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I don't know about you but when I think of the perfect homemade cake I picture
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something moist flavorful and a little fancy like this carrot bun cake with
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cream cheese filling and frosting and let's not forget the adorable chocolate
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carrot Toppers that make this cake extra special today I'm going to take you step
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by step through the process explaining not just what I'm doing but why it makes
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it difference baking is all about Precision patience and most importantly
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love so grab your mixing bowls and let's make some magic happen before anything
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else we need to preheat the oven to 350° f
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175° c this is an essential step because baking is a science if the oven isn't at
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the right temperature when we put the cake in it could bake unevenly leading
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to an undercooked Center or overbaked edges give your oven a few minutes to
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warm up properly I always like to have all my ingredients measured and ready before I start baking now if you see me
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putting each ingredient into its own little bowl like I'm hosting a cooking
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show just know it's for your viewing pleasure in real life I wouldn't dare
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unless I wanted to spend the next hour getting up close and personal with my dishwasher instead I keep things simple
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gather everything in one spot do a quick mental checklist and avoid the dreaded
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wait did I already add the baking powder moment instead I simply set everything
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out in one organized space to make sure I don't forget anything first I crack
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three eggs into a large glass mixing bowl eggs are the backbone of this cake
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binding everything together while adding moisture and richness I always crack
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them into a separate Bowl first because trust me nothing ruins the baking Vibe
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faster than fishing out a sneaky piece of eggshell plus it's a great way to check
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that all the eggs are fresh before they go into the batter next I add 1 cup
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plain yogurt to the eggs yogurt is my secret weapon for keeping the cake
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incredibly soft and moist it also adds a subtle tanginess
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that helps balance the sweetness of the cake giving it a more well-rounded
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flavor plus its acidity reacts with the baking soda later helping the cake rise
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to Perfection then I add add 2 taspo vanilla extract this simple ingredient
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enhances all the other flavors bringing warmth and depth to the cake it's what
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gives homemade baked goods that unmistakable comforting Aroma and makes
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every bite feel like a hug uh hug in dessert form I take my whisk and gently
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mix everything together until the ingredients are fully Blended the key here is to mix uh just enough to combine
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everything without overdoing it over mixing can lead to a dense cake instead
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of a light and fluffy one if you don't have a whisk on hand no worries a
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regular Fork will do the job just fine just give it a little extra effort and
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you'll get the same smooth well mixed result here's a little secret I learned
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the hard way always grab a bowl that's bigger than you think you'll need trust
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me nothing kills the baking mood faster than watching your flower puff into a
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mini kitchen snowstorm or chasing runaway batter off the counter give your
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ingredients some space to breathe now it's time to bring the dry ingredients
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together I grab a large mixing bowl always bigger than I think I need
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because dry ingredients have a habit of puffing up at the worst moments and
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start adding everything in first I add two cups of allpurpose flour this is the
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backbone of the cake giving it structure and ensuring it holds together well
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while remaining soft and tender next I toss in 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1
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and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda these two are the leavening agents that make the
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cake rise and become light and fluffy the baking soda reacts with the yogurt C
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idity helping to create that perfect Airy texture then I sprinkle in 1/2
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teaspoon salt it might seem like a small addition but trust me it makes a huge
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difference salt enhances all the other flavors balancing the sweetness and
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making the warm spices pop finally I add 1/4 teaspoon each of ground ginger
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cloves and Nutmeg these spices bring that signature depth and warmth giving
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the cake a cozy spiced flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the
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carrots I take my clean whisk and gently mix the dry ingredients together making
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sure everything is evenly distributed this step is crucial because
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it helps prevent any clumps of baking soda or spices from ending up in one
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spot ensuring the flavors are balanced throughout the cake if you want an even
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finer texture you can use a large sifter instead this helps irate the flower
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making the final cake lighter and fluffier and if you're in a pinch a
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simple Fork will do the job just fine just be sure to mix thoroughly so everything is well Incorporated in a
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third Bowl I start by adding 3/4 cup melted butter butter is what gives the
