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J. Alexander's Carrot Cake Recipe

Make our J. Alexander's Carrot Cake Secret Recipe at home tonight for your family. Our Secret Restaurant Recipe tastes just like J. Alexander's.
Prep Time1 hour
Active Time1 hour
Total Time2 hours
Course: Dessert, Party Recipe
Keyword: J. Alexander's

Ingredients

  • Cake
  • 1/2 cup Golden Raisins
  • 3/4 cup boiling Water
  • 2 1/2 cups All-purpose Flour
  • 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground Cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 1/4 cups Canola or Vegetable Oil
  • 2 1/4 cups granulated Sugar
  • 4 large Eggs
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed Lemon Juice
  • 1 tablespoon Orange Extract
  • 1 1/2 cups grated Carrots
  • 3/4 cup chopped Walnuts
  • 1/2 cup canned Pineapple Tidbits well-drained
  • Glaze
  • One 8-ounce package Cream Cheese softened
  • 1 tablespoon Butter softened
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed Lemon Juice
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated Orange Rind
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated Lemon Rind
  • 1 1/2 cups sifted Powdered Sugar

Instructions

  • Pour boiling water over raisins to cover in small bowl and let set for 20 minutes, drain thoroughly and set raisins aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Grease a 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the oil, sugar and eggs with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until well combined. Add vanilla, lemon juice and orange extract, mixing well. Stir in the flour mixture until just mixed. Fold in the carrots, walnuts, pineapple and the plumped raisins, combining well.
  • Spoon batter into prepared pan.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 35 - 40 minutes or until tested done when gently pressed in center and cake springs back. Cake will be dense.
  • Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes; turn out on wire rack. Transfer to serving platter or board. Serve warm or cool completely.
  • For the glaze, combine cream cheese and butter in a medium mixing bowl; beat with a rubber spatula. Stir in the lemon juice, vanilla, orange and lemon rind, then add powdered sugar. Beat until smooth.
  • Drizzle glaze over warm pieces as they are cut, or spread over cooled cake and allow to set before serving, as desired.
This cake freezes very well.

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