Carrot cake with cardamom and orange buttercream

Enjoy a classic carrot cake with orange frosting

You can never go wrong with a classic, and this lavish carrot cake is no exception. Indulge in the sweetness of carrots, the warm spice of cinnamon and nutmeg, and the zestiness of orange buttercream frosting. The batter contains lightly roasted pistachios to add crunch and flavour, and the top buttercream layer is sprinkled with bright green pistachios to take the cake from simple to glorious.

Discover the delicious orange and cardamom buttercream frosting

With Lurpak® Plant Based in hand, you can make the most delicious buttercream frosting. The orange and cardamom flavour is a showstopper that takes the carrot cake to new heights. It gives it a zesty kick that complements the sweetness from the icing sugar and Lurpak® Plant Based, and it makes it look beautiful and inviting.

Try other sweet recipes with Lurpak® Plant Based. We have a classic apple and blackberry pie served with vanilla ice cream and a moist banana walnut bread. For a not-so-sweet but still fruity recipe, try our breakfast muffins with an oat crumble topping.

The beautiful combination of carrot cake and warm spices

Greatness comes with warm, cosy flavours. The aromatic notes of nutmeg and cinnamon are perfect against the subtle sweetness of grated carrots, adding depth and bringing a spiced warmth that makes each bite call out for more. Pistachios, both in the cake and scattered generously on top, add a crunchy contrast to the tender cake crumb, making every mouthful a textural delight.

The buttercream frosting with cardamom adds to the spiced flavour. This fragrant spice, combined with the zesty brightness of orange, creates a harmonious balance with a slight exoticness that puts a spin on the classic carrot cake.

Experiment with the ingredients

Carrot is not the only vegetable used in baking, and this spiced carrot cake with orange frosting is perfect for adding courgette, too. Courgette adds moisture and a lovely green colour, and its flavour is ideal for mixing with carrots. Substitute some of the carrots for grated courgette, but be careful not to add too much as it contains quite a lot of liquid. It may affect the baking time, too, so be sure to check before taking it out of the oven.

You can also add other warm spices to give it even more of a kick to complement the orange and cardamom buttercream. For example, add ground ginger, ground cloves, and a pinch of white pepper to the batter, making the carrot cake burst with spiced flavours. When designing your carrot cake with orange frosting, the sky is the limit. Use a piping bag to pipe simple or intricate patterns. Fill your piping bag two-thirds, twisting the end of the bag with one hand while guiding the other end with the other hand. When you are ready to apply the buttercream, squeeze the twisted end of the bag, allowing the cream to fall naturally.