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cake its Rich tender crumb and helps keep everything moist I make sure it's
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melted but not too hot to avoid affecting the texture of the batter if you're unsure about the best way to melt
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butter without burning it or making a mess I have a separate video showing
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exactly how to do it be sure to check that out next I add one cup granulated
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sugar this is what gives the cake its sweetness while also playing a role in
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structure and texture sugar helps create a soft and Airy cake by incorporating
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air when mixed with other ingredients then I mix in 1/2 cup brown
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sugar brown sugar brings a deeper caramel likee flavor and adds extra
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moisture making the cake even more tender it also enhances the overall
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richness of the cake balancing out the spices beautifully once everything is in the bowl I grab my
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jumbo blending whisk and start mixing until the butter and sugars are completely combined and smooth the key
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here is to make sure there are no clumps of sugar lingering at the bottom if you prefer you can absolutely use a stand
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mixer or a hand mixer for this step it makes the process faster and ensures
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everything is evenly Incorporated I use all of them depending on my mood but today
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I'm keeping it simple with a whisk and if all else fails your trusty Fork will
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do the trick in a pinch now it's time to bring everything together I slowly pour
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the egg mixture into the sugar mixture whisking continuously to ensure a smooth
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and even incorporation adding it gradually is key dumping it in all at
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once can lead to scrambled eggs and trust me no one wants that in their cake
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this step helps create a well balanced batter that will bake up light fluffy and
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delicious next gently fold in the dry ingredients being careful not to over
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mix as you mix you'll notice the batter getting thicker and more resistant it's
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totally normal this happens as the flour absorbs the moisture and the structure
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of the batter starts to form over mixing at this stage can make the cake dense
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and heavy so stir just until you no longer see dry flour streaks we want this this bunt to stay light tender and
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perfectly moist if your batter turns out too thick don't worry it's an easy fix
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simply add a tablespoon of milk one at a time until
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the the and cheat Andy uh loosens up to
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uh a smooth and and pourable texture this prevents the cake from turning out too too dense on the other hand if your
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batter is too thin and runny gradually mix in a tablespoon of flour at a time until it thickens up be careful not to
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add too much at once as this can make the cake dry and tough the key is to
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adjust slowly and mix gently to maintain the perfect [Music]
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balance finally fold in three cups grated carrots carrots are the heart of
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this cake bringing natural sweetness and moisture which helps keep the cake soft
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and flavorful they also add a love speckled look to each slice making the
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cake visually appealing I'm using store-bought pregrated carrots for
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convenience because let's be honest sometimes life is too short to wrestle with a box grater and end up with orange
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stained fingers but if you're feeling ambitious or just really enjoy the arm
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workout freshly grated carrots will work just as well in fact they might even add
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add a touch more moisture to the cake either way the important thing is that
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the carrots make it in not how they got there next add one cup chopped
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peans peans contribute a delightful Crunch and a nuty richness that
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complement the warm spices in the cake their slightly buttery taste adds depth
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to each bite making the cake even more irresistible here's a little baking
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Quirk of mine I always chop my own nuts I never buy pre- chopped ones because no
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matter what they're never quite the right size for what I need maybe it's a little obsessive but hey I like my nuts
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just right now I grab my trusted silicone
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spatula this thing has been with me through countless recipes and I swear by
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it if you ever come to my house or Studio you'll find an entire Army of them in different colors and sizes some
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people collect mugs I collect spatulas with my trusty tool in hand I
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gently fold the chopped nuts and carrots into the batter making sure everything
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is evenly distributed without over mixing now let me share the secret
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ingredient that takes this bun cake from good to absolutely irresistible something that ensures it's
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creamy rich and Incredibly moist in a large glass mixing bowl combine 8 oz
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Cream Cheese room temperature I usually leave it out on the counter the night before so it's perfectly soft when I'm
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ready to use it softening the cream cheese beforehand ensures a lump free smooth filling making it much easier to
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mix mix in 1/2 cup granulated sugar the sugar not only adds sweetness but also
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helps create a smooth creamy consistency in the filling next add 1/2 teaspoon
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vanilla extract this enhances the overall flavor giving the filling a warm
