Indian carrot cake inspired by gajar ka halwa which is carrot halwa. Cake is loaded with cardamom, carrots, nuts and raisins. Topped with easy to make whipped cardamom cream cheese frosting.
8ozcrushed pineapple227 g (adding pineapple does make it a denser cake with the added liquid, you can use half the amount as well)
2cupall purpose four284 g
1½cupsugar318 g
2tspchai masalaor skip and use 2 tsp cardamom powder total instead for more authentic gajar ka halwa based cake
1tspcardamom powder7 g
1/4tspsalt
2tspbaking soda
¾cupsoy milk
1tbspvinegar
1tbspvanilla extract
½cupoil
Whipped Cardamom Cream Cheese Frosting
8ozcream cheese1 block at room temperature
⅛tspsalt
¾cupsugar
1½cupheavy whipping cream
1tspvanilla extract
1½tspcardamom
Instructions
Gajar Ka Halwa - Indian Carrot Cake
Prep ingredients. Line pans with parchment paper and preheat to 350F. Combine milk of choice with vinegar.
Mix dry ingredients (sugar, flour, spices, salt) in a bowl. Mix wet ingredients in another bowl (oil, vanilla extract, milk with vinegar). Slowly add in the dry ingredients to combine with wet. Then, add in raisins, roasted nuts, carrots and crushed pineapple. Mix to combine, do not let stand very long as carrots will release excess moisture which will impact your bake.
Pour batter into parchment lined pan. I like to keep little handles of parchment to make it easier to lift, if needed. Bake for 1 hour- 1 hour 5 minutes if using 9 inch circle pan. About 35-40 minutes if using two 8 inch circle pans. Check with toothipick to ensure cooked. Time can vary.
Whipped Cardamom Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat cream cheese, salt, cardamom, vanilla and sugar together until combined.
In a separate bowl, whip heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form and you have whipped cream.
Add whipped cream in batches to the cream cheese mixture, folding it in to combine. Don't mix vigorously.
Once combined and cake has cooled completey you can frost and serve. Top with chopped roasted pistachios for garnish.
Notes
[web_stories title="true" excerpt="false" author="false" date="false" archive_link="true" archive_link_label="" circle_size="150" sharp_corners="false" image_alignment="left" number_of_columns="1" number_of_stories="5" order="DESC" orderby="post_title" view="circles" /]Make sure cream cheese is at room temperature for frostingAs an option make some carrot halwa and add in between layers. Recipe for gajar ka halwa linked here