The megastore’s newest bakery item has people debating whether raisins belong in carrot cake
One small ingredient is causing uproar among carrot cake lovers.
Eagle-eyed Costco shoppers saw that a new carrot cake landed in the bakery section refrigerator just in time for Easter. Kirkland Signature carrot bar cake, a three-layer, cream cheese iced treat, has the internet at war over one ingredient: raisins.
The 12-serving dessert (which goes for $19) includes raisins, walnuts and pineapple in the carrot cake, according to the store’s website. While those sound like classic ingredients to some, other sweets enthusiasts claim raisins have no place in the springtime treat.
Food influencer @photogami shared his review of the treat on Tuesday, March 25. “On initial inspection, it looks like all the toppings are well mixed and it is well baked with great ratios,” he said, noticing that the cake “sounds very moist” before spotting the controversial ingredient. “Wait, what is this? Oh no! It’s a raisin!”
Trader Joe’s Says They ‘Don’t Track Our Customers’ Like ‘Regular Grocery Stores’ Do
Despite liking the tang of the frosting and warm spice flavor, the social media star couldn’t get over the raisins. “One big downside for me is I don’t think carrot cake should have raisins in it,” he explained before giving the dessert a scathing 7.4 out of 10. Followers were split in the comment section of his video.
“Totally agree on the raisins, kind of ruins it,” one person agreed along with a slew of other followers. But others commenters didn’t understand the issue: “Nuts, raisins and pineapple belong in carrot cake. Sorry not sorry,” one person wrote. “Raisins are good. It’s pineapple in carrot cake that throws it off,” someone added.
Professional chefs’ carrot cake recipes do not give fans any clarity on whether raisins are a proper ingredient.
Ina Garten’s Carrot Cake with Ginger Mascarpone Frosting from her 2012 cookbook, Barefoot Contessa Foolproof, includes a cup of raisins. Meanwhile, Martha Stewart’s Carrot Cake omits the fruit, as does Alison Roman’s version. Duff Goldman leaves it up to the home cook to decide whether or not they want to include an optional ¾ cup of raisins in his carrot cake recipe.
