Jamaican Carrot Cake Recipe: Moist, Spiced, and Bursting with Flavor
Carrot cake is a timeless dessert, but the Jamaican version Recipe brings a vibrant twist with bold spices, tropical flavors, and a moist, tender crumb. Infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, and often enriched with raisins, coconut, or pineapple, Jamaican carrot cake is more than just a sweet treat—it’s a celebration of flavor and culture.
Every bite delivers a perfect balance of warmth from the spices, natural sweetness from the carrots, and a subtle tropical undertone from ingredients like coconut or rum-soaked raisins. Whether you’re baking for family gatherings, birthdays, or special occasions, this cake is a showstopper. Its rich aroma fills the kitchen and invites everyone to savor the experience of homemade indulgence.
Ingredients Needed
| Ingredient | Quantity | Approx. Calories |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 2 ½ cups (300 g) | 1,090 kcal |
| Baking soda | 1 tsp | 0 kcal |
| Salt | ½ tsp | 0 kcal |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 ½ tsp | 12 kcal |
| Ground nutmeg | ½ tsp | 6 kcal |
| Ground allspice | ½ tsp | 6 kcal |
| Brown sugar | 1 ½ cups (300 g) | 1,140 kcal |
| Vegetable oil | 1 cup (240 ml) | 1,920 kcal |
| Large eggs | 4 | 280 kcal |
| Vanilla extract | 2 tsp | 24 kcal |
| Grated carrots | 3 cups (330 g) | 135 kcal |
| Crushed pineapple (drained) | ½ cup (120 g) | 60 kcal |
| Raisins | ½ cup (75 g) | 225 kcal |
| Shredded coconut | ½ cup (45 g) | 160 kcal |
| Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) | ½ cup (60 g) | 400 kcal |
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or two 9-inch round pans.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
- Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, beat together brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Incorporate dry into wet: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Fold in carrots and other add-ins: Gently fold in grated carrots, drained pineapple, raisins, coconut, and nuts (if using).
- Pour batter into prepared pan(s) and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 40–50 minutes for a 9×13 pan (25–30 minutes for 9-inch rounds), or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Tips for Customizing the Recipe
- Tropical Twist: Add a tablespoon of rum or rum extract for authentic Jamaican flavor.
- Nuts & Seeds: Swap walnuts for pecans or add sunflower seeds for texture.
- Healthier Version: Replace half the oil with unsweetened applesauce for a lighter cake.
- Frosting Options: Cream cheese frosting is classic, but a coconut glaze or light whipped cream works beautifully.
- Make it Mini: Bake as cupcakes for portion control or gifting.
Nutritional Information (Approx. per slice, based on 12 slices)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 420 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 60 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Sugar | 35 g |
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a slice of cream cheese frosted Jamaican carrot cake and a cup of coffee or tea.
- Garnish with toasted coconut flakes, chopped nuts, or a dusting of cinnamon.
- Perfect for breakfast treats, dessert tables, or holiday celebrations.
- Pair with fresh tropical fruit like mango or pineapple for an added Caribbean flair.
Jamaican Carrot Cake Recipe: Moist, Spiced, and Bursting with Flavor
12 slices
servings20
minutes40
minutes420
kcalIngredients
IngredienttQuantity
All-purpose flourt2 ½ cups (300 g)
Baking sodat1 tsp
Saltt½ tsp
Ground cinnamont1 ½ tsp
Ground nutmegt½ tsp
Ground allspicet½ tsp
Brown sugart1 ½ cups (300 g)
Vegetable oilt1 cup (240 ml)
Large eggst4
Vanilla extractt2 tsp
Grated carrotst3 cups (330 g)
Crushed pineapple (drained)t½ cup (120 g)
Raisinst½ cup (75 g)
Shredded coconutt½ cup (45 g)
Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)t½ cup (60 g)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan or two 9-inch round pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
- In another bowl, beat together brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Gradually combine dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in grated carrots, pineapple, raisins, coconut, and nuts.
- Pour batter into prepared pan(s) and smooth the top.
- Bake 40–50 minutes for a 9×13 pan (25–30 minutes for 9-inch rounds), or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Recipe Video
Notes
- For extra moisture and tropical flavor, add 1 tablespoon of rum or rum extract to the batter.
Cream cheese frosting is the classic choice, but coconut glaze or whipped cream can also be used for a lighter topping.
FAQs
1. Can I make Jamaican carrot cake ahead of time?
Yes! This cake tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
2. Can I freeze Jamaican carrot cake?
Absolutely. Wrap the cooled, unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before frosting.
3. What makes Jamaican carrot cake different from regular carrot cake?
Jamaican carrot cake incorporates warm spices like allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon, and often includes tropical flavors such as pineapple, coconut, or rum-soaked raisins, giving it a unique, island-inspired taste.
4. Can I substitute the oil with butter or applesauce?
Yes. You can replace vegetable oil with melted butter for richer flavor or use half oil and half unsweetened applesauce for a lighter, slightly healthier version.
5. What frosting works best with Jamaican carrot cake?
Cream cheese frosting is traditional and balances the spiced cake perfectly. You can also try coconut glaze, whipped cream, or a light drizzle of rum-infused icing for a tropical twist.
Conclusion
Jamaican carrot cake is a dessert that delights the senses and evokes warmth, celebration, and culture. Moist, spiced, and enriched with tropical ingredients, this cake stands out from traditional carrot cakes. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, a birthday, or a festive holiday, it’s a dessert that will be remembered long after the last bite. Easy to make and endlessly customizable, Jamaican carrot cake is a sweet way to bring a taste of the islands into your home.
