Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/4 cups vegetable or canola oil
4 large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups finely shredded carrots
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
8 oz full-fat block cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
1/4 teaspoon salt (for frosting)
1 package chocolate sandwich cookies
Candy bunnies or bunny-shaped marshmallows
Candy carrots or orange and green frosting for piping
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by greasing and flouring it or lining with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, both sugars, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula until just combined.
5. Gently fold in the shredded carrots and optional nuts.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
7. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
9. To make the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together with an electric mixer until smooth.
10. Gradually add the powdered sugar, followed by the vanilla and salt, and beat on medium-high until light and fluffy.
11. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
12. Sprinkle crushed chocolate sandwich cookies over the frosting to create ‘dirt’.
13. Arrange candy bunnies and carrots on top to create a bunny patch scene.
Notes
For an extra moist cake, use oil instead of butter and be careful not to overmix the batter. The finished cake can be made up to two days in advance and should be stored covered in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 48g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 75mg