Brazilian Carrot Cake Recipe

Brazilian Carrot Cake is a vibrant, fluffy delight that instantly brightens any table with its sunny color and irresistible chocolate brigadeiro topping. This isn’t your everyday carrot cake—it’s shockingly moist and tender, with the carrots seamlessly blended right into the batter for a smooth, gorgeous crumb. Topped generously with a glossy layer of chocolate brigadeiro, each bite balances sweet, earthy notes with chocolaty decadence. If you haven’t tried this beloved Brazilian treat yet, you’re about to discover why it’s an absolute favorite for birthdays, special occasions, or honestly, whenever a craving strikes!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Brazilian Carrot Cake recipe is wonderfully straightforward, with just a handful of pantry staples coming together for a cake that tastes—and looks—spectacular. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, from the fresh carrots that give color and sweetness, to the silky brigadeiro glaze for a signature finish.

• Carrots (300g): The star of the show, giving the cake its brilliant orange hue and natural sweetness when blended seamlessly into the batter.
• Granulated sugar (250g): Adds just the right amount of sweetness, ensuring a moist and tender crumb.
• Vegetable oil (250ml): Keeps the cake incredibly moist without overpowering the carrot flavor—skip butter here for authenticity.
• Eggs (4): Offer structure and richness, helping the cake to rise beautifully and stay soft.
• Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Enhances the overall flavor, tying together the carrots and sugar with a warm, fragrant note.
• Plain flour (250g): Provides the body that holds the whole cake together—sift it for a finer crumb.
• Baking powder (1 tablespoon): Gives the cake its lift and fluffiness, which is key to its signature light texture.
• Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and makes the other flavors pop.
• Condensed milk (1 can, 397g): The magic behind the brigadeiro, delivering creamy richness and sweetness to the chocolate topping.
• Dark chocolate (150g): Opt for good-quality chocolate for a brigadeiro that’s glossy and indulgent.
• Double cream (150ml): Gives the brigadeiro that luxurious, silky-smooth finish.
• Unsalted butter (50g): Adds depth and shine to the chocolate topping—don’t skip it!
• Salt (1/8 teaspoon): Just a tiny pinch brings out the deep chocolate flavor in the brigadeiro.

How to Make Brazilian Carrot Cake

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Begin by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F) for that perfect bake. Grease and line an 8-inch cake tin with parchment paper; this ensures your cake slides out effortlessly later, keeping that stunning orange color intact.

Step 2: Blend the Carrot Mixture

In a blender, add the chopped carrots, sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Blend until the mixture becomes completely smooth and creamy, with no carrot bits remaining. This unique Brazilian Carrot Cake step is what gives the crumb its uniform color and lightness.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the plain flour, baking powder, and salt. This quick whisking ensures even distribution, helping the cake rise perfectly and preventing any baking powder lumps from sneaking in.

Step 4: Combine and Create the Batter

Pour your luscious carrot mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Whisk together gently—just until no streaks of flour remain. Take care not to over-mix; this way, the crumb stays delicate instead of dense.

Step 5: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into your prepared tin and tap it gently on the counter to settle any bubbles. Bake for about 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top starts browning too quickly, loosely drape a piece of tinfoil over the cake to protect that stunning orange finish.

Step 6: Cool Completely

Once your Brazilian Carrot Cake is baked to perfection, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the tin for about 15 minutes. Then, turn it out onto a wire rack to finish cooling—this prevents sogginess and keeps the cake light.

Step 7: Make the Brigadeiro

Once the cake is completely cool, get that brigadeiro going. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the condensed milk, dark chocolate, double cream, unsalted butter, and a pinch of salt. Stir continuously until the chocolate and butter melt, then keep heating and stirring gently until thickened and glossy, but still pourable—think silky hot fudge.

Step 8: Glaze and Finish

Carefully flip your cake upside down on a wire rack set over a tray (this helps the tops stay perfectly level for glazing). Pour that luscious brigadeiro generously over the cake, letting it drip over the sides. Use a spoon or palette knife to smooth the top, then let it set for about 10 minutes before transferring to a serving plate. Now, slice and enjoy!

How to Serve Brazilian Carrot Cake

Garnishes

Let the brigadeiro glaze shine on its own, or add a sprinkle of chocolate shavings, a dusting of cocoa powder, or a few toasted chopped nuts for an extra-crunchy finish. A couple of pastel-colored sprinkles can be a playful nod to classic Brazilian celebrations!

Side Dishes

Pair a generous slice of Brazilian Carrot Cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, some fresh berries, or even a dollop of lightly whipped cream. A strong cup of black coffee (or a robust espresso) is the perfect companion for this sweet treat, especially in the afternoon.

Creative Ways to Present

For extra flare, try baking the cake in a bundt tin for beautiful ridges, or serve as individual mini-cakes in muffin tins topped with brigadeiro. For festive occasions, slice into small squares and present on a pretty platter, or even layer with extra brigadeiro and berries in a trifle glass for a modern twist!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Brazilian Carrot Cake keeps beautifully at room temperature for up to two days when covered well, though the brigadeiro does like to be cool—so for longer storage, pop it in the fridge (where it’ll last up to five days). Just be sure to bring it back to room temperature for the best texture before serving.

Freezing

You can freeze Brazilian Carrot Cake—simply wrap unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. It will keep for up to three months this way. Brigadeiro can be made fresh and poured on once the cake is thawed, ensuring the topping stays silky and luscious.

Reheating

If you like your cake a little warm, pop a slice into the microwave for just 10–15 seconds—this will bring back some of the just-baked charm and slightly melt the brigadeiro for pure indulgence. Avoid overheating so you don’t dry out the crumb or overcook the glaze.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of oil or flour for this recipe?

Absolutely! While vegetable oil yields traditional results, you can swap in sunflower or canola oil if preferred. For flour, stick to plain (all-purpose) for classic texture, but a good gluten-free blend works well, too—just make sure it’s a direct substitute for best results.

Why do I need to blend the carrots instead of grating them?

Blending creates a smoother batter and a wonderfully tender crumb, making Brazilian Carrot Cake distinct from other carrot cakes with their characteristic flecks. This method lets you enjoy all the sweet flavor without bits of carrot in each bite.

What does brigadeiro taste like, and can I use a different topping?

Brigadeiro is a deeply chocolatey, fudgy, and creamy Brazilian sweet, and it makes the perfect glaze for this cake. If you can’t find condensed milk, a simple chocolate ganache can be used, but brigadeiro really makes the cake shine with its unique, oozy texture and irresistible flavor.

Can I turn this into cupcakes or a layer cake?

Definitely! For cupcakes, simply divide the batter into muffin tins and bake for about 20–25 minutes. To make a layer cake, double the brigadeiro topping and sandwich it between two cake layers for a decadent centerpiece.

Is Brazilian Carrot Cake meant to be super sweet?

It is quite sweet, as is traditional for many Brazilian desserts—the balance comes from the dark chocolate in the brigadeiro topping. If you prefer things a bit less sweet, you can reduce the sugar by 25 to 50 grams without sacrificing texture.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to surprise your loved ones with something colorful, unique, and outrageously delicious, Brazilian Carrot Cake is a must-bake. Its airy crumb and addictive brigadeiro glaze will win over anyone at first bite—so don’t be surprised when you’re asked to make it again and again!

Print