Carrot cake: the sweetness, the spice and that perfect velvety bite!

Think of the nature’s aroma grated on to your plate, in the form of freshly cut carrots. Now imagine a hint of spice in a mouthful of gooey sweetness. Now think of smooth creamy texture, with a little bit of crunch when you least expect it. That’s what a carrot cake makes!

Carrot cakes are the famous underdogs of the dessert world. Even those who boast having a sweet tooth often frown at the suggestion of carrot cakes, opting for lemon rolls or éclair bites instead. Even so, a carrot cake does not demand attention – neither in appearance, nor in taste – but earns it with every bite.

This might just be the one dessert that has it all – crunch, sponge, sugar, spice… And despite it all, carrot cake is not complicated. It is as perfect a companion with coffee as it is with spiced tea, and for the bolder ones, with freshly squeezed orange juice. [The citrus and spice combo is not for the weak hearted. It might also be a point of no return. Caution!]

If you have started to salivate by now, then it’s time to take your taste buds through a carrot cake journey in the federal capital Islamabad! Here are the top five places to try this delightfully delicious treat on a warm afternoon, or a cold night. It’s an all-season cake, after all!

People’s choice – Kitchen Cuisine

Let’s start safe. Kitchen Cuisine has pretty much mastered local palate. They serve a wide array of international foods, all tailored to the standard Pakistani taste buds. So for someone who is a carrot-cake amateur, Kitchen Cuisine might be a good option to start.

The hit and trial – Kaspas

Kaspas has become popular for its range of deserts, that go all the way from pancakes to shakes and from sundaes to bubble tea. One item on their menu, however, warrants a taste before anything else. You guessed it – carrot and walnut cake. This is second on the list, because it is also comparatively a safer choice for the carrot cake novices. Kaspas has a storm of flavors packed in their carrot cake and it is nuttier than a usual carrot cake because of the addition of walnuts. There is also a bitter undertone to the whole combo, which makes it a better snack than an outright dessert.

Now onto the good stuff – Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (CTBL)

Coffee Bean and Teal Leaf, colloquially called by its initials or simple coffee bean, has a hold on Islamabad like few other places. Their coffees are arguably the best in town – not so sold on the teas though, although Earl Grey is chef’s kiss perfect. Along with their coffees, their cakes and breads are also irresistibly delicious, and carrot cake is no exception. First off, they are generous with the cream cheese coating, so for those who enjoy cakes purely for their sweetness, the carrot cake is an absolute delight. Secondly, CBTL has been able to master that fluffy, airy texture even in carrot cakes despite the hard ingredients in the mix. This carrot cake is a reliable choice to recommend even for those who have a refined palate for this treat!

Even better – Contra Coffee Shop

Contra, despite having a prime location and offering some of the best-tasting foods in the city, is still rather unknown. Even those who might have visited or ordered from Contra might have been missing out on their desserts, especially their gooey goodness of carrot cake. Now we are moving towards the pro category, so let’s throw in the texture and aroma in the mix too. Contra’s carrot cake is as delicious to look at as it is to taste. When you get around to trying it, take your time to savour this treat. Use your fork with love and let the cake return the favour.

The crowned one – Robert’s Coffee

If there’s one carrot cake that would be impossible to leave on the plate, that’s this one. Each bite better than the last, offering a perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and velvety bite, that will have you reaching for more. Straight from the recipes of Finland, this carrot cake is meant for those who understand that a carrot cake is not meant to be just any cake – it is supposed to be a comforting slice offering the perfect blend of crumb and crunch, and tingling the sweet and spicy taste buds all at once. Robert’s has it perfected. All that is left is for you to try it…