Carrot Cake Recipe

When it comes to carrot based desserts, carrot cake is not the first thing that comes to a Bengali mind. Gajor er Haluwa, or Gajar ka halwa, or Carrot Halwa is the dominant carrot based dessert in the subcontinent.

Cake itself is not native to Bengali or even Indian cuisine. The only type of cakes that have been a part of Bengali culinary arts are the different Pithas like Bhapa Pitha. Even so, those Pithas are not what you imagine when you think of a cake. But today’s homemade carrot cake recipe is a proper carrot based cake.

I mentioned that this simple carrot cake recipe by Moni Dadi is not a typical Bengali recipe, but this is certainly not the only exotic recipe she wrote down in her diary. And based on those dishes, I can certainly say that this is the best carrot cake recipe​ by a Bengali woman on the internet.

I have been going on and on about carrot cake not being a part of Bengali cuisine, but which country invented carrot cake? Most historians point to medieval England being the birthplace of delicious carrot cakes. Carrot cake likely evolved from medieval European carrot puddings, where carrots were used as a sweetener due to sugar’s high cost.

But Moni Dadi’s carrot cake recipe is certainly much different from the Medieval recipes. I expected a touch of Bengali style cooking in the recipe, or that it would be something similar to Gajar ka halwa. But it is a basic cake, which is still special when you consider when she wrote the recipe diary.

But Moni Dadi did let her creativity shine through her usage of the carrot cake ingredients. She used Mazola oil instead of butter, the much more common choice in traditional Bengali cooking, for a more moist texture.

Moni Dadi’s simple carrot cake recipe is perfect for your Easter banquet or spring picnic. The carrot cake ingredients are available all year around, but the best time to make carrot cake is when you can get your hands on fresh carrots.

Fresh, crisp carrots provide a natural sweetness and moisture that pre-packaged, older carrots simply can’t replicate. When you’re selecting carrots for your cake, look for firm, bright orange ones with smooth skin. Avoid any that are wilted, cracked, or have green spots.

You don’t need to break a sweat for the rest of the ingredients and use whichever brand you prefer. But we are linking the ones we recommend.

FAQs

Is carrot cake healthy?

Yes, you can consider carrot cake to be healthy since it has some nutrients from carrots. But it contains high amounts of sugar and oil.

Is carrot cake British?

Carrot cakes originate from England, according to some historians. But today it is a global phenomenon.