A Southern Bake Full of Soul & Spice
Carrot cake is that unforgettable Black Southern dessert—moist, spiced, and made with love. But this version by @jaaliyahs adds a bold twist: brown butter, sour cream, and double-textured carrots.
It’s rich, elevated, and still deeply comforting. That nutty frosting takes it from Sunday dinner to full-on showstopper. One slice won’t be enough.
Ingredients
For the Carrot Cake:
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup unsalted brown butter (melted) – we love @kerrygoldusa
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- ⅓ cup applesauce
- ⅓ cup sour cream – @daisybrand preferred
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
- 1 tsp each of allspice, cloves, cinnamon & nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 cups grated carrots (use two grater sizes for texture)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 stick (½ cup) brown butter, re-solidified over ice
- 1 (8 oz) block of cream cheese – @phillycreamchs
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Mix the Wet Ingredients
- Whisk together sugars, brown butter, oil, applesauce, sour cream, vanilla, and eggs until smooth.
2. Combine the Dry Ingredients
- Sift and whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.
3. Fold the Batter
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
- Fold in carrots and optional nuts.
4. Bake the Cake
- Pour the batter into pans and bake for 40–45 minutes, checking doneness at 40 minutes.
5. Cool the Cake
- Let cakes cool in pans for 10–15 minutes.
- Transfer to a wire rack.
6. Prepare the Frosting
- Whip brown butter and cream cheese.
- Beat in powdered sugar until fluffy.
7. Assemble & Frost
- Layer and frost the cakes
- Top with chopped nuts for extra crunch.
Pro Tips & Suggestions
- Brown your butter ahead for deeper flavor—don’t skip chilling it before frosting.
- Use two grater sizes for carrots to add texture and moisture.
- Don’t overmix the batter—fold gently for a tender crumb.
- Chill the cake before slicing for cleaner layers and easier cutting.
About the Creator
This recipe is by Jaaliyah, the self-taught baker behind @jaaliyahs. She’s known for reimagining Southern classics with rich, gourmet flavors and heartfelt technique that keeps you coming back for more.
Jaaliyah | @jaaliyahs