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and aromatic touch that pairs beautifully with the tanginess of the cream cheese then pour in 2 teaspoon
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lemon juice the acidity cuts through the richness adding a bright and refreshing
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contrast that makes the filling taste even more balanced and delicious
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beaten one egg to help the filling set during baking this keeps the filling
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firm and prevents it from oozing out use a hand mixer to beat everything together
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until completely smooth and creamy start on low speed to avoid any splattering
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then gradually increase to medium until the mixture becomes velvety and lump
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free this step is crucial because a well mixed filling ensures a smooth Rich
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texture inside the cake if you don't have a hand mixer don't worry a sturdy
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whisk and a little extra arm power will get the job done just keep whisking
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until you achieve that dreamy creamy consistency now that we have everything prepped and ready it's finally time to
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start baking this is the moment where all that careful measuring and mixing
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comes together but pay close attention this step can make or break your bunt
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cake trust me I've been there a simple mistake here could mean your cake
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doesn't bake evenly or Worse refuses to come out of the pan in one piece and yes
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I have an entire video dedicated to my own bun cake fail to prove it but don't
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worry follow these next steps carefully and you'll be rewarded with a
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beautifully baked cake that slides right out of the pan like a dream I put on
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disposable vinyl gloves because trust me things are about to get a little messy
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if you don't have gloves on hand no worries just grab a sandwich bag slip it
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over one hand and voila instant kitchen Mitten it might not be the most
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fashionable choice but hey it gets the job done without turning your hands into
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mess coat every inch of your bunt pan with 1 tablespoon of vegetable
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shortening ensuring you get into all the intricate edges where cakes love to
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stick taking the time to grease properly helps guarantee a Smooth release trust
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me I've had my share of cake disasters I've tested countless bun pans silicone
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nonstick different shapes and sizes but I always come back to my favorite it
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bakes evenly releases effortlessly and creates the most stunning cake every
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time if I had to choose just one this would be it after greasing dust the pan with 1
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tbspoon of flour tilting and rotating to coat every Ridge hold it over the sink
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and gently Shake to distribute the flour evenly then tap out the excess to
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prevent clumps in your cake this extra step makes all the difference in achieving a clean easy release now take
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a moment to admire your perfectly prepped pan because nothing is worse than a cake that won't
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budge give it a final tilt to ensure even flour
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coverage then get ready for the fun part pouring in the
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batter we're one step closer to a Flawless bunt
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cake pour 1/3 of the batter into the bunt pan spreading it evenly to form a
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studdy base use a spatula to guide it into the pan grooves ensuring no empty
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spots lightly tap the pan on the counter to remove air bubbles for an even bake
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next spoon in all the cream cheese filling keeping it centered to create a
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distinct creamy layer use the back of a spoon or spatula to spread it evenly
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preventing it from seeping into the edges this step ensures every slice has
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the perfect balance of cake and filling finally pour the remaining
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batter over the filling carefully spreading it to cover the top smooth it
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out with a spatula making sure the filling stays in the center give the pan a few gentle Taps to
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release any trapped air now your bun cake is perfectly layered and ready to
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350° f for 50 to 65 minutes on the middle rack for even baking check done
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this with a toothpick it should come out clean or with a few crumbs if there's
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wet batter bake a bit longer and test [Music]
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again while the cake is cooling it's the perfect time to make the chocolate carrot Toppers these little edible
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decorations will add a fun and Whimsical touch to our cake making it look as good
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as it tastes plus they're surprisingly easy to make and the process is a lot of
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fun think of it as a little edible arts and crafts session first we'll melt 3/4
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cup of orange candy melts in a heatproof bowl these candy C melts are the perfect
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shade for our carrot shapes and have a smooth texture when melted
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properly next we add 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil this helps thin out the
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candy melts making them easier to work with and giving them a glossy finish
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stirring the mixture continuously ensures a silky lump free
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consistency I use a candy Melting Pot for this job yet another kitchen Gadget
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I convinced myself I absolutely need it do I use it often probably not as much
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as I should but when I do it feels like a professional chocola tier moment it
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keeps the candy melts at the perfect temperature smooth and silky with zero
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risk of scorching if you don't have a candy Melting Pot don't worry I have a
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separate video where I show different methods for melting chocolate including my microwave and stove top
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techniques check that out for step-by-step guidance on getting smooth
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perfectly melted chocolate every time no matter which method you choose keep
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stirring it's the secret to melt in your mouth chocolate consistency next we'll prepare a Piping
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Bag by fitting it into a tall glass and rolling the edges over the rim to keep
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things neat I use royal icing piping bags for this step because they are much
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thinner than the ones used for buttercream allowing for better precision and control the finer tip
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helps create cleaner lines and detailed designs making it perfect for delicate
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chocolate decorations like these carrot Toppers pour the melted orange candy
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into the Piping Bag making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl so you
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don't waste any twist the top tightly to prevent any chocolate from leaking out
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then tie a secure knot or use a bag clip to keep it closed this helps maintain
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even pressure when piping giving you better control over your designs if needed gently knead the bag
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in your hands for a few seconds to ensure the candy remains warm and smooth
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before you begin decorating for the leafy green tops will'll repeat the
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process with 1/4 cup of green candy melts these give the carrots they
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classic fresh from the garden look and add a fun pop of color to the
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decorations next I add 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil this helps keep the candy
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melts smooth and easy to work with preventing them from hardening too
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quickly while piping now to get started on shaping our chocolate carrot Toppers
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I need a baking sheet a carrot template and a parchment paper sheet the carrot
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template is available for download on my website so be sure to grab it if you want perfectly shaped
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decorations having a guide underneath the parchment paper makes piping so much easier especially if you're aiming for
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consistent shapes just tape the template to the baking sheet place a sheet of
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parchment paper on top and you're all set to start
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[Music] piping I snip off just the very tip of
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the Piping Bag better to start small and adjust as needed if I realize the
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opening is too tiny I can always snip a little more but if I go too big well I
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might as well be flooding a cake instead of piping Del decorations and if that happens no
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worries just transfer the melted chocolate to a new Piping Bag and start
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fresh chocolate work is very forgiving and a little trial and error is all part
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of the fun I start by piping the orange carrot shapes first carefully tracing
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the outline and filling them in to create solid smooth carrot
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bases once all the the orange carrots are piped I move on to the leafy green
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tops using a separate Piping Bag filled with green melted candy I carefully add
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little leafy tops at the end of each carrot making sure they slightly overlap
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with the orange section so they stick together as they Harden if the candy
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starts to stiffen in the bag a quick need with warm hands will bring it back
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to the perfect consistency I take my time here because these little details make the final cake
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look extra special once all the Carrot Tops are piped I place the tray in the
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fridge for 10 minutes to firm up completely these tiny details may seem
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small but they make a big difference in the final presentation of the cake when the chocolate has fully
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hardened carefully peel the carrots away from the parchment paper [Music]
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take your time with this step gently lifting them with a spatula or your
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fingertips helps prevent any breakage if they feel stuck try sliding
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a thin knife underneath to loosen them without damaging their shape place them
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on a plate making sure they don't overlap so they stay intact and ready
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for decorating now admire your little chocolate Creations they're going going
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to make the cake look absolutely stunning
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let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes after baking to help it settle
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and release more easily then place a cooling rack over the pan hold both
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securely and flip the cake out if it sticks gently tap or shake the pan
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before frosting let the cake cool completely about 30 minutes to an hour
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frosting too soon can cause it to melt and slide off to speed up cooling place
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the cake in a well ventilated area or refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes check
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for dness by touching the top it should feel cool or use a thermometer the cake
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is ready at 70° f 21° c a fully cooled
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cake ensures a Flawless mess-free frosting by the time your cake is ready your frosting should be too smooth
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creamy and perfect for spreading the keepy room temperature ingredients if you
