Hot Chocolate Carrot Cake

Blooming flowers, bunnies, and fresh produce - Spring is a wonderful time of year! And what says Spring better than a carrot cake? So grab a couple of those fresh carrots from the garden and whip up this delicious cake - with a hot chocolate twist!

Prep Time: 45 min

Cook Time: 30 min

Total Time: 1hr 15min (not including cooling time)

INGREDIENTS

Cake

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1.5 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup McSteven's European Dark Hot Chocolate
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups shredded carrots
• 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8oz package of cream cheese (softened)
• 3/4 cup butter (softened)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2-3 Tbsp heavy cream
• 4-5 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, McSteven's European Dark Hot Chocolate, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add eggs, oil, vanilla, and carrots, stirring until just combined.
4. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
5. Divide batter evenly between 2 greased 9-inch round cake pans.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. One cake may take longer than the other. 
7. Remove cakes from oven and cool in pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove cakes from pans and allow them to cool completely. 

1. For the icing, in large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Beat in vanilla and 2 tbsp heavy cream.
3. Add 4 cups of powdered sugar, beating until thick and creamy. Add additional powdered sugar and heavy cream to achieve a frosting that is thick yet spreadable, and won't run off the cake. 
4. To assemble, cut the curved top off of one cake. Ice top of cut cake with 1/3 of frosting. Place second cake on top of flat iced cake and spread 1/3 of icing on top. 
5. Spread remaining frosting over the sides of the cake and pipe on decorations if desired. Sprinkle on mini chocolate chips if desired.
6. Allow icing to set 20-30 minutes
7. Serve and enjoy!