beat with spoon 1 minute. Stir in remaining cake ingredients except carrots; beat with spoon 1 minute. Stir in carrots. Pour into pan.
Bake 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on cooling rack.
In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until smooth and spreadable. Spread frosting over cake.

Tips

Mixing time can make the difference between a so-so cake and a great cake. Overmixing results in “tunnels” and can cause the cake to sink in the center; undermixing results in a crumbly texture.
Let your food processor save you time. The carrots can be shredded in a matter of seconds when you use this kitchen tool.

Nutrition Information

Servings: 16

Serving size: 1 Serving

Amount per serving (Calories ): 300

Nutrition Facts
Food component / Nutrient	Amount	% Daily Value*
Total Fat	9g	14%
Saturated Fat	2g	11%
Trans Fat	0g	% Value not available
Cholesterol	20mg	6%
Sodium	210mg	9%
Total Carbohydrate	50g	17%
Dietary Fiber	1g	5%
Soluble Fiber	0g	% Value not available
Sugars	36g	% Value not available
Protein	4g	% Value not available
Vitamin D	Value not available	0%
Vitamin E	Value not available	4%
Calcium	Value not available	2%
Iron	Value not available	6%
Potassium	115mg	3%
Thiamin	Value not available	10%
Riboflavin	Value not available	10%
Niacin	Value not available	6%
Vitamin B6	Value not available	2%
Vitamin B12	Value not available	0%
Pantothenic Acid	Value not available	2%
Phosphorus	Value not available	4%
Magnesium	Value not available	2%
Zinc	Value not available	0%
Manganese	Value not available	10%
Selenium	Value not available	15%
Copper	Value not available	2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.