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haven't already set out the butter and cream cheese to soften cold ones are a
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nightmare to mix once softened they'll blend into a silky spreadable frosting
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grab your mixing bowl and hand mixer It's Time to whip up a creamy Tangy
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topping that will take your moist spiced carrot bun cake to the next level in a
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large glass mixing bowl I place 4 oz of room temperature cream cheese letting it
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sit out ahead of time ensures it Blends smoothly without lumps making the
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frosting velvety and Rich next I add 2 tbspoon of unsalted butter also at room
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temperature because soft butter helps create a light and Airy texture when
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mixed then I mix in 1 tsp of yogurt this might not be a traditional ingredient
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but trust me it adds a slight tang and helps balance the sweetness of the frosting while keeping it extra creamy
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finally I add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract because what's frosting without
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that hint of warm fragrant vanilla this little touch elevates all the other
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flavors and brings them together beautifully now I grab my hand mixer and
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start blending everything together until the mixture is completely smooth and
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creamy watching the ingredients transform into a thick luscious frosting is always my favorite part it's the
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moment you know you're about to frost something truly special I take my time adding two cups of powdered sugar
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incorporating it half a cup at a time this slow process is like watching a transformation happening in real time
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each addition thickens the frosting turning it into a
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smooth luxurious spread after each scoop I mix thoroughly making sure the sugar
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is fully dissolved before adding more if I rush I'll end up with grainy frosting and no one wants
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that it's almost like a little workout whipping that frosting into
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shape one scoop at a time if you want a softer creamier
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consistency you can stop when it reaches your desired texture but if you want a
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more structure frosting keep going until all the sugar is
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incorporated I always tell myself just one more mix and before I know it I have
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a dreamy fluffy frosting ready to coat the cake like a Coy sweet blanket trust
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me patience here pays off big time
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to check if your cake has fully cooled gently touch the top with your fingertips it should feel completely
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cool to the touch with no warmth remaining you can also insert a
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toothpick or cake tester into the thickest part if it comes out cool your
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cake is ready for frosting for the most accurate result use a digital kitchen
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thermometer and check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the cake It should read Around 70° f 21° c
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when fully cooled this method eliminates any guess workor
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and ensures your frosting won't melt upon contact patients here will reward you
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with a perfectly frosted visually stunning bunt cake use a cake lifter to carefully
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transfer the cake onto a serving plate this ensures it stays intact and
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maintains its beautiful shape because after all this effort the last thing we want is a cake
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casualty now comes the fun part spreading the cream cheese frosting this
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is where the cake truly transforms into a masterpiece grab an offset spatula or
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the back of a spoon and generously coat the top letting the frosting flow naturally over the edges like a smooth
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velvety waterfall if you're feeling extra creative go ahead and grab a Piping Bag
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to create decorative swirls or elegant patterns because why not add a little
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flare for the Final Touch it's time to add those chocolate carrot Toppers gently place them around the
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cake giving it that Whimsical Bakery style finish if you want to take things
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up a notch sprinkle a handful of chopped Pickin over the top for a bit of crunch
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or lightly dust some cinnamon for an extra layer of of warmth and spice now
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the Moment of Truth slice serve and enjoy but before you dive in take a
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second to admire your work trust me it's worth it each slice is a perfect balance
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of moist spiced cake luscious frosting and that delightful snap of chocolate
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decoration this is the kind of dessert that makes all the effort totally worth it
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that's it we've made a delicious carrot buned cake with creamy filling and
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frosting topped with Fun chocolate carrots if you enjoyed this recipe don't
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forget to like subscribe and hit that Bell for more baking tips let me know in
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the comments if you try this recipe need to transport or gift your bunt cake
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don't let all your hard work go to waste by having it slide around in a box or
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smudge that beautiful frosting in my next video I'll show you the best ways to package a bunt cake
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securely whether you're wrapping it as a thoughtful homemade gift or making sure
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it arrives at your event in picture perfect condition from choosing the
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right container to simple tricks for keeping your cake intact I've got you
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covered happy baking and see you next time