Decadent Carrot Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze: A Perfect Sweet Treat

Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or a bundt pan to prevent the cake from sticking.

Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Set aside.

Cream the Butter and Sugars:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.

Add the Eggs and Vanilla:
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined.

Incorporate the Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Add the Carrots and Nuts (Optional):
Fold in the grated carrots and chopped walnuts or pecans (if using). The batter will be thick and packed with carrots.

Bake the Cake:
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If using a bundt pan, the baking time may vary slightly, so start checking around 50 minutes.

Cool the Cake:
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare the Cream Cheese Glaze:
While the cake is cooling, prepare the glaze. Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, and beat until fluffy. Gradually add the milk, a tablespoon at a time, until the glaze reaches a pourable consistency.

Glaze the Cake:
Once the cake has cooled completely, drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the top, letting it flow down the sides. If desired, garnish with extra chopped walnuts or shredded coconut.

Serve and Enjoy:
Slice and serve this decadent carrot pound cake with a cup of tea or coffee for an extra indulgent treat!

Serving and Storage Tips: