Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

 

🥕 Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting: A Timeless Favorite That Never Disappoints

Carrot cake has a unique charm that few desserts can match. Moist, rich, warmly spiced, and topped with a silky layer of tangy cream cheese frosting — it’s the kind of cake that feels like a hug in every bite. Whether you serve it for birthdays, Easter, holidays, or just because, Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting never goes out of style.

It’s the perfect blend of homey and indulgent — loaded with freshly grated carrots, crunchy nuts, and a touch of spice, then topped with a frosting so good, it’s hard not to eat it straight from the bowl.

Let’s dig into what makes this cake so irresistible — and how you can make it in your own kitchen with simple ingredients and big flavor.

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🧁 Why You’ll Love This Carrot Cake

• Incredibly moist and tender thanks to oil and freshly grated carrots

• Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg for warmth

• Optional mix-ins like walnuts, pecans, or pineapple for added texture and flavor

• That frosting! Rich, creamy, and just sweet enough, cream cheese frosting is the crown jewel of this classic cake.

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🥄 Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 2 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1 cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)

• 4 large eggs

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 1/2 cups grated carrots (about 4–5 medium carrots)

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

• 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained (optional)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 2–2 1/2 cups powdered sugar (adjust to taste)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat and prep:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper. (You can also use a 9x13-inch pan for a sheet cake version.)

2. Mix dry ingredients:
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.

3. Mix wet ingredients:
   In a large mixing bowl, beat together the sugars, oil, eggs, and vanilla until well combined and smooth.

4. Combine:
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Fold in the grated carrots and any optional mix-ins like nuts or pineapple.

5. Bake:
   Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes (for round cakes) or 40–45 minutes (for a 9x13 pan), until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

6. Cool:
   Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

7. Make the frosting:
   In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, and beat until smooth and fluffy.

8. Frost and decorate:
   Frost the cooled cake layers with cream cheese frosting. If desired, garnish with chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or a light dusting of cinnamon.

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🎂 Tips & Variations

• Don’t skimp on the carrots: Use freshly grated carrots for the best moisture and texture. Pre-shredded ones are often too dry.

• Make it a layer cake: Add extra frosting between the layers and finish with a rustic swirl on top.

• Go nut-free: Simply leave out the nuts for an allergy-friendly version.

• Refrigerate leftovers: Because of the cream cheese frosting, store the cake in the fridge. Let it come to room temp before serving for best texture.

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🥰 Why This Cake Feels Like Home

Carrot cake has a way of bringing people together. It’s cozy, unpretentious, and packed with personality. The natural sweetness of the carrots, the warmth of the spices, the creamy frosting — it all comes together in a dessert that tastes like love.

Whether it’s your first time baking one or your fiftieth, this Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a reliable go-to that everyone will appreciate — from the most sophisticated dessert lovers to picky eaters looking for something sweet and simple.

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So go ahead — bake a cake that tastes like comfort, celebration, and a little bit of nostalgia.

You’ll be glad you did. 🧡