Apron Strings Carrot Cake

Prep: 20 min Cook: 45 min Serves: 12 Cuisine: American

A moist, flavorful carrot cake infused with cinnamon, pineapple, coconut, and pecans, perfect for celebrations or everyday indulgence for those who enjoy rich, textured desserts.

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 3 eggs
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 cup crushed pineapple
  • 2 cups grated carrots
  • 1/2 cup flake coconut
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Combine baking soda, flour, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.
  2. Set aside the dry ingredients.

Tips & Substitutions

For a moister cake, consider adding an extra 1/2 cup of crushed pineapple. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute it with regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Toasting the pecans before adding them enhances their flavor. Make sure to finely grate the carrots to ensure they blend well into the batter.

Serving Suggestions

This delicious carrot cake pairs beautifully with a cream cheese frosting, which adds a tangy sweetness. Serve it alongside a refreshing Apricot Cottage Cheese Salad for a delightful contrast. It’s perfect for birthdays or gatherings, and you can garnish with extra pecans or coconut flakes for added texture.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover carrot cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. To keep it fresh, you can also wrap individual slices in plastic wrap. If you need to reheat, microwave each slice for about 10-15 seconds, ensuring it remains moist.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Apron Strings Carrot Cake contains roughly 701 calories, with 8g protein, 47g carbohydrates, and 57g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (116% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (32% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1412mg per serving (61% of the Daily Value).

701 kcal 35% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 8.4g 17% DV
Total Fat 56.8g 73% DV
Carbs 46.6g 17% DV
Fiber 9g 32% DV
Sugar 15.5g 31% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 1411.7mg 61% DV
Potassium 841.3mg 18% DV
Cholesterol 65.5mg 22% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 1041.8mcg 100% DV
Vitamin C 4.5mg 5% DV
Vitamin D 0.5mcg 3% DV
Calcium 182.7mg 14% DV
Iron 2.4mg 13% DV
Diet fit High-fiber
Contains Egg Wheat/Gluten Tree nuts

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this carrot cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cake a day in advance and store it covered at room temperature. Just wait to frost it until you're ready to serve, as the frosting can soften over time.

What can I substitute for the pecans?

If you have nut allergies, you can substitute pecans with sunflower seeds or omit them altogether. For a different flavor, try using walnuts or almonds.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

To make a gluten-free carrot cake, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure that all other ingredients, like baking soda and vanilla, are also gluten-free.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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