The Viral “Divorce Cake”: A Beloved Honey-Kissed Carrot Cake Recipe That Endures

Every now and then, a recipe captures the internet’s imagination, and when I stumbled upon the buzz surrounding the “Divorce Cake,” a unique carrot cake, I knew I had to try it. My love for carrot cake is undeniable, and this particular version, with its unexpected secret ingredient – honey – immediately piqued my interest. I literally paused everything to gather the necessary ingredients, and I’m incredibly glad I did. Honey, it turns out, is a revelation in carrot cake, adding a depth of flavor and a moistness that makes this recipe truly stand out.

This now-famous recipe originated from a Reddit post, where a user shared her mother’s cherished carrot cake. The story behind its evocative name is as heartwarming as the cake is delicious: her father, despite being divorced from her mother for two decades, would still request this specific carrot cake. That anecdote alone speaks volumes about its undeniable appeal! It quickly became a viral sensation, with countless Reddit users trying and raving about it. If you’re new to the world of “Divorce Cake,” prepare to be enchanted. After tasting it, I can perfectly understand why the Redditor’s father, and indeed, so many others, hold this honey-infused carrot cake in such high regard.

The Magic of Honey in Carrot Cake

As highlighted, the defining characteristic of this “Divorce Cake” is the generous use of honey as a primary sweetener. The moment you take a bite, you’ll notice a distinct, comforting aroma and taste reminiscent of a giant, perfectly baked Honey Maid graham cracker. Initially, as someone who appreciates honey but isn’t typically a “super fan” of it dominating flavors, I approached this aspect with a slight hesitation. However, reflecting on past successes like the exquisite Chocolate Honey Cake and delectable Honey Cookies, I should have had more faith in honey’s ability to shine without overwhelming. In this carrot cake, its flavor is truly special, lending a subtle yet complex sweetness and incredible moisture without ever becoming cloyingly strong.

The success of the “Divorce Cake” also lies in its perfectly balanced blend of classic carrot cake add-ins. Even if you’re not typically a fan of ingredients like coconut, pineapple, raisins, or walnuts individually, I strongly urge you to include them here. Each component plays a vital role in creating the cake’s unique texture and flavor profile. The pineapple adds a tangy brightness and additional moisture, while the coconut contributes a lovely chewiness and tropical hint. Raisins provide bursts of concentrated sweetness, and walnuts offer a delightful crunch, contrasting beautifully with the tender cake crumb. Together, these elements harmonize with the honey and carrots to form a sum that is far greater, and more delicious, than its individual parts.

Adapting the Divorce Carrot Cake for Any Occasion: Pan Sizes and Servings

One of the beauties of this Divorce Carrot Cake recipe is its adaptability. My initial foray into baking this viral sensation involved halving the recipe and using two 6-inch round cake pans. This yielded a perfectly sized, elegant smaller cake, ideal for a more intimate gathering or when you simply don’t need a large, multi-tiered dessert. The halved version baked beautifully, retaining all the moistness and flavor of the full recipe.

The complete recipe, as detailed in the recipe card below, is designed for two 8-inch round cake pans, which will produce a substantial and impressive two-layer cake perfect for celebrations or larger family meals. However, don’t feel limited to just 8-inch pans. For thinner, perhaps more delicate layers, you can easily use two 9-inch round cake pans. Alternatively, if you prefer a single-layer sheet cake that’s easier to transport and serve, a 9×13 inch baking pan will work wonderfully. When adjusting pan sizes, remember that baking times may vary slightly; thinner layers will bake faster, while a deeper 9×13 cake might require a few extra minutes. Always rely on a toothpick inserted into the center coming out clean to indicate doneness. This flexibility makes the Divorce Cake an excellent choice for any baker, regardless of their pan collection or the size of their guest list.

Divorce Cake Key Ingredient Notes: Tips for a Perfect Bake

Achieving the sublime flavor and texture of the Divorce Carrot Cake largely depends on understanding and preparing its key ingredients. Here are some detailed notes to guide you:

• Honey: The choice of honey significantly impacts the final flavor. While many types of honey offer distinct floral or earthy notes, for the “Divorce Cake,” a neutral, mild-flavored honey like clover honey is highly recommended. This allows the honey to contribute its signature sweetness and moistness without overpowering the other delicate flavors of the carrot cake. Stronger, more robust honeys, such as buckwheat or chestnut, might alter the balance too much, transforming the cake into something different, albeit still delicious. Opting for an inexpensive, widely available clover honey (like those found in bear-shaped containers) is perfect.
• Maple Syrup: This is an optional but highly recommended addition if you wish to subtly alter the honey’s dominant profile. I personally used 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, reducing the honey by an equivalent amount. Maple syrup introduces another layer of complex sweetness and a hint of earthy warmth that complements both the honey and the spices in the cake. However, if you prefer the pure, unadulterated honey flavor, feel free to use 100% honey as the recipe originally intended.
• Carrots: The texture of your grated carrots plays a crucial role in the cake’s final crumb. I opted to grate them by hand, resulting in very fine shreds, as I preferred to avoid cleaning my food processor. This fine grating ensures the carrots soften perfectly into the cake, distributing evenly and providing moisture without being overly chunky. If you use a food processor, aim for a fine grate and then consider a quick pulse or two to chop them slightly further, preventing long, stringy pieces that can detract from the cake’s smooth texture.
• Walnuts: Finely chopped walnuts are ideal for this recipe. I used my Nutribullet to achieve an almost ground consistency, which helps them blend seamlessly into the batter, distributing their nutty flavor and subtle crunch throughout. Toasting the walnuts beforehand is a step many skip but shouldn’t. Lightly toasting them in a dry pan or oven before chopping significantly enhances their flavor, bringing out a deeper, richer nuttiness that elevates the cake.
• Unsweetened Shredded Coconut: While the recipe calls for shredded coconut, I had unsweetened coconut flakes on hand. If using flakes, a quick grind in a food processor or Nutribullet will transform them into a more suitable shredded consistency. Unsweetened coconut is key here, as the cake is already sweet from the honey and pineapple; sweetened coconut would make it overly saccharine. I used approximately 50 grams for perfect balance.
• Raisins: Soaking raisins before adding them to cake batter is a fantastic trick, and it worked well here. I soaked mine for about an hour in the juice drained from the crushed pineapple. While not strictly a mandatory step, it’s believed to plump the raisins, making them juicier and preventing them from absorbing moisture from the cake batter during baking, which could potentially dry out the cake. Although this cake is inherently moist, it certainly doesn’t hurt to ensure every component contributes to that luscious texture. Plus, as some theories suggest, raisins possess a certain magic, so why not give them the best chance to shine?
• Pineapple: An 8 oz can of crushed pineapple is called for, and it’s crucial to drain it very, very well. Excess liquid will thin your batter too much, affecting the cake’s structure. The drained pineapple provides essential moisture and a bright, tangy counterpoint to the sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor profile without making the cake soggy.
• Cream Cheese & Butter (for Frosting): Achieving a perfectly smooth, lump-free cream cheese frosting is paramount for this cake. The key lies in ensuring both your cream cheese and butter are at absolute room temperature – not just slightly softened, but truly pliable. Impatience here often leads to frustratingly lumpy frosting, as cold dairy components resist blending uniformly. I can’t count the times I’ve rushed this step, only to regret it. If you find yourself in a genuine rush and possess good microwave skills, you can carefully soften them using a very low-power setting; however, exercise extreme caution to avoid melting, which can separate the fats and ruin the texture. A gentle, gradual approach yields the best results, ensuring a velvety, spreadable frosting that beautifully complements the moist cake.
• Powdered Sugar (for Frosting): The recipe calls for powdered sugar. While sifting is generally recommended to prevent lumps, I confess I forgot this step. Luckily, with thorough beating, all the lumps eventually dissolved, resulting in a smooth frosting. However, for guaranteed smoothness with less effort, sifting is still the best practice. Be prepared to add more powdered sugar than the initial cup; cream cheese frosting often requires extra to reach the desired consistency for spreading and piping.
• Lemon Juice (for Frosting): This is added to taste in the frosting. A splash of fresh lemon juice cuts through the sweetness and richness of the cream cheese and butter, adding a delightful tang that brightens the entire frosting. No need for exotic sources; just a fresh lemon will do the trick!

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Recipe

Divorce Carrot Cake

Anna

Adapted from Reddit, where a reader claims her dad asked her to make her mom’s carrot cake even though they’d been divorced for years.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Ingredients

 

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (270 grams)
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup oil
• ¾ cup honey (see note about adding maple syrup)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 can crushed pineapple, drained (8 oz/228 grams)
• 2 cups grated carrots, slightly heaping (220 grams)
• 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• ⅔ cup walnuts finely chopped
• ⅔ cup raisins

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 16 oz cream cheese softened (480 grams)
• ½ cup butter, salted or unsalted okay softened (114 grams)
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar plus more as needed (you WILL need more) sifted (120 grams)
• lemon juice to taste

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350 F.
• Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
• Stir the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon together in a medium bowl.
• Combine oil, honey, eggs and drained pineapple in a large bowl. If you want, you can use the juice from the drained pineapple to soak the raisins.
• Mix dry ingredients, plus carrots, coconut, walnuts and raisins together into the wet ingredients until well-combined.
• Pour into cake pans and bake for 45 minutes.

Cream Cheese Frosting

• Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature (not too cool) and slightly softened. Beat together the cream cheese, butter and sugar until smooth, then beat in the vanilla.
• Scrape down side of the bowl and continue beating, adding lemon juice to taste.

Notes

I use 8 tablespoons of honey and 4 tablespoons of maple syrup just to cut the honey flavor and make it more interesting. The original recipe calls for just honey.

Keyword Carrot Cake, Divorce

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The “Divorce Cake” truly lives up to its legendary status. It’s more than just a carrot cake; it’s a testament to the enduring power of a truly great recipe. With its moist, tender crumb, subtle honey sweetness, and delightful blend of textures from the pineapple, coconut, walnuts, and raisins, it creates an unforgettable dessert experience. The tangy cream cheese frosting provides the perfect counterpoint, making each slice a symphony of flavors. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply craving a comforting treat, this honey-infused carrot cake is guaranteed to become a new favorite in your repertoire. Give it a try – you won’t regret it!