Rich & Moist Tahini Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting: A Unique Dessert Experience
Prepare to embark on a delightful culinary journey with our exceptional Tahini Carrot Cake. This isn’t just any carrot cake; it’s a single-layer wonder, perfectly baked in an 8-inch square pan, that brings an unexpected yet utterly harmonious twist to a beloved classic. Our recipe is a thoughtful adaptation of Rachella’s Tahini Carrot Cake, a truly inspiring creation that, as you might recall from our Tahini Sugar Cookies post, was the very muse behind the renowned Soom Tahini brand. The story goes that the Soom sisters, upon tasting Rachella’s extraordinary cake in Israel, were so captivated by its unique flavor and the quality of the Israeli tahini used that they returned home determined to create their own premium tahini – one so good, you’d happily eat it straight from the package. Or, in this glorious case, swirled into a delectable cake and its irresistible frosting.
Tahini: An Unexpected, Yet Natural Harmony with Carrot Cake
For many, the idea of incorporating tahini into carrot cake might seem unconventional at first blush. Yet, once you consider the rich, earthy, and slightly nutty profile of tahini, its compatibility with the warm spices and sweetness of a classic carrot cake becomes remarkably clear. Before encountering this recipe, the thought had never crossed my mind, but upon reading about it, the concept resonated immediately. And indeed, it truly is a match made in culinary heaven. Tahini lends an incredible depth to the cake, imparting a slightly darker hue and a subtle, sophisticated hint of sesame flavor that elevates every bite.
Beyond its unique flavor contribution, tahini also plays a crucial role in the cake’s texture. It helps to ensure an incredibly moist and tender crumb, preventing the cake from drying out and adding a richness that is simply unparalleled. This sesame paste beautifully complements the traditional spices used in carrot cake – a generous half tablespoon of cinnamon, a touch of allspice, and the mellow sweetness of brown sugar. Together, these ingredients create a complex flavor profile that is both comforting and exotic.
This Tahini Carrot Cake also includes the satisfying crunch of nuts, which add another layer of texture and traditional flavor. While some carrot cake enthusiasts might typically reach for golden raisins or crushed pineapple, you’ll find that this cake stands proudly on its own without them. The distinct character brought by the tahini and spices means that these common additions aren’t missed in the slightest. In fact, many find that the pure, unadulterated combination of carrot, spice, and tahini is a revelation, offering a fresh perspective on this beloved dessert.
Crafting the Perfect Tahini Cream Cheese Frosting: A Delightful Transformation
And then there’s the crowning glory: the Tahini Cream Cheese Frosting. My initial reservations about tahini-flavored cream cheese frosting were quite strong. As I mixed the ingredients, a certain skepticism lingered; it seemed a bit too sweet, and the distinct tahini flavor appeared to overshadow the beloved tanginess of the cream cheese. I confess, I wasn’t entirely convinced it would be a hit.
Nevertheless, I proceeded to generously frost the cooled cake. At first, its appearance felt a little plain. I spontaneously swirled a bit more tahini directly onto the top, hoping to add some visual interest, but it still didn’t quite pop. I considered adding some nuts, but ultimately decided against it, assuming the taste would speak for itself. What happened a few hours later, however, was nothing short of a delightful transformation. When I sliced into the cake, the frosting had undergone a remarkable change; the flavors had melded beautifully, the sweetness had mellowed, and the tahini had harmonized perfectly with the cream cheese, creating a truly exquisite and balanced topping. The initial strong tahini note had softened into a creamy, nutty background that enhanced, rather than dominated, the frosting.
This experience taught me a valuable lesson: with this particular frosting, patience is key. So, if you’re making the frosting and aren’t immediately smitten with the taste, give it some time. Let it chill and allow the flavors to truly develop and marry. You’ll be rewarded with a frosting that perfectly complements the rich, moist cake beneath. This Tahini Carrot Cake, with its surprising yet utterly delicious tahini-infused frosting, truly is a great little cake that promises to impress.
Recipe: Tahini Carrot Cake with Tahini Frosting
Tahini Carrot Cake with Tahini Frosting
Anna
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cake
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (or use ww pastry, see note) (70 grams)**
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- 2 large eggs (110 grams)
- ¾ cup lightly packed light brown sugar (150 grams)
- 6 tablespoons canola oil (or you can use grapeseeed)
- 6 tablespoons premium tahini paste (80 grams)
- 1 ¼ cups peeled and shredded carrots (120 grams)
- ⅓ cup chopped walnuts optional
For the Frosting
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, softened (56 grams)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened and at room temperature (115 grams)
- ¼ cup premium tahini paste, bring to room temperature (56 grams), plus more for swirling
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, I recommend sifting (114 grams)
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour an 8-inch square baking dish to prevent sticking.
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In a medium bowl, thoroughly whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, and salt. Ensure all dry ingredients are well combined, then set aside.
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In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and light brown sugar together on medium-high speed. Continue beating for about 3 minutes, or until the mixture becomes noticeably lighter in color and slightly thickened. With the mixer running on low speed, gradually add the canola oil (or grapeseed oil) in a slow, steady stream until fully incorporated. Repeat this process with the premium tahini paste, adding it gradually until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
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Gently fold the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients using a spatula, mixing just until no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix. Then, fold in the shredded carrots and chopped walnuts (if you are using them) until evenly distributed.
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Pour the prepared batter evenly into your greased 8-inch square pan. Bake on the middle rack of the preheated oven for approximately 35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before attempting to frost it.
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For the Frosting: In a clean mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, softened cream cheese, and room temperature tahini paste. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sifted confectioners’ sugar, starting on low speed to prevent a sugar cloud, then increasing to medium until smooth and light. If desired, add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors. Be careful not to overbeat the frosting, as excessive mixing can sometimes cause cream cheese frosting to become runny.
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Once the cake is completely cool, spread the tahini cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. For an extra touch of elegance and flavor, you can swirl a small amount of additional tahini paste onto the frosted surface. Cover the cake and chill it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. This chilling period allows the flavors to deepen and the frosting to set perfectly. Serve cold, at room temperature, or however you prefer your carrot cake!
Notes
Tahini Quality: The quality of your tahini makes a significant difference. Opt for a premium, smooth tahini paste, like Soom Tahini, for the best flavor and texture. A good tahini will be pourable and have a balanced, nutty flavor without excessive bitterness.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs, butter, cream cheese, and tahini for the frosting are all at room temperature. This helps them combine smoothly and evenly, preventing lumps and creating a more cohesive batter and frosting.
Shredded Carrots: For the best results, use freshly grated carrots. Pre-shredded carrots from the store can sometimes be drier and coarser, affecting the cake’s moisture and texture.
Frosting Setting Time: As noted in the article, the tahini cream cheese frosting truly shines after it’s had a chance to chill and for the flavors to meld. Don’t rush this step!
Essential Baking Tips for Your Tahini Carrot Cake
To ensure your Tahini Carrot Cake turns out perfectly every time, here are some crucial tips:
- Measure Accurately: Especially with baking, precision matters. Using a kitchen scale to measure dry ingredients like flour and sugar (as indicated by the grams in the recipe) will yield the most consistent results.
- Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: For both the cake batter and the frosting, make sure your eggs, butter, cream cheese, and tahini are at room temperature. This allows them to emulsify better, creating a smoother batter and a creamier, lump-free frosting.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix only until just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough, dense cake.
- Freshly Grated Carrots: Opt for fresh carrots that you grate yourself. Pre-shredded carrots from the supermarket can be drier and coarser, impacting the cake’s moisture content. The finer the shred, the more evenly they’ll distribute and soften into the cake.
- Premium Tahini: The flavor of your tahini will shine through, so invest in a high-quality, creamy tahini. A good tahini will be smooth and have a pleasant, nutty flavor without being overly bitter.
- Cool Completely: Resist the urge to frost a warm cake! A warm cake will melt your beautiful cream cheese frosting, leading to a runny mess. Allow the cake to cool entirely on a wire rack before applying any frosting.
- Patience with Frosting Flavors: As mentioned, the tahini cream cheese frosting develops its best flavor after a few hours of chilling. If you’re tasting it straight off the mixer and aren’t totally convinced, trust the process and let it rest.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
This Tahini Carrot Cake is incredibly versatile and delicious, whether served chilled or at room temperature. Here are some recommendations:
- Serving: For the most pronounced flavors and a perfectly set frosting, serve the cake after it has had at least an hour to chill in the refrigerator. If you prefer a softer frosting and a slightly more tender cake, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. A sprinkle of chopped walnuts or a light dusting of cinnamon can add a lovely finishing touch.
- Storage: Due to the cream cheese frosting, this cake must be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze unfrosted cake layers, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and then foil, for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before frosting. Frosted slices can also be frozen, though the texture of the frosting might change slightly upon thawing. Freeze individual slices on a baking sheet until firm, then wrap tightly and store in an airtight container.
Creative Variations to Explore
While this Tahini Carrot Cake recipe is wonderful as is, feel free to experiment with these delightful variations:
- Add Citrus Zest: A teaspoon of orange or lemon zest in the cake batter can brighten the flavors and perfectly complement both the carrots and the tahini.
- Different Nuts: If walnuts aren’t your favorite, pecans or even finely chopped pistachios could make excellent substitutes, adding a different nuance to the texture and flavor.
- Spice Adjustments: Feel free to adjust the spice levels to your preference. A tiny pinch of ground nutmeg or ginger could also be added for extra warmth.
- Raisins or Dried Fruit: For those who truly miss the classic additions, a small amount (e.g., ¼ cup) of golden raisins or finely diced dried apricots can be folded into the batter.
- Gluten-Free Option: With the right blend of gluten-free flours, this recipe could likely be adapted for a gluten-free diet. Look for a gluten-free all-purpose blend that works well in baking.
This Tahini Carrot Cake is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience that marries familiar comfort with an exciting, gourmet twist. The unique depth of tahini transforms this classic into something truly special, making it a perfect treat for any occasion, from a casual family gathering to an elegant dinner party. We encourage you to try this recipe and discover your new favorite carrot cake. Happy baking!