Upside-Down Carrot Cake
A moist, flavorful upside-down carrot cake featuring caramelized nuts and a spiced batter, perfect for gatherings or a comforting dessert with a wholesome twist.
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp. butter or 50/50 butter and oil, mixed ⓘ
- 3 to 6 Tbsp. brown sugar ⓘ
- nuts (walnuts or pecans) ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. whole wheat pastry flour ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. unbleached white flour ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. baking powder ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. soda ⓘ
- 1 tsp. sea salt ⓘ
- 2 tsp. cinnamon ⓘ
- 1 c. brown sugar ⓘ
- 1 c. raw wheat germ (optional) ⓘ
- 1 c. canola or sesame oil
- 2 well beaten eggs ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla ⓘ
- 4 c. finely grated carrots ⓘ
Instructions
- Prepare two round cake pans by coating the bottom and sides with butter or a butter and oil mixture.
- Add 3 to 6 tablespoons of brown sugar to each pan, spreading evenly.
- Press walnuts or pecans into the sugar, covering the bottom of each pan with nuts.
- Warm the pans in a preheated oven at 350°F about 5 minutes before filling with batter.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat pastry flour, white flour, baking powder, baking soda, sea salt, and cinnamon.
- In another bowl, mix together 1 cup of brown sugar, canola or sesame oil, eggs, and vanilla until well blended.
- Stir the grated carrots into the wet mixture.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans over the caramelized nuts.
- Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool slightly, then invert onto serving plates to reveal the caramelized nut topping.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
1327
kcal
66% DV
Protein
Fat
Carbs
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
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).