The Magical Brazilian Carrot Cake Recipe That Wows Everyone

Biting into a slice of Brazilian carrot cake that surprises you with its unique twist on a classic favorite.

Nobody expects this vibrant orange dessert to be so incredibly moist and rich.

My grandmother first shared this recipe during a sunny afternoon in rio de janeiro, and I’ve been obsessed ever since.

Carrots blend seamlessly with simple pantry ingredients, creating a cake that feels both familiar and exotic.

The chocolate drizzle adds a decadent touch that transforms an ordinary treat into something extraordinary.

Each forkful promises a delightful balance of sweetness and texture that will make you want to serve this at every gathering.

Grab your apron and let’s make magic happen in the kitchen today!

What You’ll Need For Brazilian Carrot Cake

• Carrots: Sweet and moist vegetable that provides natural sweetness and moisture to the cake.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps create structure and richness in the cake.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures a tender and soft cake texture with added moisture.
• Flour: Provides the base structure and stability for the cake.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with caramelization during baking.
• Baking Powder: Leavening agent that helps the cake rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Sugar: Creates a sweet and glossy glaze coating.
• Milk: Helps create smooth and pourable consistency.
• Cocoa Powder: Provides rich chocolate flavor and dark color.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, shiny glaze.

• None mentioned in the recipe.

Steps To Make Brazilian Carrot Cake Easily

Step 1: Prepare Baking Environment

Warm up your oven to 350F (180C). Coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter and flour, ensuring every corner is well-covered to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Carrot Liquid Base

• Fresh carrots
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil

Blend until the mixture transforms into a silky, smooth liquid with no chunky carrot bits.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt

Use a whisk to eliminate any potential lumps and create a uniform dry mixture.

Step 4: Merge Wet and Dry Components

Pour the carrot liquid into the dry ingredient bowl. Gently fold the mixture with a rubber spatula, swirling and turning until everything blends seamlessly. Stop mixing as soon as no flour streaks remain – overmixing can make the cake tough.

Step 5: Bake the Cake

Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean. Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Step 6: Craft Chocolate Glaze

• Sugar
• Milk
• Cocoa powder
• Butter

Heat the mixture over medium flame, stirring constantly. Watch for bubbling and slight thickening (about 3-4 minutes). Remove from heat and let it sit for 2 minutes to cool slightly.

Step 7: Decorate with Glaze

Drizzle the warm chocolate glaze over the completely cooled cake. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, creating a glossy chocolate layer that will make everyone’s mouth water.

Serve and enjoy your delightful Brazilian Carrot Cake!

Tips For Baking Brazilian Carrot Cake Just Right

• Boost Carrot Smoothness: Grate carrots finely or use a food processor for an ultra-smooth texture that blends perfectly into the cake batter.
• Prevent Dry Cake: Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the cake moist and tender, stopping when ingredients are just combined.
• Glaze Perfection Trick: Let the chocolate glaze cool slightly before pouring to achieve a glossy, even coating that sets beautifully on the cake surface.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap milk with coconut milk or almond milk in the glaze, and use vegetable oil instead of butter for a vegan-friendly version.
• Storage Wisdom: Keep the cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness, bringing to room temperature before serving.

How To Store Brazilian Carrot Cake And Keep It Soft

• Refrigerate: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
• Freeze: Slice the cake before freezing, then wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for long-term storage.
• Thaw: Remove frozen cake slices from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours. Alternatively, gently reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore moisture and softness.
• Refresh: If the cake seems dry, brush a light layer of simple syrup or warm the slice briefly to revive its texture and enhance its delicious flavor.

What Goes Great With Brazilian Carrot Cake

• Brew Brazilian Coffee Companion: Pair this rich carrot cake with a smooth, dark Brazilian espresso or cafezinho to complement its deep chocolate glaze and enhance the cake's sweet, earthy flavors.
• Creamy Contrast Delight: Serve alongside a dollop of fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream to balance the cake's dense texture and provide a cool, silky counterpoint to the warm chocolate glaze.
• Nutty Crunch Topping: Sprinkle toasted Brazil nuts or crushed almonds over the cake to add a delightful crunch and nutty depth that harmonizes with the cake's soft carrot base and chocolatey finish.
• Tropical Fruit Freshness: Accompany the cake with a small side of passion fruit or mango coulis to introduce a bright, tangy element that cuts through the cake's richness and adds a quintessential Brazilian touch.

