The Only Carrot Cake Recipe You will Need

This year for my birthday I decided to tackle one of my all time favorite cakes, carrot cake. There is something about the spicy cake smothered with cream cheese frosting that makes my taste buds smile every time. Not all carrot cake recipes are created equal. I don’t like raisins and pineapple in my cake so finding a recipe that keeps the cake moist is a must. If it was up to my kids, I would just serve them a bowl of the cream cheese frosting and they would be satisfied. My family is more traditionalist and prefer chocolate or yellow cake. They were not that thrilled at first when I made a German Chocolate Cake for my birthday last year. Next time you are in the mood to make a cake, branch out and make this ultimate carrot cake recipe, you won’t be sorry. 

Carrot Cake Recipe

Since it was my birthday cake, I elicited my youngest to help make it. He was on spring break and he loved grating carrots in the food processor. 

Don’t you just love all the fresh ingredients that go into a carrot cake recipe. The bright orange carrots and the crunchy nuts really make this cake special. 

I used two  9 inch cake pans to make this carrot cake recipe. The batter is thick but it puffs up beautifully in the oven. Can’t believe I did not have a picture of the cake before it was frosted. But you get how to frost a cake. 

I decided to add a little coconut on the outside of the cake instead of inside. Really just for looks if anything else.

Here is a slice of this delicious and hearty carrot cake. This recipe made a generous amount of cream cheese frosting so it is loaded with that extra sweetness my family loves. 

I know you are ready to take a bite aren’t you. Carrot cakes are filled with veggies, so it’s healthy right? I love a cold piece for breakfast too!

The only Carrot Cake recipe you will need. Of course unless you want to make these Carrot Cake Cupcakes!

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Only Carrot Cake Recipe you Will need

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

25 mins

Total Time

40 mins

 

A spice cake filled with carrots and lathered in cream cheese frosting. Only Carrot Cake Recipe you Will need

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: baked goods

Keyword: Carrot Cake Recipe

Servings: 10

Calories: 714 kcal

Author: Maria @ Close to Home

Ingredients

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup applesauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 large eggs _room temperature
• 3 cups finely grated carrots
• ¾ cup chopped walnuts

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

• 2 sticks 1 cup, unsalted butter, softened
• 2 - 8 oz bricks of cream cheese softened
• ½ tsp salt
• 1½ tsp vanilla extract
• 5-6 cups powdered sugar
• 1½ cups sweetened flaked coconut optional

Instructions

MAKE THE CAKE

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line bottoms of 2 9" cake pans with parchment paper and spray sides lightly with baking spray. Set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, add the flour and baking soda and whisk to combine. Set aside.
3. To the bowl of a stand mixer, add oil, sugar, applesauce, salt, eggs, and spices and beat well.
4. Slowly add in flour mixture and beat to combine.
5. Stir in the carrots and nuts.
6. Divide batter into prepared baking pans and bake for about 30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
7. Let cakes cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

MAKE THE FROSTING

1. Add butter and cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until creamy.
2. Add vanilla and salt, beat to combine.
3. Slowly add in powdered sugar, beating well until spreading consistency

ASSEMBLE THE CAKE

1. Spread frosting over the top of one layer of the cake, then top it with the second layer of cake. Spread frosting over the top and sides of the cake.
2. Keep refrigerated until about 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Only Carrot Cake Recipe you Will need

Amount Per Serving

Calories 714 Calories from Fat 171

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 19g 29%

Saturated Fat 10g 50%

Cholesterol 79mg 26%

Sodium 675mg 28%

Potassium 324mg 9%

Total Carbohydrates 129g 43%

Dietary Fiber 4g 16%

Sugars 103g

Protein 10g 20%

Vitamin A 130.3%

Vitamin C 3.3%

Calcium 4.6%

Iron 13.9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

What do you add to your Carrot Cake recipe? 

Other Great cake recipes you might enjoy. 

Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe

Dark Chocolate Cake with Strawberry Filling

Dark Chocolate Cake with Strawberry Filling

Chocolate Chip Banana Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting