Carrot Cake Recipes with Jam

 Carrot Cake Recipes with Jam

Carrot cake is a timeless dessert, beloved for its moist texture, rich spices, and the natural sweetness of carrots. While traditional recipes often feature cream cheese frosting, incorporating jam adds an exciting twist. The fruity flavors complement the spiced cake beautifully, enhancing both taste and texture. Whether you prefer a classic layered cake, a simple loaf, or muffins, these three carrot cake recipes with jam will delight your taste buds.  

## **1. Classic Layered Carrot Cake with Apricot Jam**  

This version of carrot cake is soft, flavorful, and features a luscious apricot jam filling between layers. The jam adds a slight tangy sweetness that pairs beautifully with the warm spices in the cake.  

### **Ingredients**  

#### *For the Cake:*  

- 2 cups all-purpose flour  

- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder  

- 1 teaspoon baking soda  

- 1 teaspoon cinnamon  

- ½ teaspoon nutmeg  

- ½ teaspoon salt  

- ¾ cup vegetable oil  

- 1 cup granulated sugar  

- ½ cup brown sugar  

- 3 large eggs  

- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract  

- 2 cups grated carrots  

- ½ cup crushed pineapple (drained)  

- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)  

#### *For the Filling & Frosting:*  

- ½ cup apricot jam  

- 8 oz cream cheese, softened  

- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened  

- 2 cups powdered sugar  

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract  

### **Instructions**  

1. **Preheat oven** to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans.  

2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.  

3. In another bowl, beat the oil, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until well combined.  

4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.  

5. Fold in the grated carrots, pineapple, and walnuts.  

6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  

7. Let the cakes cool completely before assembling.  

8. For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until creamy.  

9. Spread apricot jam over one cake layer, then top with a layer of frosting. Place the second cake layer on top and cover the entire cake with frosting.  

10. Chill for 30 minutes before serving for the best texture.  

## **2. Spiced Carrot Cake Loaf with Raspberry Jam Swirl**  

This easy-to-make loaf features a delightful swirl of raspberry jam running through the center, adding a burst of fruity flavor in every slice.  

### **Ingredients**  

- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour  

- 1 teaspoon baking powder  

- ½ teaspoon baking soda  

- 1 teaspoon cinnamon  

- ½ teaspoon ginger  

- ¼ teaspoon cloves  

- ½ teaspoon salt  

- ½ cup vegetable oil  

- ¾ cup brown sugar  

- 2 eggs  

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract  

- 1 ½ cups grated carrots  

- ½ cup buttermilk  

- ⅓ cup raspberry jam  

### **Instructions**  

1. **Preheat oven** to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.  

2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt.  

3. In another bowl, mix the oil, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.  

4. Gradually add the dry ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, until fully incorporated.  

5. Fold in the grated carrots.  

6. Pour half of the batter into the loaf pan. Spoon small dollops of raspberry jam over it, then swirl with a knife. Repeat with the remaining batter and jam.  

7. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  

8. Let cool before slicing. Serve as is or with a light dusting of powdered sugar.  

## **3. Carrot Cake Muffins with Orange Marmalade Glaze**  

For a portable, grab-and-go option, these carrot cake muffins are perfect. They’re moist, fluffy, and topped with a glossy orange marmalade glaze for extra flavor.  

### **Ingredients**  

#### *For the Muffins:*  

- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour  

- 1 teaspoon baking powder  

- ½ teaspoon baking soda  

- 1 teaspoon cinnamon  

- ½ teaspoon nutmeg  

- ½ teaspoon salt  

- ½ cup vegetable oil  

- ½ cup brown sugar  

- 2 eggs  

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract  

- 1 ½ cups grated carrots  

- ½ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream  

- ½ cup chopped pecans (optional)  

#### *For the Glaze:*  

- ¼ cup orange marmalade  

- 1 tablespoon lemon juice  

- ½ cup powdered sugar  

### **Instructions**  

1. **Preheat oven** to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners.  

2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.  

3. In another bowl, whisk the oil, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in the grated carrots and Greek yogurt.  

4. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Stir in the pecans, if using.  

5. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full.  

6. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  

7. While the muffins cool, prepare the glaze by whisking together the orange marmalade, lemon juice, and powdered sugar until smooth.  

8. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled muffins and let it set before serving.  

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## **Tips for the Best Carrot Cake with Jam**  

1. **Use Fresh Carrots** – Always grate fresh carrots instead of using pre-shredded ones from the store. They provide more moisture and flavor.  

2. **Room Temperature Ingredients** – Eggs, butter, and yogurt should be at room temperature to ensure a smooth batter.  

3. **Don’t Overmix** – Overmixing can lead to dense cakes. Stir until just combined for a tender texture.  

4. **Choose the Right Jam** – Apricot, raspberry, and orange marmalade work beautifully with carrot cake, but you can also experiment with strawberry, fig, or blackberry jam.  

5. **Let Cakes Cool Completely Before Assembling** – Warm cakes can cause jam and frosting to slide off. Allow cakes to cool to room temperature for the best results.  

6. **Enhance the Flavor** – A touch of citrus zest (orange or lemon) in the batter can brighten up the flavors.  

These three carrot cake recipes with jam offer something for everyone, whether you prefer a classic layered cake, an easy-to-slice loaf, or individual muffins. The jam enhances the natural sweetness of the carrots while adding a unique depth of flavor. 

Further Reading 

Cubed Steak Recipes 

https://www.amazon.com/Cubed-Steak-Recipes-Montego-Publishing-ebook/dp/B0CXJF4R1R/

Cornbread Recipes 

https://www.amazon.com/Yeast-Recipes-Cornbread-Boxed-Sets-ebook/dp/B0D4WPN9P9/