New Versions Of Brazilian Carrot Cake To Try

• Coconut Crunch Variation: Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes over the chocolate glaze for added texture and tropical flavor. Mix 1/2 cup shredded coconut into the cake batter for extra richness.
• Nutty Brazilian Classic: Fold chopped Brazil nuts or almonds into the cake batter before baking. Drizzle the chocolate glaze with a handful of crushed nuts on top for a crunchy, nutty finish.
• Spiced Caramel Remix: Add ground cinnamon and a pinch of ground cloves to the dry ingredients for warm, aromatic notes. Replace the chocolate glaze with a homemade caramel sauce for a rich, sweet alternative.
• Orange Zest Celebration: Incorporate fresh orange zest into the cake batter for a bright, citrusy undertone. Garnish the cake with candied orange peel or a light orange-infused glaze to complement the carrot base.

Questions About Brazilian Carrot Cake Answered

• Why is Brazilian carrot cake different from traditional carrot cake?

Brazilian carrot cake is uniquely blended with carrots directly into the batter, creating a smoother texture and more intense carrot flavor compared to American-style carrot cakes that typically have grated carrots and added spices.

• Can I make this cake without a blender?

While a blender provides the smoothest texture, you can use a food processor or finely grate carrots and mix thoroughly with eggs and oil using a whisk. The key is achieving a smooth, creamy carrot mixture.

• Is the chocolate glaze mandatory for this recipe?

The chocolate glaze is traditional in Brazilian carrot cake and adds a delicious richness, but you can skip it if you prefer. Alternatively, you could use a simple powdered sugar glaze or serve the cake plain.

• What makes this cake so moist?

The combination of blended carrots, vegetable oil, and eggs creates an incredibly moist cake. The carrots provide natural moisture and help keep the cake soft and tender, making it different from drier cake recipes.

Why Brazilian Carrot Cake Is Something Special

• Simplify Baking Process: This Brazilian carrot cake recipe offers an incredibly easy method by blending wet ingredients first, which creates a smooth, uniform batter without complicated mixing techniques.
• Delightful Texture Contrast: The moist carrot cake paired with rich chocolate glaze delivers an amazing sensory experience with soft cake layers and glossy, decadent chocolate topping that melts in your mouth.
• Quick Family-Friendly Dessert: Perfect for busy households, this cake takes less than an hour to prepare and bake, making it an ideal treat for weekend gatherings or unexpected sweet cravings that everyone will love.
• Traditional Brazilian Twist: The recipe offers a classic Brazilian approach to carrot cake, featuring a unique chocolate glaze that sets it apart from standard American-style carrot cakes, providing an exciting culinary adventure.

Brazilian Carrot Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy Brazilian Carrot Cake brings sunshine from São Paulo kitchens straight to your plate. Rich cocoa glaze and unique Brazilian charm make this dessert a delightful journey through sweet culinary traditions you’ll savor with pure joy.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Cake Ingredients:

• 3 large eggs
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped (250 g or 2 cups)
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 1 ½ cups (300 grams) granulated sugar

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 pinch of salt

Chocolate Glaze Ingredients:

• ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) milk
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the baking vessel by coating it with a thin layer of oil and dusting it with flour, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking. Position the oven rack in the center and heat to 180C (350F).
2. Transform carrots into a silky puree by placing them in a blender alongside eggs and vegetable oil. Pulse until the mixture achieves a uniform, vibrant orange consistency with no visible carrot chunks.
3. Sift together the dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a light and airy base for the cake. Whisk gently to distribute the baking powder and salt evenly throughout the flour and sugar.
4. Gently cascade the carrot mixture into the dry ingredient landscape, using a flexible spatula to merge the components. Fold with deliberate, minimal strokes until the batter appears homogeneous, taking care not to overwork the mixture.
5. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula to create an even layer. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 35-40 minutes, monitoring for a golden exterior and checking doneness with a slender skewer.
6. Allow the cake to rest within the pan for 10 minutes, creating a gentle cooling environment. Carefully invert the cake onto a wire rack, permitting complete cooling and preventing moisture accumulation.
7. Craft the chocolate glaze by combining sugar, milk, cocoa powder, and butter in a small saucepan. Maintain constant stirring over medium heat, watching for a smooth, glossy texture that signals readiness.
8. Once the cake has cooled and the glaze has slightly thickened, artfully drizzle the chocolate mixture over the cake’s surface. Use a spatula to guide the glaze, ensuring an even, tantalizing coverage that cascades down the sides.

Notes

• Opt for organic carrots to enhance the natural sweetness and ensure a more vibrant orange color in your cake.
• Measure ingredients precisely for consistent texture, especially when blending carrots to achieve a smooth, creamy base.
• Consider using coconut oil instead of vegetable oil for a richer, more complex flavor profile that complements the carrots.
• For a gluten-free version, swap wheat flour with almond flour or a certified gluten-free flour blend to maintain the cake’s soft, moist texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Brazilian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 302
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 110 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg