This ingredient adds texture, moisture, and flavor.

However, one ingredient stands out:fresh diced pineapple.

Many recipes call for a can of crushed pineapple, but Ive never tried one with fresh pineapple before.

A split image of Ina Garten and a slice of carrot cake

Simply Recipes / Getty Images ; Simply Recipes / Molly Adams

The pineapple is diced and folded into the batter right before baking.

After that, the rest of the cake came together very easily.

The only other change I made was tograte a little fresh gingerinto the batter.

Overhead shot of a carrot cake with a slice being pulled

Simply Recipes / Molly Adams

I had a bunch to use up, and I love the intense flavor it adds to a cake.

However, Inas cream cheese version was light, fluffy, and just the right amount of sweet.

I used almost the entire batch to frost the layer cake generously.

Overhead shot of a carrot cake with a slice cut out and placed on a plate next to it

Simply Recipes / Molly Adams

This cake would make the perfect Easter dessert adorned with dried pineapple rings or carrot roses.

I look forward to making it again to usher in spring!

A carrot cake slice on a plate with a fork cutting into the cake

Simply Recipes / Molly Adams