J Alexanders Carrot Cake is a beloved dessert known for its moist texture, rich flavor, and creamy frosting. This recipe recreates the restaurant’s famous cake, allowing you to enjoy this delectable treat in the comfort of your own home.
Prep Time
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients For J Alexanders Carrot Cake Recipe
To create this mouthwatering J Alexanders Carrot Cake, you’ll need ingredients for the cake and the cream cheese frosting. Here’s what you’ll need:
For The Cake
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure and texture to the cake.
- Baking soda: Acts as a leavening agent, helping the cake rise.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic flavor characteristic of carrot cake.
- Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
- Large eggs: Bind ingredients and contribute to the cake’s structure.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a tender crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Grated carrots: The star ingredient, providing moisture, natural sweetness, and texture.
- Chopped pecans: Add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
For The Cream Cheese Frosting
- Cream cheese: Forms the base of the frosting, providing tangy flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth texture.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting and contributes to its structure.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the frosting.
Step-by-Step Instructions For J Alexanders Carrot Cake Recipe
Follow these detailed steps to create your own J Alexanders Carrot Cake at home:
Preparing The Cake Batter
- Begin your J Alexanders Carrot Cake recipe by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the right temperature when your batter is ready.
- Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. This helps distribute the dry ingredients evenly.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs, oil, sugar, and vanilla extract until well combined. This mixture forms the base of your cake batter.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cake.
- Fold in the grated carrots and chopped pecans, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
Baking The J Alexanders Carrot Cake
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula.
- Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, carefully remove the cakes from the pans and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Creating The Cream Cheese Frosting
- While the cakes are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and beat the frosting on medium speed until light and fluffy.
Assembling And Decorating Your J Alexanders Carrot Cake
- Once the cakes have cooled completely, place one layer on a serving plate or cake stand.
- Spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting over the top of the first layer.
- Carefully place the second cake layer on top of the frosted layer.
- Use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of the cake, creating a smooth or textured finish as desired.
- For a finishing touch, you can decorate the cake with additional chopped pecans, carrot curls, or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
What Makes J Alexanders Carrot Cake Special
J Alexanders Carrot Cake stands out for its perfect balance of flavors and textures. The cake is incredibly moist, thanks to the generous amount of grated carrots and oil in the batter. The warm spices, particularly the cinnamon, complement the natural sweetness of the carrots, while the chopped pecans add a delightful crunch. The cream cheese frosting is rich and tangy, providing a luxurious contrast to the spiced cake.
Tips for Perfecting Your J Alexanders Carrot Cake
- Use freshly grated carrots for the best flavor and texture.
- Don’t overmix the batter to ensure a tender crumb.
- Allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- For extra flavor, toast the pecans before adding them to the batter.
- Bring the cream cheese and butter to room temperature for smoother frosting.
Variations on the Classic J Alexanders Carrot Cake
Pineapple Paradise: Add 1/2 cup of crushed pineapple to the batter for extra moisture and tropical flavor.
Coconut Dream: Mix 1 cup of shredded coconut into the batter and sprinkle toasted coconut on top of the frosted cake.
Spice It Up: Enhance the warm flavors by adding 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger and nutmeg to the batter.
Raisin Delight: Fold in 1/2 cup of plump raisins along with the carrots and pecans.
Maple Twist: Replace 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar with pure maple syrup in the cake batter.
Serving and Storing Your J Alexanders Carrot Cake
Serve the carrot cake at room temperature for the best flavor and texture. To store, cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze unfrosted cake layers for up to 3 months.
Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
| Calories | 450 |
| Total Fat | 28g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Cholesterol | 75mg |
| Sodium | 300mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 48g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Sugars | 35g |
| Protein | 5g |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this cake in advance?
Yes, you can bake the cake layers up to 2 days in advance. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them at room temperature. Frost the cake on the day you plan to serve it.
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
To make a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
Can I use a different type of nut?
Absolutely, While pecans are traditional, you can use walnuts, almonds, or even a mix of your favorite nuts.
How do I know when the cake is done baking?
Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the cake is done.
Can I make this recipe as cupcakes?
Yes, this recipe can be adapted for cupcakes. Fill lined muffin tins about 2/3 full and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Recreate the Famous J Alexanders Carrot Cake Recipe Now
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup chopped pecans
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
Preparing the Cake Batter
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs, oil, sugar, and vanilla until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated.
- Fold in the grated carrots and chopped pecans.
Baking the Carrot Cake
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Whipping Up the Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until well combined.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
Assembling and Decorating
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a generous layer of frosting on top.
- Add the second cake layer and frost the top and sides of the cake.
- Optionally, decorate with additional chopped pecans or carrot curls.