Let me share something special with you – a recipe that’s been warming hearts in my family for generations. This isn’t just any carrot cake; it’s an Amish Friendship Carrot Cake that comes with a beautiful tradition of sharing and caring. Every time I make this cake, my kitchen fills with the most incredible aroma of spices, fresh carrots, and sweet coconut that takes me right back to my grandmother’s farmhouse kitchen.
What makes this cake truly unique is its amazing texture – incredibly moist and tender, thanks to the special sourdough starter that’s been passed down through countless kitchens. The combination of fresh carrots, coconut, and warm spices creates something truly magical that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Gathering Your Ingredients
Let me share the treasured list of ingredients that make this cake so special. I’ve broken them down into simple categories to make your preparation easier.
For Your Perfect Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (I use unbleached for best results)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda (always check it’s fresh!)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of my favorite cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (freshly grated if possible)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs (room temperature works best)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar (I prefer dark for richer flavor)
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups freshly grated carrots
- 1 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened works best)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (plus extra for topping)
For the Dreamy Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened completely)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (also softened)
- 4 cups powdered sugar (sifted for smoothness)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Chopped pecans for garnish (optional, but recommended!)
I always make sure all my ingredients are at room temperature before starting – it makes such a difference in how the cake turns out. Trust me, this small detail is worth the extra planning!
Essential Kitchen Tools: Setting Up for Success
Before we dive into the baking magic, let me walk you through the kitchen tools you’ll need. Having everything ready makes this recipe a joy to create, and I’ll share why each tool is important based on my years of experience making this family favorite.
Your Baking Toolkit
As someone who’s made this cake countless times, I can tell you that having the right tools ready makes all the difference. Here’s everything you’ll need to create this wonderful Amish Friendship Carrot Cake:
Must-Have Mixing Tools
- A set of mixing bowls (I use three different sizes for perfect organization)
- Your trusty whisk or electric mixer (both work great!)
- A sturdy rubber spatula (perfect for scraping every bit of goodness)
- A sharp grater for those fresh carrots
- Measuring cups and spoons (accuracy matters!)
Baking Essentials
- A 9-inch cake pan (make sure it’s at least 2 inches deep)
- A reliable cooling rack (crucial for perfect texture)
- An offset spatula (makes frosting so much easier)
- Good quality parchment paper
- Your oven (of course!)
Helpful Extras
- A food processor if you have one (makes grating carrots a breeze)
- A flour sifter (for the smoothest texture)
- A cake stand or serving plate
- Storage containers for leftovers (though you rarely have any!)
Having these tools ready before you start will make your baking experience so much more enjoyable. Trust me, there’s nothing worse than having to stop mid-recipe to hunt down a missing tool! I always lay everything out on my counter before I begin – it’s a habit my grandmother taught me that I’ve never forgotten.
Creating Kitchen Magic: The Starter and Baking Process
The Heart of Your Cake: Friendship Starter
Let me share the secret behind what makes this cake so special – our friendship starter. This living ingredient adds incredible flavor and brings the true Amish baking tradition to life.
Day One – Beginning Your Journey:
Mix together in a spacious glass or plastic bowl:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup warm milk
Days Two Through Five:
Just give your mixture a gentle stir each day. You’ll start to see little bubbles forming – that’s the magic happening!
Day Six – Feeding Time:
Add another round of:
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup milk
Days Seven Through Nine:
Back to daily stirring. The aroma will start getting wonderfully sweet and tangy.
Day Ten – Sharing the Love:
Add one final round of flour, sugar, and milk. Now divide your starter into five portions. Keep one for your cake and share four with friends!
Let’s Start Baking
Now that your starter is ready, let’s create this amazing cake together.
First things first:
- Turn your oven to 325°F
- Get your pans ready with butter and flour
- Bring all ingredients to room temperature
Making the perfect batter:
- Combine your dry ingredients
- Beat those eggs until they’re fluffy
- Mix in your sugars and oil
- Fold in those freshly grated carrots
Adding extra goodness:
- Stir in your coconut
- Add those crunchy walnuts
- Mix until everything’s just combined
Time for baking:
- Pour your batter evenly into pans
- Smooth the top gently
- Pop it in the oven for about an hour
- Test with a toothpick for doneness
The waiting game:
- Let cool in pans for 10 minutes
- Transfer to cooling rack
- Wait until completely cool before frosting
Remember, patience is key here! Each step builds on the last to create something truly special. I always tell people that this cake is worth every minute of waiting – it’s what makes it so incredibly moist and flavorful!
Bringing It All Together: Assembly and Decoration
The Art of Cake Assembly
After your cakes have cooled completely, it’s time for the most exciting part – putting everything together! This is where your creation really comes to life. Let me walk you through the process that I’ve perfected over years of making this special cake.
Creating the Perfect Layers
- Place your first cake layer on a sturdy serving plate
- Check that it’s centered and level
- Prepare your frosting tools and spatulas
- Have your decorative elements ready
- Keep a clean, damp cloth nearby for quick cleanup
Making the Magic Happen
- Start with the first layer:
- Add a generous amount of frosting to the center
- Spread it evenly toward the edges
- Place second layer carefully on top
- Press down very gently to secure
The Final Touches
- Cover the entire cake with remaining frosting
- Create smooth sides with your spatula
- Make decorative swirls on top if desired
- Add chopped nuts around the edges
- Sprinkle additional nuts on top
- Stand back and admire your work!
