Vegetables in a dessert? Done right, carrot cake is moist, rich and textured with the crunch of nuts and thin shreds of carrot, usually topped off with a sweet yet tangy cream cheese frosting. Done wrong, it can be a disaster. We sampled a handful of the top bakeries in town to find out which ones have the secret recipe.

 

 

For us, this was an easy pick. From the moist and compact cake with its wholesome blend of pecans and carrots and well-rounded flavors, to a good hit of cinnamon and a thin layer of sweet frosting, it certainly did the trick. 
Verdict: Carrot top.
Price: B150
245/12 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-101-1427. Second branch at 39/17 Suanphlu Rd., 02-286-1549. www.fb.com/holeybreadbkk

 

 

 

Nicely crumbly yet slightly bland, this slice was saved by its sugary frosting and heavy dose of pecans, resulting in a satisfyingly mellow concoction.
Verdict: Go nuts.
Price: B185
Multiple branches. Try Asoke Towers, Sukhumvit Soi 21 (Asoke), 02-664-2350. www.fb.com/kuppadeli

 

 

 

Last time we checked, carrot cake wasn’t bread smothered in a tangy cream cheese. We were surprised by the lack of flavor in this slice. The moist, rich piece of bread—excuse us, we mean cake—had a nice texture but it proved to be a carrot fake.
Verdict: A masterful disguise.
Price: B145
Multiple branches. Try G/F, Mahanakhon Cube, Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Rd., 02-234-1434. www.deandeluca.co.th
 

 

 

Though not too sweet, the thick frosting on this carrot cupcake could have been mistaken for a cake in and of itself. A bit dry and crumbly for our liking but the flavors gave each other a nice pat on the back.
Verdict: Carrot crumble.
Price: B120
G/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-129-4861. www.fb.com/clintonstreetbangkok

 

 

 

This could have easily been found on a shelf in a supermarket. The spongy and slightly oily slice lacked the satisfying crunchiness that should be hidden inside carrot cake. A sugary treat indeed, the tangy frosting could not make up for the disappointing lack of oomph. 
Verdict: Leave it on the shelf.
Price: B120
2/F, Exchange Tower, 388 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-663-4554. Second branch at Trinity Complex, Narathiwas Soi 3, 02-636-8685. www.fb.com/CHU.BKK