I picked up a bunch of vibrant purple carrots at the farmers market on a total whim last Tuesday, wondering how I could turn them into something fun. Instead of roasting them, I decided to lean into my sweet tooth and bake something unexpected. The result was this rustic, naturally colorful cake that feels like a magic trick—turning veggies into a dessert that everyone fights over.
This purple cake is incredibly moist, thanks to the applesauce and grated carrots, and it’s spiced just right with cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s a simple, honest bake that brings a pop of color to the table without needing hours of decorating time. Whether you call it a twist on carrot cake or just a fun purple treat, it’s bound to become a fast favorite.
A Splash of Color for Your Kitchen
You are going to fall in love with how effortless this recipe feels. It captures that homemade comfort we all crave, but with a surprising visual twist that comes straight from nature.
- Natural Beauty: The stunning color comes primarily from purple carrots, making it a fun conversation starter.
- Super Moist Texture: The combination of applesauce, oil, and fresh veggies ensures every bite is soft and tender.
- Pantry Friendly: Aside from the carrots, you probably have every single ingredient in your kitchen right now.
- One-Bowl Feel: While we use a couple of bowls to prep, the mixing process is straightforward and forgiving—no stand mixer required.
Purple Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This vibrant purple cake offers a unique twist on the classic carrot cake, utilizing finely grated purple carrots for a stunning natural hue and earthy sweetness. Infused with warming spices and applesauce, it results in an incredibly moist and rustic dessert that is as beautiful as it is delicious.
Ingredients
- 9 oz purple carrots, finely grated
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup light vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Purple food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
- In a medium bowl, combine the finely grated purple carrots with the brown sugar, white sugar, and lemon zest; toss well and let the mixture sit for a few minutes to release the natural juices.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, applesauce, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients about 1/4 cup at a time, mixing until just combined and taking care not to overwork the batter.
- Gently fold in the carrot-sugar mixture and all accumulated juices, adding food coloring at this stage if a deeper purple is desired.
- Pour the batter into the prepared dish and bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Notes
To ensure the most vivid color, look for carrots that are purple all the way through to the core. If you find your batter looks a bit too orange, the optional drop of food coloring can help maintain that signature jewel tone. This cake stores beautifully at room temperature for up to three days when tightly covered, though the moisture from the carrots makes it even better on the second day.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Simple Ingredients, Honest Flavor
We keep things grounded here with ingredients you can pronounce and flavors that feel familiar. This recipe relies on staples to let the unique main ingredient shine.
- Purple Carrots: The star of the show. You’ll need about 9 ounces, finely grated. They bring moisture, sweetness, and that signature hue.
- Sugars: We use a mix of brown sugar for depth and moisture, and white sugar for sweetness.
- Spices: A warming blend of ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg pairs perfectly with the earthiness of the carrots.
- Lemon Zest: Just a teaspoon brightens the whole dish and highlights the natural flavors.
- Wet Ingredients: You’ll need eggs, unsweetened applesauce, light vegetable oil, and a splash of vanilla extract to bind everything together.
- Pantry Basics: Standard all-purpose flour and baking powder give the cake its structure and lift.
- Optional Color: If you want an even deeper shade, a drop of purple food coloring can help, but the carrots do a great job on their own.
How to Make It
Step 1: Prep Your Veggies
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish with a little butter. In a medium bowl, combine your finely grated purple carrots with the brown sugar, white sugar, and lemon zest. Toss them well to coat. Let this mixture sit for a few minutes—this helps draw out the natural juices, which keeps the cake incredibly moist.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. giving this a quick whisk ensures the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed, so you don’t get any surprise bites of plain flour.
Step 3: Whisk the Liquids
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, applesauce, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well-combined. This is the base of your batter.
Step 4: Combine and Bake
Add the flour mixture to your wet ingredients about 1/4 cup at a time, mixing until just combined—don’t overwork it! Gently fold in the carrot-sugar mixture, making sure to include all those accumulated juices. If you’re using food coloring, add it now. Pour the batter into your prepared dish and bake for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Meagan’s Baking Secrets
I want your cake to turn out perfectly on the first try, so here are a few little tricks I use in my own kitchen. Simplicity is key, but a few smart moves make all the difference.
- Grate Finely: Use the smallest holes on your box grater for the carrots. Finely grated carrots melt better into the batter, ensuring a smooth texture rather than a chunky veggie cake.
- Don’t Drain the Carrots: Unlike some zucchini recipes where you squeeze out liquid, we want all that juice! It adds flavor and essential moisture to the cake.
- Room Temperature Eggs: If you have time, let your eggs sit on the counter for 30 minutes. They incorporate more easily into the batter, giving you a better rise.
- Check for Doneness Early: Ovens vary, so start checking around the 40-minute mark. You want moist crumbs on the toothpick, not wet batter.
For more ideas on using fresh produce in your baking, check out our collection of fruit and garden recipes for inspiration.
Make It Yours
Baking is personal, so feel free to tweak this recipe to match your pantry or your cravings. Here are a few easy swaps to try.
- Add Some Crunch: Fold in a half-cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for a nice textural contrast against the soft cake.
- Sweet Add-ins: A handful of golden raisins or white chocolate chips adds pockets of sweetness that pair lovely with the spices.
- Frosting: While delicious plain, this cake is amazing with a tangy cream cheese frosting. If you’re looking for something totally different, like a chocolate-based purple treat, you might enjoy exploring a Purple Velvet Cake recipe from our friends online.
- Gluten-Free: Swap the all-purpose flour for a reliable 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The applesauce helps keep it from getting dry.
If you love simple twists on classic batters, browse our cute and quick bakes for more weekend projects.
Everyday Enjoyment
This cake is versatile enough for a Tuesday night dessert or a weekend brunch. Because it’s a sheet cake, it travels well and is easy to serve to a crowd.
- Simple dusting: A light dusting of powdered sugar is often all you need to finish it off.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: If you want to dress it up, swirl on your favorite cream cheese frosting. You can even tint the frosting purple to match!
- Tea Time: The spices make this the perfect companion for a hot cup of chai or coffee.
Looking for more crowd-pleasers? Our party cakes and events section has plenty of options for your next gathering.
The Sweet Spot
I hope this purple cake brings a little bit of color and joy to your kitchen. It’s proof that you don’t need complicated techniques to make something special—just simple ingredients and a little bit of curiosity. Whether you’re baking for a family dinner or just need a sweet slice for yourself, this recipe delivers honest flavor every time.
For more timeless recipes that never go out of style, visit our classic favorites. Happy baking!
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