Remember, there’s no need to rush this part. Take your time to make it look exactly how you want. Each swirl of frosting and sprinkle of nuts adds to the beauty of your finished cake.
Decorative Options
Now that your cake is assembled, let’s make it even more special. The best part about this recipe is how versatile it is when it comes to decoration. I’ve tried many different variations over the years, and here are some of my favorites ways to present this beloved cake.
For family gatherings, I keep it classic with a simple swirled top and a ring of chopped walnuts around the edge. When I’m making it for a special occasion, I might pipe rosettes around the top edge and dust them lightly with cinnamon. Sometimes, I’ll even add tiny carrot decorations made from frosting – they always make people smile!
The key is to let your creativity shine while keeping the traditional charm of this Amish favorite. Remember, this cake is about sharing love and friendship, so don’t worry too much about making it perfect. Each cake tells its own story, and that’s what makes it special.
Keeping Your Cake Fresh and Final Thoughts
Simple Storage Solutions
Let me share my tried-and-true methods for keeping your Amish Friendship Carrot Cake fresh and delicious. After all the love you’ve put into baking it, you’ll want to enjoy every slice at its best.
Counter Storage
Your freshly baked cake will stay perfectly delicious at room temperature for up to two days. Just make sure to keep it in an airtight container or cover it well with plastic wrap. I like to place it in a cool spot away from direct sunlight to maintain that perfect texture.
Refrigerator Tips
For longer storage, the refrigerator is your friend. Place your cake in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to a week. The cream cheese frosting actually benefits from being chilled, but remember to let slices come to room temperature before serving – about 20 minutes usually does the trick. This brings out all those wonderful flavors and returns the cake to its perfect texture.
Freezer Magic
Want to save some for later? This cake freezes beautifully! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then add a layer of aluminum foil for extra protection. In the freezer, it’ll keep its delicious taste for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, just move it to the refrigerator overnight to thaw gradually.
Parting Thoughts
Every time I bake this Amish Friendship Carrot Cake, I’m reminded of the beautiful tradition it represents. It’s more than just a recipe – it’s a way of connecting with others, sharing something made with love and care. The starter that gets passed from friend to friend carries with it the spirit of community that’s so central to Amish culture.
I remember the first time my grandmother taught me this recipe. She explained how each cake made from shared starter carries a bit of history with it, connecting kitchens and families across generations. Now, whenever I share a portion of starter with a friend, I’m passing along not just ingredients, but also this wonderful tradition of friendship and generosity.
This cake has been part of countless celebrations in my family – birthdays, holidays, and simple Sunday gatherings. Each time I make it, the kitchen fills with that familiar aroma of spices and carrots, and I’m transported back to those precious moments of learning and sharing in my grandmother’s kitchen.
I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen as it has to mine. Whether you’re baking it for a special occasion or simply to share with friends, remember that you’re now part of a beautiful tradition of friendship and community. Happy baking, and may your cake be filled with love and shared with those who make your life special!
PrintAmish Friendship Carrot Cake
A moist, spiced carrot cake made with Amish friendship starter that creates an incredibly tender crumb. This heritage-inspired cake combines the tradition of sharing sourdough starter with friends and the timeless appeal of homemade carrot cake.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-45 minutes
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 12–16 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Amish-Inspired American
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 cup Amish friendship bread starter (active)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups finely grated carrots (about 4–5 medium carrots)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
- 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1–2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream (if needed)
Instructions
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or one 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until well combined.
- Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, applesauce, vanilla extract, and Amish friendship starter until smooth and well incorporated.
- Create the Batter: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined. Fold in the grated carrots, nuts, and if using, the raisins and drained pineapple.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan(s). For round pans, bake for 30-35 minutes; for a 9×13 pan, bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Allow to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
- Make the Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until incorporated. Add the vanilla extract and salt, then beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, add milk or cream one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Frost the Cake: Once the cake is completely cool, spread the frosting over the top and sides. If using round pans, place one layer on a serving plate, spread with frosting, top with the second layer, and frost the top and sides. Garnish with additional chopped nuts if desired.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve slices with a cup of coffee or tea for an afternoon treat. For special occasions, garnish with tiny marzipan carrots or sprinkle with cinnamon. This cake also pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Notes
Pro Tips:
- The friendship starter adds a subtle tanginess that complements the sweetness of the cake. Make sure your starter is active and bubbly for the best results.
- For extra moist cake, you can substitute part or all of the oil with additional applesauce.
- Toast the nuts before adding them to the batter to enhance their flavor.
- If you don’t have a friendship starter, you can substitute with 1 cup of buttermilk mixed with 1/4 cup of plain yogurt, though the flavor will be slightly different.
- The cake actually tastes better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Overmixing the batter, which can result in a tough cake.
- Using cold ingredients, which don’t incorporate as well.
- Grating the carrots too coarsely, which can create a stringy texture.
- Frosting the cake before it’s completely cool, causing the frosting to melt.
- Not draining canned pineapple properly, which can make the cake too wet.
Storage Instructions:
Store the frosted cake in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 5 days. Let come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture. Unfrosted cake layers can be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 2 months.
About Amish Friendship Starter:
Amish friendship bread starter is a sourdough starter that is traditionally shared among friends. It’s typically maintained and “fed” with sugar, flour, and milk over a 10-day cycle, after which it’s used in baking and a portion is given to friends to continue the cycle.
Enjoy your Amish Friendship Carrot Cake!
