How to Make the Best-Ever Carrot Cake | Cooking the Comments | NYT Cooking

Get Vaughn’s Rum-Raisin Carrot Cake recipe: nyti.ms/4afUNLH
Vaughn is back, and he’s baking up a storm! In this installment of Cooking the Comments, he’s looking for the best version of carrot cake, as suggested by NYT Cooking subscribers. Watch to find out which techniques and changes come out on top!
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[@NYTCooking]

Get Vaughn’s Rum-Raisin Carrot Cake recipe: nyti.ms/4afUNLH

[@terichewbaccazulu5908]

Sugarologie is such a great resource! I've been following her channel for awhile now.

[@ElyseTager]

Hi, Vaughn. Welcome back, we have missed you!

[@emilyhawks7806]

Agreed. Vaughn, it has been too long. Make yourself more of a regular, AND someone needs to keep the reviewers "on task".

[@arshbehal6312]

Vaughn's sartorial choices are giving. So happy to see him. ❤️

[@beckyowens2586]

If the stand mixer doesn't spin a dime in the bowl, the paddle isn't set low enough. There's a screw under the hinge of a kitchen-aid to adjust it. It's in the manual.

[@rileylawson9958]

Great tip!

[@Pammellam]

Wow! Nice tip!

[@jaysonjarushewsky7744]

that's very helpful. thanks

[@TheOnlyOneSpeedfreak]

Id love to taste Vaughns cake, and whatever hes baking. 👀

[@jase_allen]

I first read that as "cakes," though I'm sure that would also be true.

[@stephennetu]

Vaughn is my favorite! I wish he had his own show somewhere!

[@samgrant83]

Good to see Vaughn again. I like orange juice and zest in the cake, and just walnuts. It usually works better with a mix of white sugar and light brown for me. All brown sugar can get a too chewy/brownie like.

[@MariaMavridoglou]

My 2cents worth … 1 tablespoon pomegranate syrup … does something amazing. Helen Rennie included this in her recipe.

[@nancyblair6187]

Vaughn Vreeland + Dorie Greenspan is truly a match made in heaven. Not one of these variations looks bad!

[@elizabethortecho9001]

Always enjoy Vaughn’s cooking experiments- this was another great one. His charm and cooking skills are a wonderful combination. Can’t wait for the next one!

[@SamGiles]

Vaughn, thank you for being your fabulous self! Great video, it's fascinating to learn about the differing variations, especially when it comes to carrot cake!

[@giacomobras]

We love a moist cake too, Vaughn 🤣

[@ChrisBell-InTheMomentReels]

*clutches pearls*

[@jase_allen]

Get the man a glass of water. The thirst is real.

[@windlessoriginals1150]

Big fan of Vaughn.

[@hisbigal]

Someone gave me grief many years ago about my carrot cake, because it didn’t have nuts and coconut. I’m allergic to them, so they’re going to be excluded because I’m not interested in dying stupidly.

[@jettabartholomew1118]

I am 76.... Never Ever have had carrot cake with coconut???????

[@danbev8542]

Being allergic to nuts certainly gives you good reason to leave them out! I love nuts, but am willing to do without to keep you alive and well!

[@ichhabekeineahnung2462]

How dare you only think about your life on the line?! What about the enjoyment of the food for others.

[@vihanjain6975]

@@ichhabekeineahnung2462 also a great argument for veganism

[@jettabartholomew1118]

@danbev8542 I am Not allergic to nuts

[@kamnakartik4678]

This is my dream job! After working in kitchens for many years, it sounds SO fun to just be able to tweak and test recipes to perfect them! ❤

[@nikksterr627]

I understand the purpose of this series (which is fun! And helpful!) but my gold standard is Claire Saffitz’ carrot cake. My god. It’s amazing.

[@tjberrian]

Totally agree! Soaking the carrots in buttermilk ahead of time to tenderize them before adding them to the mix is a game changer. She’s a brilliant recipe developer.

[@bngr_bngr]

I can do with out the carrots.

[@fgferraro]

I came here to say the same thing, with her brown butter cream cheese frosting!

[@jenniferestes5293]

​@@bngr_bngr then it's not really a carrot cake. Which is fine, I like a nice spice cake and that is basically what a carrot cake is, spice cake with carrots.

[@bngr_bngr]

@@jenniferestes5293 that was the only way our mom could get us to eat a carrot cake. Still love the frosting.

[@lorassorkin]

Erin McDowell's Whipped Cream-Cream Cheese Frosting is a game changer for Carrot Cake. So much lighter, and it tastes even better than traditional Butter-Cream Cheese Frosting.

[@kkattrap]

I like to swap in other soft cheeses in place of the generic philly (great for cheesecakes too). I made one the other day with about 1/3 mascarpone 2/3 farmers cheese in place of generic. I've used sheep as well as cow based cheeses... gives the complexity and sourness of the sour cream version but still has structure. I don't have a real recipe, anything with fancier soft cheeses and sugar seems to be a win. I'm on team pineapple.

[@ihikefar]

I always read the NYT Cooking comments! Lots of wisdom there.

[@esmeobrien7517]

I just love Vaughn he is so personable and of course talented !

[@anam.delcampo8634]

Just made this cake and I have to say it is delicious, incredible texture, super light and very “spicy” in the best way. My only swaps were stem ginger instead of candied ginger, which I put into the middle frosting layer instead of the top, and vanilla extract instead of the rum raisins because 1. Raisins are gross (sorry not sorry Vaughn) and 2. I didn’t want to wait 8 hours for them to soak. I love the addition of lemon zest in the frosting and will definitely keep using this recipe in the future.

[@ELEKTRARE]

My Vaughn is back for more recipes so good so luxurious carrot 🥕 cake 🍰 yum 😋

[@danbev8542]

I love brown sugar, pineapple, lots of nuts, spices - less sugar. Lots of lemon in the cream cheese frosting!

[@aninapolina]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this recipe test and refit. I'd been looking specifically at Dorie Greenspan's recipe a month ago and wanted pineapple, rum raisins, ginger, and coconut and walnuts. You did it all and I will definitely be making your version with the brown butter-cream cheese frosting.

[@Otschboh]

I really enjoyed this format !

[@rachelstark2391]

I would love to see you and your grandmum together again. Those home videos were great! Cheers, Upstate NY

[@maframacedo91]

You have to try the Brazilian version of carrot cake!! Look for Paola Carrosella’s recipe

[@corinnecox6855]

Yes! My Brazilian mother in law makes this! Brazil knows how to do cakes and sweets! 😋

[@leilaniaki344]

Vaughn is back!!!! 🎉

[@scottsummers4234]

Its been forever Vaughn!!!

[@DodieJacobi]

So fun! Again. Love this series and Vaughn is a perfect informative entertainer. Look forward to trying the VV riff.

[@lala_bee]

I like this series and glad to see Vaughn. ❤

[@ulyssesishere]

i love love love this series ❤

[@juanpabloamorochod.752]

love this series

[@DeepCaseExorcisms]

Nuts and coconut flakes, yum. Also the lemon juice!!! ❤ It

[@aeolia80]

I would like to for once have a carrot cake that actually tastes carrots. So I'm super tempted to do Sugarologie's recipe where she does a carrot puree from roasted carrots.

[@kelliehall6582]

This was a great video! I love the idea of cooking the comments section. I hope there are more in this same series.

[@chandana.s9024]

Vaughn, pls keep coming back

[@Fabdanc]

I know you have all missed Vaughn, but we were on our honeymoon. He doesn't know it or remember it, but it definitely and totally for sure happened and wasn't entirely fabricated in my mind.

[@harutran4703]

I have been waiting for a carrot cake video! Super happy to end my Friday by watching Vaughn be super entertaining while making my favourite cake 🤩also i love raisins and walnuts/pecans in my carrot cake

[@ABlueDahlia]

Helen Rennie's version is pretty dang good, and the video is very enjoyable to watch, as well.

[@daffodilluci]

I thought for a second Vaughn looks like the male version of Shawn Johnson East and now I can’t unsee it???

[@omnoir]

Would pay $150 for Vaughn”s version.

[@bohorustica8545]

Great video. I add cinnamon, nutmeg and ground ginget always and less sugar. I am into the pineapple, sometimes the tidbits ( cut in half size) if I can't get crushed. For my frosting more butter less icing sugar , cream butter and cc then add icing sugar til I get right texture for spreading , always a spladh of vanilla. :))

[@Jay.1106]

Isn’t Vaughn giving Dan Levy vibes? Love to see them on the show together. ❤

[@brentonwalters]

There's over 600g of sugar in the lower sugar version?!? Damn, dog. Take it easy. Loved all the testing, and seeing all the testers.

[@naomichristian1099]

VAUGHN! I really enjoy your videos.😊

[@AllGreyEverything]

I flavored my grandma's sour cream pound cake recipe with grated carrots, reduced carrot juice and spices. I've never made a regular carrot cake since. It's different, but it's so much better.

[@user-mb8cm3vq7g]

روووعة ماشاءالله تبارك الرحمن اكل زوين الله يعطيك الصحة ❤🎉🎉🎉

[@goeshen4359]

YYYYYAAAAYYYYY VAUGHN!!! ❤❤❤❤❤ Long time no see!

[@ashe1317]

vaughn AND carrot cake??? these are a few of my favorite things🎶

[@yaddalater]

Ok fine I’ll make carrot cake .. it is my fav cake 😊

[@ezrakyazze6179]

Adriana from Sugarologie low-key deserves a culinary food science Nobel prize💫.

[@robbicu]

Vaughn, you have the best job, I really envy you! All my life I've had shitty jobs and all I really wanted to do was cook for my friends.

[@kenken6550]

I would like to see Vaughn cook in a tank top.

[@hectorpadilla9022]

Vaughn I saw you at the Bjork show! Hope you had fun!

[@MissMarilynDarling]

store bought frosting for the win

[@sharim]

OMG I’m overwhelmed with carrot cake. After watching this it’s gonna take me some time before I can actually eat any carrot cake!

[@user-uh6jm8hd5l]

I don't even care for carrot cake 🤫 but I am watching for Vaughn.

[@vivalatamtam]

Aww I was hoping he would roast the carrots. I'm curious how that could change the texture and enhance the flavor

[@alexq1332]

Im from germany, next to switzerland and we make the best carrot cake...

[@AndreyRubtsovRU]

England

[@totuldelicios]

Wow, how delicious!👍 Thank you very much colleague! Come and visit us!🥰

[@phoenixmysticised88]

I was hoping you would have bumped up the spice quotient in your variations: Cardamom, Ginger, Cloves come to mind.

[@sarahwatts7152]

I'm not even hungry and I want this so bad. We do have some carrots knocking around...

[@MWOC]

Sehr schön Video 😊😉🩶

[@heatherwinter6979]

I always watch a Vaughn video twice. First time for entertainment second time for the education.

[@Yotop-ch3wc]

I just feel like if you add pineapple it isn’t a carrot cake anymore. To me, it’s like you’re making a version of a Hummingbird cake. I love pineapple but when it comes to my FAVORITE cake (Carrot), I have to keep it more classic. I like carrot, raisins, walnuts, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger and sometimes coconut. And of course a cream cheese frosting. I like the white chocolate addition AND the rum soaked raisins 😋

[@Kokeshiflower]

Vaughn is great, carrot cake is great.

[@emilyd9676]

Not a big fan of carrot cake but a big fan of Vaughn!

[@allythearts5439]

Cream cheese delicious 😋

[@geoffreyblackmer]

God, I love him 💖💖💖

[@GregCurtin45]

Just an observation on Dorrie Greenspan's recipe: My Changes. 1) Raisins are soaked in rum; rum is added to the cake 2) All additions (coconut, carrots, pineapple, & pecans) are lightly coated in flour so they suspend and not sink. 3) Cinnamon, all=spice, and nutmeg. 4) Always add lemon zest to the cream cheese frosting (and frost the entire cake!!) 5) Always make the cake one day in advance, wrap, chill, and then frost the next day.

[@ayugee]

Vaughn, can you share where you got the Adele's tshirt please??

[@ahhhlindsanityyy]

❤❤❤

[@jaysonjarushewsky7744]

I get older and Vaughn gets younger. How is that fair?

[@miseentrope]

Cake bite flights with frosting pairings? Can we please get a cake shop like this, please? (Or, at least make this a wedding thing?)

[@kimberleypowell7719]

Vaaaauuuuughn!!!

[@ma__mo]

after all of that required effort and you still kept the raisins...let's just call that a choice!

[@nicholastilford1744]

Pecan... like Vaughn...😜

[@aliciaf1055]

I usually prefer a Swiss style carrot cake, which is really different, but this looks very good - I don't think coconut or pineapple belong in a carrot cake.

[@lisabieler]

My uncle (whose family had pecan orchards) always said, "The pee-can is what you keep under your bed when you don't want to go to the outhouse at night."

[@ravenwing263x]

Hell yeah I love sugarology

[@maroinebdaa81]

Vaughn , get Claire for so more videos please , and maybe Claire King two lol

[@lortiz3570]

Applesauce Carrot Cake is the only way!

[@mamakimdelaney8970]

In the 70’s pineapple was put in carrot cake for moistness.

[@ricromrec]

I’m interested to know how Honey Ginger Carrot got side-stepped over…

[@actuallyhusksofcorn3028]

If I comment will we get more videos of Vaughn?

[@mrbear1302]

I think he ate at least one whole cake during all of the tastings.

[@SusanSlattery]

I would skip pineapple and totally frost the outside. Frosting is the best part of any cake.

[@yazdanysoto5690]

Vaughn is getting hotter and hotter. He is so handsome.

[@joyharper5448]

Im not a fan of coconut oil in cooking. Im not sure about baking. I cook more than I bake anything, hopefully in the future ill get to bake more.

[@RonKoppelmann]

Raisins, you brute

[@PlantNative]

Pineapple in a carrot cake…no. That’s a Hummingbird Cake.

[@Deltaenthalpy]

Yeah that’s what I was thinking. All these people trying turn it into hummingbird cake

[@HLDCO]

Soaking raisins in water?!? Sacrilege! Soak raisins in hot orange juice or hot orange juice laced with brandy. There you go.

[@ma__mo]

coconut >>>>>>>>>>>> raisins btw

[@tangerinedrums]

lmao baking sorda

[@maremacd]

What caused all the cakes to sink in the center? How can you prevent that from happening?

[@MissMarilynDarling]

highly recommend To die for Carrot cake look it up its amazing :)

[@kalyns7198]

SHUT UP HONEY, VAUGHN IS ON

[@miseentrope]

🤣

[@bngr_bngr]

I love carrot cake without carrots, pineapple, walnuts, and raisins.

[@karenavey2183]

Vaughn, I don’t want to use oil! Butter ok?

[@geoffreyblackmer]

Just out of curiosity, why no oil?

[@karenavey2183]

I actually taste it and don’t like the taste at all!

[@marrietta1058]

@@karenavey2183are you using a neutral oil? If so I’m genuinely shocked that you can taste it.